Case Studies

GeoXploit helps HomeSun find homes suitable for solar energy

GeoXploit, the powerful but user-friendly package of mapping and geographical analysis tools from MapMechanics, is playing a key role in supporting and streamlining a nationwide drive by HomeSun Ltd to stimulate the take-up of solar-generated electricity in homes across Britain. Full story>>>

Geographic modelling project minimises costs for Henkel

Henkel, the producer of famous adhesive brands such as Solvite, Loctite, Unibond and Pritt Stick, has created logical and economical regions for its in-house field merchandising team, using a geographic modelling project from MapMechanics Full story>>>

TruckStops underlies efficiency drive by UK carpet firm

The TruckStops vehicle routing and scheduling optimisation system from MapMechanics is one of the key resources underpinning a major logistics efficiency improvement drive by Cormar Carpets and its logistics contractor Wincanton......Full story>>>

Bailiff planning solution cuts mileage by 50 per cent

Collect Services, one of Britain’s leading firms of enforcement agents (generally known as bailiffs), has rolled out the latest version of Collections, the specialised planning and scheduling system developed by MapMechanics......Full story>>>

MapMechanics’ TruckStops triumphs, even for company with no trucks

You can benefit from using the TruckStops vehicle routing and scheduling optimisation system from MapMechanics even if your company runs no vehicles of its own at all. That’s the verdict of Cheshire-based PDQ Transport, which specialises in delivering plants to garden centres nationwide......Full story>>>

MapMechanics’ GeoConcept drives routing engine for PARIS container transport planning system

The GeoConcept geographic information system from MapMechanics has been used by Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, the developer of the widely-used PARIS container transport planning system, to streamline the product’s ability to calculate journey times and distances in real time. Full story>>>

MapMechanics’ TruckStops VRS helps cut Micronclean fleet by 15 per cent

Workwear rental and cleaning specialist Micronclean from Fenland Laundries Ltd has achieved major efficiency gains in its collection and delivery system – reducing fleet strength by 15 per cent, and identifying the opportunity to open a new outbase.........Full story>>>

MapMechanics helps L’Oréal keep professional product sales on target

A package of software and digital mapping products from MapMechanics is playing a key role in helping the L’Oréal Professional Products Division (LPPD), part of the international L’Oréal cosmetics group, to sustain strong growth in a constantly changing market..........Full story>>>

MapMechanics’ rounded GIS streamlines analysis for BNP Paribas Real Estate

BNP Paribas Real Estate, a leader in the UK’s commercial property market, has gained new ability to provide clients with detailed geographical-based analysis and planning support with a wide-ranging package of software, maps and data from MapMechanics.........Full story>>>

MapMechanics’ GeoXploit helps home care franchise fine-tune territories

Home Instead a franchise specialising in non-medical care for older people in their homes, has been able to improve its system for defining franchise areas in the UK radically by introducing the GeoXploit mapping and geographic information system .......Full story>>>

MapMechanics helps MVA refine greener, more cost-effective modelling

“Real-world road speeds without the need for expensive data collection” – that is how MVA Consultancy sums up one of the key potential economic benefits of the NAVTEQ mapping and travel data sets it has licensed through MapMechanics.
.......Full story>>>

French newspaper group streamlines home deliveries
with UK solution

Sud Ouest, one of France’s leading regional daily newspaper groups, has successfully increased the number of home deliveries of newspapers its agents can make with Street Servicer from MapMechanics
.......Full story>>>

MapMechanics fills gap in
Deya’s directory and catalogue delivery service

Deya has been able to reduce the amount of time spent on planning house-to-house delivery routes significantly, and at the same time provide staff with consistent, easily-understood maps of each delivery area .......Full story>>>

Solaglas on course for significant savings
with MapMechanics' mobility solution

Solaglas, one of Britain’s largest processors, distributors and installers of glass and glass systems, on course to make significant savings through a vehicle loading, routing, scheduling and mobility management solution from MapMechanics.......Full story>>>

Clear Channel Outdoor fine-tunes poster targeting
with help from MapMechanics

Clear Channel Outdoor, the UK’s market-leading outdoor media owner, has been able to fine-tune the packages of poster-based advertising it offers clients and meet their requirements much more precisely by introducing a range of digital maps, demographic data and software from MapMechanics......Full story>>>

