MapMechanics

Established in 1987, MapMechanics are a leading supplier of mapping, routing and optimisation solutions. They help customers improve performance, particularly in the areas of strategic, tactical and operational management of distribution networks and mobile workers. Their popular routing and scheduling solutions include TruckStops which is used all over the world to optimise routing and scheduling of vehicles for collections and deliveries. MapMechanics solutions can offer users savings of up to 30% on fleet costs, and help ensure that the right vehicle arrives at the right time.
 
TruckStops is a powerful product, but like all routing systems, it is reliant on accurately addressed and geo-coded data to create its efficient routing plans. Without quality data, the routes provided by TruckStops would be inaccurate. That is why in 2001, MapMechanics, approached Capscan, a leading supplier of address management and data integrity solutions, to provide them with a solution that would allow users to cleanse and geocode the address data used by TruckStops.

Theresa Barlow, Business Development Manager, explains the importance of accurate data to route planning: “Our customers need to determine the best route for their delivery vehicles to take. To answer this question for them, location data is key. Capscan software cleanse customer address lists to improve the quality of the address information on which geocoding relies and in many cases automatically appends the relevant geographic co-ordinates so it can be correctly mapped.”

Capscan’s Matchcode solutions have enabled MapMechanics to add value to their customer offerings. With Matchcode Data Capture and Batch fully integrated into TruckStops, users can now utilise the real-time data capture, address validation, bulk cleansing and geocoding functionality offered by the products to ensure all data entered into TruckStops is accurately addressed and fully geocoded. Further, Capscan have also been able to assist MapMechanics with the development of their international mapping solutions through their Matchcode International product, which provides accurate address data for over 240 territories worldwide.

The flexibility offered by Capscan solutions means that MapMechanics have found it easy to justify the cost of integrating Capscan software into their solutions. “Capscan have been helpful in providing pricing models and product offerings that meet the needs of our broad range of customers, including one-off geocoding operations for a small customer database to provision of complete tool sets for integration into web based solutions,” explains Theresa Barlow.

Theresa Barlow predicts a long and successful partnership between MapMechanics and Capscan, and adds: “It is important to MapMechanics to offer a wide range of products for our users. We increasingly have demand for more sophisticated fully integrated systems and for small projects both in the UK and around the globe. We anticipate that our commercial relationship will grow as we grow and Capscan will benefit from our increasingly international presence in the mapping and logistics optimisation market.”

Rod Amies, Capscan’s Partner Development Manager is also optimistic about the future. “We are pleased to be able to help MapMechanics enjoy such success. We hope that this relationship can continue to grow and develop in the future and look forward to working with MapMechanics on several new projects,” concludes Amies.

To find out more about MapMechanics solutions visit www.mapmechanics.com or telephone David Cockrell, Sales Manager on 020 8568 7000.