In a new partnership set to challenge the local mapping market, Geographic Information Service (GIS), part of ICT integration giant Comparex Africa has teamed-up with MobiTrak, a global provider of navigation software, to offer HandyMAP, affordably priced navigation software to both SA companies and consumers.
GIS provided the local geographical data for the new HandyMAP software enabling technology partner MobiTrak to provide detailed map and routing software for the entire geography of South Africa, accessible via either a conventional PC, laptop or a Pocket PC.
According to GIS Regional Manager, Irvine Aitcheson, "there was strong strategic fit between the two companies, GIS already supplies navigation data for BMW's inbuilt navigation systems while MobiTrak is one of the leading global providers of navigation software, outselling it's competition and providing the widest feature range."
Kun-cheng Tu, Senior Product Manager for MobiTrak's African region says, "GIS was a natural choice for us as they are leaders in local geographic data. MobiTrak was one of the first to market its navigational software and systems in Taiwan three years ago. Since then the company has grown to map and cover 38 countries of the world, including the major cities of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe and North America. Partnering with GIS Comparex Africa is enabling us to now offer cutting edge navigation software to SA businesses and consumers."
Atchison says the software offers complete South African map coverage (including Lesotho and Swaziland) to 'road warriors', couriers, transport drivers, messengers, executives and of course tourists visiting the country. It also provides fixed speed camera warnings for motorists, ensuring they reduce speed and consequently prevent traffic fines.
"The fact that one feature of the software enables drivers to avoid getting speeding fines means the technology would probably pay for itself in double quick time. The software is both useful and price competitive and includes over 2 million points of interest, real-time auto navigation or the ability for hard copy maps to be printed out for wherever in SA you want to go. This technology is set to overturn the conventional mapping and routing market because it offers cheap, sustained access to clear visual directions for any geographical spot in the country, whether for business or leisure."
Features of the software also include automatic re-routing -enabling a motorist to by-pass rush hour traffic, voice prompting - for hands free navigation while driving, GPS tracking, searching by keyword, city or intersection, auto map rotation, distance measurement, multiple zoom in/out, contour mapping, printing support, and the ability for the user to share their discovered points of interest, routes and tracks with others.
The applications of the software are very diverse, says Aitcheson:
"From a Personal Assistant always being able to print out an exact map for her boss's business meeting to exact routing tracking for trucking companies, including an optimum time and petrol consumption target per route - to a medical rep being able to select and download target companies in his sales area - this technology is very reasonably priced at under R700 for a PC or laptop and can save it's owner both time and money in a number of ways. This technology means you will never have to ask for directions again and also save a fortune in traffic fines, concludes Aitcheson."
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MobiTrak South Africa (2002) was formed as a result of year's worth of extensive product research, development and testing at our brother company in Taiwan, Maction Technologies. We specialise in the development and delivery of comprehensive navigation packages at very competitive prices to several international markets, and we are proud to offer our product to the South African market.
For more information, please visit www.mobitrak.com
Comparex Africa
Comparex Africa is the leading integrator of ICT-based business solutions that makes its clients more successful. Based on a strong customer-centric approach, Comparex Africa delivers technology-business solutions from the full range of competencies within its group that align its clients' strategic and operational business needs.
Comparex Africa's client-centric structure stems from its Systems Integration Model, a methodology that allows for flexibility and close client relationships.
Offering business solutions that address all areas of its clients business, Comparex Africa services organisations within the corporate and large enterprise, government and parastatal markets as well as within the medium enterprise sector in all vertical markets.
As an organisation with its roots firmly embedded in Africa, Comparex Africa reflects a cultural diversity, relying on the unique contribution of each of its skilled employees to succeed. Transformation is an overriding business imperative for Comparex Africa and as such it has dedicated resources from across the organisation to drive employment equity, economic empowerment and social investment programmes.
For more information on Comparex Africa visit: www.comparexafrica.co.za
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