BSI streamlines client visits with planning system from MapMechanics

BSI, the global business services organisation offering testing and certification services, is introducing in the UK a brand new system from MapMechanics called PeopleSuite to plan the movements of its roving client managers.....Full story>>>

Map data from MapMechanics underpins CCS’s mission-critical software

Digital mapping and address data supplied and configured by MapMechanics forms key component in transport planning software developed by Cleric Computer Services (CCS) for ambulance services, health authorities, local government and private-sector organisations
..... Full story>>>

Mapping project speeds access to employment information and support

When someone contacts Shaw Trust, the national charity that helps disabled and disadvantaged people to find employment, there is now a much quicker and more reliable mechanism for putting them in touch with the most appropriate office for them... Full story>>>

Wider global coverage, more detail in latest Data Catalogue

The HIPPOBAG™ national domestic and commercial waste collection and recycling service has become even “greener”, and at the same time more cost-effective, following the introduction of a routing and scheduling system from MapMechanics. Full story>>>

Peugeot fine-tunes dealer catchment planning &
streamlines reporting with GIS

Peugeot has streamlined the way it plans its franchised UK dealer network, and helped its dealers target customers more precisely and analyse their performance more effectively.
Full story>>>

MapMechanics helps plan third-party distribution expansion
for UniChem

TruckStops routing and scheduling, the specialist application from MapMechanics, has played “a fundamental role” in a major expansion programme undertaken this spring by UniChem.
Full story>>>

Leisure and the Environment
sees incremental benefits in the use of GeoConcept GIS

Using a geographic information system from MapMechanics to analyse and present data on leisure and community projects “has changed my life,” according to Graham Jones, founder of specialist consultancy Leisure and the Environment. Full story>>>

MapMechanics adds precision to PBA consultancy project

In an initiative to improve the precision and accuracy of its location planning and accessibility studies, Peter Brett Associates (PBA) has invested in a package of geographic analysis and digital mapping products from MapMechanics. Full story>>>

Spicers gains more from TruckStops

Since introducing the TruckStops routing and scheduling system from MapMechanics over twelve years ago, office products wholesaler Spicers has saved “in excess of one million pounds” in its transport and logistics activities. So says Richard Slade, logistics manager in the company’s logistics management team Full story>>>

ISS cut days to hours on Northern Rail contract

A new mobile workforce solution from MapMechanics that combines routing and scheduling, mapping, wireless communications and real-time satellite navigation has played an integral part in clinching a major facilities management contract for ISS with Northern Rail. Full story>>>

Integrating City Link and Target Express networks

Last December, Rentokil Initial plc announced the acquisition of premium parcel carrier Target Express with the objective of creating a market-leading business focused on customer care. They have been working to integrate the City Link & Target Express branch network. Full story>>>

Thomson Directories streamline distribution

In support of a programme to streamline the door-to-door distribution of its famous, blue directories, Thomson Directories has invested in the GeoConcept mapping and geographical information system from MapMechanics...Full story>>>

Wincanton switches to ‘milk industry standard’ routing and scheduling

Thousands of maps in minutes: bespoke system streamlines property service

Thousands of maps can be generated automatically in minutes by long-established property agency Christie & Co with a package of bespoke programming, software and digital data provided by MapMechanics. The system has allowed the company to bring an unprecedented level of detail and accessibility to the analysis service offered to customers. Full story>>>

TNT Express streamlines network planning with OptiSite

Planning and fine-tuning the parcel delivery network operated by TNT Express in the UK has been made quicker and easier with the use of OptiSite, the network optimisation system from MapMechanics. Already, says the company, OptiSite has helped it to adjust the boundaries of some of the areas covered by 14 depots in the Midlands and Northern regions, balancing the demand placed on individual depots more evenly over the area. Full story>>>.

TruckStops halves scheduling time for timber supplier and adds flexibility

By introducing the TruckStops routing and scheduling system from MapMechanics, decorative timber supplier Richard Burbidge Ltd has halved the time it previously took to plan delivery routes from day to day, whilst at the same time gaining unprecedented power to ensure that priority loads are allocated automatically to its own in-house transport fleet.
Full story>>>.

Routing and scheduling exercise clinches milk contract

A one-off routing and scheduling exercise, performed on a project basis by TruckStops supplier MapMechanics, has proved a vital component in helping haulier G Easton & Son to secure a revised and enhanced bulk milk collection and delivery contract in eastern England.
Full story>>>

TruckStops routing and scheduling cuts planning time on carpet contract

The TruckStops routing and scheduling system from MapMechanics is playing a fundamental role in a nationwide carpet distribution contract won by Rhys Davies Freight Logistics. According to business implementation manager Gary Phillips: “If we had to do the same scheduling job manually, we’d have to turn off all the phones, avoid all interruptions, and spend the best part of the day on it.”Full story>>>.

