Mapping / Navigation / GIS Solutions - iStart.co.nz

Welcome to the Mapping / Navigation / GIS solutions research pavilion. Below you will find information from most of the leading vendors of these solutions and services in New Zealand, including contact details, case studies, articles, demos, web links, brochures and white papers to assist you research and locate the best solution for your organisation. Check also the iStart Diary for local seminars on this subject. All vendors showcased below will be glad to assist with your enquiries.

Solution Providers

Eagle Technology is New Zealand’s leading provider of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) solutions with over 250 installed sites and over 1,000 installed licenses.
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Overview

Mapping – Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

The core of any technology-based navigation or tracking system is the mapping database – or more correctly geospatial database – known as the Geographical Information System or GIS. GIS provides the relevance to the coordinates that GPS systems provide, but also extend beyond the typical street maps to handle layers of data such as buildings, routes, territories (etc) onto terrestrial maps. It is the GIS application that handles all the underlying database controls and functionality to allows these layers to be added and presented back to the user.

Local Government Authorities have long used GIS systems to map survey data to manage planning and development activities, but increasingly utilities, emergency services, postal agencies and insurers are utilising the depth of functionality that GIS systems offer to deliver improved services.

Navigation – Vehicle Navigation, Fleet Tracking, Supply Chain Tracking, Visibility

The proliferation of consumer devices that provide in-vehicle navigation tools has resulted in significant growth in the use of navigation systems which used to be the exclusive domain of air and shipping lines.  At the same time these systems have been applied to business in management of truck and courier fleets to provide both centralised control and visibility, and to provide customers with the ability to track their consignments.

Fleet Tracking systems are typically packaged applications that incorporate the GPS and GIS technologies for ease of application into business environments. They normally consist of:

  • a GPS unit (with basic through to sophisticated measurement and telemetry tools)
  • integrated communication device to send / receive data via a cellular network
  • a central GIS or mapping server
  • a desktop mapping application – providing the activity tracking and visibility in a map view
  • web based access to track individual consignments

With a single view of the location of trucks, couriers, vessels etc, the planning and assignment of jobs or deliveries becomes a much more intuitive and accurate process – which reduces down time and improves accuracy for dispatchers and drivers. Customer Service can also be enhanced with accurate ETA on deliveries, or proactive notification where delays might occur. Many applications also have rules-based logic that provide for business rules to alert operators where exceptions occur such as late deliveries, break downs, speeding drivers, or “geo-fence” boundaries being breached.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

GPS systems use communication with satellite positioning to pinpoint the location – in latitude and longitude mapping coordinates - of the GPS transponder - to within a square metre. GPS transponders size has also reduced down to micro size – fully functional GPS units are now being incorporated as components in cell phones, and costs have reduced significantly meaning the application of GPS in wider business applications is becoming more economic.

GPS units now also provide integration with telemetry data such as speed, temperature, humidity etc.

Integrated Supply Chain Tracking

With GPS and GIS providing the backdrop for tracking, mapping and visibility services, and with RFID (refer to the SCM/RFID/B2B eCommerce pavilion) providing localised tracking at the product or package level inside the warehouse or distribution centre, true supply chain visibility becomes a reality. Distributors can now literally say “we’ll txt you if that delivery date changes” and be confident that the system will fulfil the promise. The fully integrated supply chain is regarded as the end game of most logistics companies as it allows them to confidently offer added value services above the competition.

Articles/Industry Reports

Every map tells a story

You could call them maps with attitude. They’re maps with business intelligence information overlaid on them and they can provide rich insights into business performance...
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Fleet management shifts up a gear

Advances in GPS technologies and location based services have made fleet tracking solutions more feature-rich and affordable. So what do you get for your money today and how are organisations taking advantage of the technology to gain a competitive edge?
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Field force automation delivers the goods for courier companies Despite encountering a range of problems with early hardware, two of New Zealand's largest logistics companies have remained firmly committed to mobile technology.
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Making tracks... Security, productivity, cost savings and fleet logistical management are all key drivers behind the latest range of vehicle tracking solutions – David McNickel profiles the options.
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Vehicle tracking: dollars, sense and big brother

Rocketing oil prices are making vehicle tracking systems easier to justify in financial terms, but what will your drivers think? We asked three vehicle tracking solution providers to state their business case.
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