Feb/March 2007

An online version of the map&guide desktop route-planning system has been launched under the name map&guide base, and is offered to UK users in association with partner Advanced Planning Systems.

It is aimed at fleets of up to ten vehicles, and can be downloaded from the company's Web site. There is even a free basic version, which is due to incorporate a live UK traffic feed for real-time routing. Commercial users pay a subscription based on the features they actually use.

In essence, the system is said to offer users a range of functions from the company's established products on demand wherever there is an Internet connection. It is said to perform better than conventional online route-planning engines.

Whilst the application itself is installed on the user's own PC, the map data is held remotely on the map&guide server, and only downloaded when required - a feature said to keep it fully up to date.

 

Initially the portal offers a vehicle manager, address book, alternative routing, cost calculation and satellite navigation device links.

An Outlook import function offering integration with other systems will be available from early 2007, and Europe-wide toll cost calculation will be on offer later. Further functions such as road restrictions data for large vehicles and mobile phone position tracking are due in mid- to late 2007.