Ideal for route planning, drivetime analysis, vehicle tracking and geodemographics

MAPMECHANICS, the leading specialist in digital map data and GIS (geographic information systems), has boosted the number of African countries for which it offers HERE vector (scalable) map data.

HERE mapping from Mapmechanics consists of street-level vector map and includes major highways, main roads and also some minor roads and city streets.

A key feature of the data is that its structure is consistent across many countries, enabling users to adopt the same analytical and display strategies from one country to another.

The extended availability makes it much easier for businesses to develop computer applications such as telematics and vehicle tracking in the additional countries, and for activities such as route planning and drivetime analysis.

Because it is in a standard and widely-recognised format, the mapping lends itself well to use with other data such as traffic speed and density where this is available. It can also be used for techniques such as reverse geocoding (finding a location by its coordinates).

The mapping also enables users to add a sense of place to activities such as geodemographic studies, store location analysis, leaflet distribution territories or depot management, and ensures that users can overlay just the features they need on shaded maps.

The new African countries added to the Mapmechanics portfolio are Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of the Congo, São Tome and Principe.

Mapmechanics already offers HERE mapping for many of the more prominent African countries, including for instance Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa and Tunisia. Altogether around two dozen African countries are now covered, and more will be added in future.

HERE mapping is just one of a very wide range of mapping products offered by Mapmechanics for the UK and the world, all of which can be obtained directly from the company or through its transactional web site, www.allmapdata.com.

As with all the company’s data products, Mapmechanics’ mapping is supplied with its Process Promise, under which data can be pre-configured for the format and application required by the user, saving the preparatory work that might otherwise be required.

Source: GISCafé