If you have a routing or fleet management system, here's 10 reasons why you need NationalMap data

Apr 15, 2021 4:18:20 PM / by Andrew Smith

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We’ve all read (perhaps with varying degrees of amusement) the seemingly endless stories of epic GPS fails. This compilation of disaster from “The Travel” website is a favourite, as it covers such a range of instances where things can “go wrong”.

Ultimately though, the lesson remains; use your common sense and ensure you have the very best underlying data available.

Of course, if you work in the computer, tech or data space, then you will no doubt be familiar with the concept of “rubbish in, rubbish out (RIRO)”, or GIGO (if you’re American)…

You will also likely have a more than passing familiarity with (if not outright hero worship!) the great Charles Babbage. Babbage invented the first mechanical computer, the “Difference Engine” and he is also credited with the following superlative quotation:

“On two occasions I have been asked, ‘Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?’ ... I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question.”

While I may be somewhat biased, I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Babbage on this. Good data is the foundation of all good decision-making. It regularly amazes me that businesses will spend a fortune on sophisticated software and technology solutions, only to power those systems and platforms with poor data.

Rubbish in, rubbish out.

Additionally, in my professional experience, nowhere is this more true than when working with road and transport data in the areas of fleet management, routing and dispatch. The smartest technologies in the world can all be undone by poor data, totally undermining the success or usefulness of a project or application and destroying business value in the process.

When it comes to Road & Transport data a laid back “near enough is good enough” approach just doesn’t cut the mustard. Whether it’s the safe transport of dangerous chemicals on our roads, or the safe carriage of visiting VIP dignitaries, only the best data available is good enough.

So, if you’re working in road transport, fleet management routing or dispatch here’s my list of the top 10 reasons why you need NationalMap Road & Transport as your underlying data.

  1. NationalMap are THE local, location data experts – we know New Zealand is the best place in the world, but for most global data providers New Zealand is perceived as a small market and therefore investment in truly accurate local data is not high on their agenda. 

  2. Currency of data - NationalMap data is constantly monitored and maintained by a local team of data experts, with monthly updates and additions.

  3. Not just speed limits, but average speeds - this goes to the completeness of the NationalMap Roads & Transport dataset. Speed limit data for roads is great (and of course included in NationalMap) – but understanding the speed you can ACTUALLY TRAVEL on that road is golden.

  4. NationalMap’s standardised road names and abbreviations (as well as aliases) minimise the risk of confusion or mislabelling and misdirection.

  5. The ability to integrate NationalMap Roads & Transport data with any routing, GIS, or CAD application means you can hit the ground running- no set-up, configuration or conversion headaches.

  6. NationalMap have been doing this for over 30 years and we believe in enabling our customers to go above and beyond with their projects. Which means, we’re here to work alongside you, building a solution that complements your specific needs.

  7. We’re a local kiwi owned business, if you ever have a question about the data – just pick up the phone and speak to a LOCAL data expert. Try doing that with the global data providers!

  8. Real-world road alignment - All NationalMap roads and carriageways are aligned to within two metres of their real-world centreline positioning.

  9. NationalMap gives you a complete, single view of a road’s risk profile – including alignment, surface, gradient, curves, geometries and more, allowing you to set appropriate speed limits or add extra signage, or track and identify driver performance.

  10. Comprehensive Points of Interest (POI) data - distance to supermarkets, petrol stations, shopping centres, pharmacies, postal services, cinemas etc – critical when carrying visiting VIP passengers.

There you have just 10 reasons, but believe me, there’s plenty more where that came from.

Your fleet management or routing system can be a high performance tool, and in the same way you wouldn’t put low octane fuel into a Bugatti Veyron, don’t put low quality data into your route and fleet systems!

If any of these 10 reasons touch a nerve, then get in touch with us today to better understand why NationalMap data is the only serious choice for powering your fleet management, or routing systems.