What is the cost
What is the cost
Just what does it cost to own your own database of maps? You said it was expewnsive, I was just wondering HOW expensive?
I meant the development cost. The price of commercial products (ESRI, Mapquest) implies how much it costs to develop such a system.
To build our own map server, the only choice seems to be the open source 'MapServer' project (http://mapserver.gis.umn.edu), plus the TIGER/LINE map data. MapServer doesn't automatically support TIGER AFAIK. Even if it does, TIGER data is low efficient for real-time query - imagine dealing with 4GB data (whole US) for each geocoding. I am not sure how long it takes to set up a server based on 'MapServer' and TIGER, a few months? 1 year? Additionally TIGER data is likely out of date because it updates every a couple of years. The latest update was in 2000. (NavTech updates every few months).
Buying map data from NavTech or GDT is not practical for us for the same reason of cost.
All in all, hope you get a picture of the situation.
To build our own map server, the only choice seems to be the open source 'MapServer' project (http://mapserver.gis.umn.edu), plus the TIGER/LINE map data. MapServer doesn't automatically support TIGER AFAIK. Even if it does, TIGER data is low efficient for real-time query - imagine dealing with 4GB data (whole US) for each geocoding. I am not sure how long it takes to set up a server based on 'MapServer' and TIGER, a few months? 1 year? Additionally TIGER data is likely out of date because it updates every a couple of years. The latest update was in 2000. (NavTech updates every few months).
Buying map data from NavTech or GDT is not practical for us for the same reason of cost.
All in all, hope you get a picture of the situation.
AccuTracking Support
support(at)accutracking.com
support(at)accutracking.com
MS Streets & Trips Page mentioned Import Data Wizard - Import data and contacts from Microsoft Access, Excel, Outlook or text files. Contacts show up right on the map in just a few easy steps. Our site now provides a data download link. Maybe manually importing data will work? Try if you have the software?
AccuTracking Support
support(at)accutracking.com
support(at)accutracking.com
I saw that feature, and assumed a manual import would work... what would be slick is an automatic interface.... so instead of an attached GPS, you have an attached connection to Accutracking over the net. This gives Accutracking an avenue for future revenue, having the ability to push information to the connected map client and having a way of sending sponsored ad's (oh the horror!)....
I just do not have the program to try...
I just do not have the program to try...
Mapping interface
I have used DeLorme Street Atlas for several years, both on the desktop and on a mobile device with GPS. The GPS function works well and I agree that a direct interface to a user's own mapping software would be cost-effective and practical. There must be a way to replicate the data stream from the GPS phone and push it to the mapping program. Maybe this would reduce bandwidth requirements for AccuTracking, compared to the other Nextel partners and also keep user costs low.
I use MapPoint 2004 the same way. It is slicker than snot itself. Download the CSV file from the handy Accutracking website, open MapPoint and press "ctrl-I" then just follow the prompts. You can see the track made by the phone and save it.
You can even get a bit of automation going if you save the CSV file in the same spot everytime and use the same MapPoint file. then you just open the MapPoint file and press "shift-F9" to update the data. Microsoft data can be as handy as duct tape sometimes! Not a spit shine finish but a far cry from ploting coords on a paper map
You can even get a bit of automation going if you save the CSV file in the same spot everytime and use the same MapPoint file. then you just open the MapPoint file and press "shift-F9" to update the data. Microsoft data can be as handy as duct tape sometimes! Not a spit shine finish but a far cry from ploting coords on a paper map
ickybuck