Dynamic scheduling sets seal on savings in heating & plumbing service

Dynamic day-to-day delivery scheduling with the TruckStops routing and scheduling system from MapMechanics is helping logistics group Lloyd Fraser to accommodate rapid growth at AHED, the leading distributor of heating and plumbing supplies. The first phase of the dynamic scheduling system has now gone live in two distribution areas, “and has already produced improvements in vehicle utilisation and efficiency,”
Full story>>>.

Meter-reading company reports ‘huge savings’ with TruckStops scheduling

Meter readers working for Lowri Beck Services, Britain’s longest-established independent specialist in this field, are reaching their destinations more quickly and spending far less time planning their movements, following the introduction of a routing and scheduling system from MapMechanics. The system is now planning the routing of over 10,000 visits a day, and has delivered “huge business savings”. Full story>>>

Seven Eye adds configurability to vehicle tracking system

Following the introduction of the GeoConcept Internet Server geographic information system as the core mapping technology behind the Seven Eye vehicle and asset tracking system, the company is progressively adding a range of new features to add value for users. Already, with the help of some development work by GeoConcept supplier MapMechanics, a London Congestion Charge alerting system has been introduced. The company is also adding the ability to identify tolled roads, and is developing a system to show the location of low bridges. Full story>>>

Lost Wax smoothes web browsing with Flash mapping

Flash on-screen mapping from MapMechanics, with its fast displays, animated zooming and smooth transitions, features in a brand new online capability developed by software innovator Lost Wax for Sea and Water. The enhanced Sea and Water web site brings together a range of new resources in accessible, interactive form. Users can look up data and statistics on shipping lines, agents, ports and waterways, find freight services for specific destinations, and even look up details of individual vessels. Full story>>>.

30% Fuel Reduction for Phocol

The journeys of mobile staff can be planned and routed much more quickly, and in finer detail than ever before, in the latest version of a ground-breaking system in use with Phocol, one of Britain’s leading firms of civil enforcement agents. Built for the company by MapMechanics, the system uses routing, scheduling and digital mapping technology. Every year Phocol’s team of over 50 agents deals with around 300,000 client cases made up mainly of parking offences and other fines. Full Story>>>.

Interflora refines its routes with GeoConcept

Interflora British Unit has undertaken a major analysis exercise to gain a clearer picture than ever before of the resources that are involved within the organisation’s delivery network. With the aid of a new pricing matrix based on travel time and distance, which has been developed with the help of the GeoConcept geographic information system from MapMechanics, Interflora can now pinpoint what a delivery actually involves.
Full story>>>.

TRACKER Network’s seamless mapping switch enhances and saves

TRACKER Network (UK) Ltd, the leading automatic vehicle location and asset management specialist, has made a fundamental change in the way it generates on-screen mapping for its Web-based fleet management systems – reducing costs significantly and paving the way to add a range of new features. Yet to end users the move has been completely invisible. “As far as our customers are concerned, nothing has changed – except for the better,” says product development manager Peter Crinson.
Full story>>>.

Off the wall or on the wall – Customised Mapping has the answer

GeoConcept underpins demand-led passenger transport system

Suppose you’re taking bookings for a community bus service, for a staff transport operation or for a vehicle hire business. Which vehicle should you allocate to ensure you get each job done quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively, and also meet all your public service or contractual commitments? What happens if subsequent bookings completely upset your schedule? Full story>>>

Map Analysis picks GeoConcept to underpin education sector Web portal

Maps generated by GeoConcept Internet Server that illustrate and analyse patterns and trends in local and regional education can be downloaded directly over the Internet by clients using a brand new portal Web site launched this month. It is the product of Map Analysis Ltd, a geographic information systems consultancy specialising in the education sector. GeoConcept is supplied in the UK by Kingswood MapMechanics, which also provided map data and support for the project. Full story>>>

GeoConcept helps BOC streamline cellar gas distribution

Territory managers in the BOC group’s Sureflow business who are delivering gas cylinders for drinks dispensing can now plan and manage their own journeys far more efficiently, thanks to a new system in which the GeoConcept geographic information system from Kingswood MapMechanics plays a major role. BOC has also gained from a corporate management point of view, since it has been able to introduce a wide range of new reports on key performance indicators such as vehicle utilisation and distance travelled per journey. Full story>>>.

