The current enthusiasm for Geographic Information Systems is seeing intense effort and resource being devoted to digital conversion and subsequent creation, of a wide range of databases. Unfortunately in many instances little, if any, attention is given at planning stage to an equally significant factor - their maintenance. Without proper in-built provision for this from project inception,
... [Show full abstract] remedial action at a later stage may well prove impossible. This is particularly relevant in the case of a long term programme where maintenance must move forward in tandem with continuing digital conversion. -from Author