Enhanced drive-times stand up to scrutiny of Wal-Mart board

By introducing an advanced drive-time calculation system from MapMechanics, using real-life road speeds to determine catchment areas, retailer ASDA (part of the Wal-Mart group) is improving and speeding up the process of evaluating the market potential for proposed new stores. Strategic Development Manager Neal Stevenson says, “it is undoubtedly the biggest single development in routing systems t hat I’ve experienced in my career." Full story>>>

TruckStops fine-tunes Tuberex exhaust deliveries for Lloyd Fraser

Most fleet operators who introduce routing and scheduling systems either use them periodically to fine-tune fixed delivery rounds, or run them every day to work out the best routes for the following day. Logistics group Lloyd Fraser, working on a long-term contract for exhaust systems manufacturer Tuberex, is using the TruckStops routing and scheduling system from Kingswood MapMechanics to combine elements of both approaches.
Full story>>>

Demographic data proves invaluable guide to best target markets round the country

Demographic data from Kingswood MapMechanics has proved a decisive factor in the rapid growth of specialist TV and consumer goods retailer Buy As You View. Having more than doubled its customer base in five years, the company now aims to increase it by over 50 per cent more in its current five-year plan – taking it to four times its size in the late 1990s.
Full Story>>>

Internet mapping systems lies at heart of mobile phone-based location service

A powerful Internet mapping system supplied by Kingswood MapMechanics lies at the heart of Track@Phone, one of the fastest-growing new mobile phone-based people and asset location and tracking systems. Track@Phone allows subscribing businesses and individuals to find the location of anyone with a mobile phone who has agreed to participate, using data derived from the relevant mobile phone network operator to plot its position. Full story>>>

TruckStops brings dramatic improvements for fine food distributor

West Country Fine Foods, a specialist distributor of premium chilled and frozen foods to the hotel and catering market, has introduced the TruckStops routing and scheduling system from Kingswood MapMechanics to plan its deliveries nationwide, and says it has already had a dramatic effect on costs, customer service levels and operating efficiency.
Full story>>>

‘Map your position without postcodes’ feature enhances Web sites

Where exactly are your premises? Does your online “how to find us” map really show the correct location, even when the grid reference derived from the postcode may be misleading, or there is no postcode in the first place? Two companies with a strong interest in Internet mapping, Kingswood MapMechanics and World.Net, have come up with a practical solution that allows businesses to pinpoint their location interactively online without using postcodes at all.
Full story>>>

Configurable Internet mapping helps ITIS streamline road congestion displays

Hampshire County Council has installed a new countywide system to enable control room staff to see traffic congestion trouble spots at a glance. MapMechanics developed the new application with ITIS Holdings to enhance its system called TAG Traffic Alert Generator,which overlays real-time traffic information on maps for use in control rooms. Full Story>>>.

Thirsty Work shakes up water cooler delivery network with GeoConcept

Thirsty Work, the premier UK supplier of water coolers to the workplace, has cut around 200,000 km of travel from its monthly delivery cycle by remodelling its distribution network with GeoConcept, the leading geographic information system. Now the system is helping the company to exploit market opportunities. Full story>>>

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Leading doordrop company overhauls territory definitions

Circular Distributors, the UK’s leading doordrop marketing company, has completed what is described as “a major overhaul” of its territory definition process. The compnay can now create delivery areas by unit postcode for the first time, gaining new power to update and refine distribution routes in-house. Full story>>>

Scheduling more efficiently in a fraction of the time

Milk processor and haulier Robert Wiseman Dairies has significantly increased the number of milk collections it makes, and the company has paid tribute to the essential role played in the planning process by the TruckStops routing and scheduling system,which was supplied by MapMechanics. Full story>>>

Find-a-football-pitch website majors on interactive mapping

The site has been developed for the Football Foundation, Britain’s biggest sports charity, by PWC and PMP, a leading consultancy in the sports world, and presents the results of the most comprehensive survey of English football pitches ever conducted. Already the site lists over 22,000 grounds with around 45,000 football pitches, and the Foundation is currently encouraging schools to check the accuracy of their details, or submit unlisted facilities for future inclusion. Full story>>>