Comments on: Putting a Business on the Map

By: mike netanel

mike netanel — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:51:56 +0000

I want to find out how I can add my business to GPS.

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:50:50 +0000

Glad I could help!

By: Katrin Thompson

Katrin Thompson — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:15:55 +0000

Dear GPS Review,
I found you by Google and I’m glad I did. I have contacted all the database people you suggest and will see how it works out. We’ve been in business for 5 1/2 years and didn’t know how to get this accomplished. Thank you for the time you’ve put into this website.
Katrin

By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:31:53 +0000

I really appreciate the information on this page. I’ve been in business for 3 years and this is the first time I have found information on GPS Points of Interest. Thanks..

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:01:49 +0000

It appears the map database updates are issued periodically so I understand the consequences if I were to miss the update window.

My fundamental question though is not so much about streets, business, and services which are the primary focus. It is whether secondary POI that a tourism bureau wants to promote would even be listed, or is this simply whistling in the wind?

Using the knowledge I gained reading your website, I have asked this question of Navteq and will see what kind of response I get from them.

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:03:18 +0000

I would also try to set some realistic expectations for the businesses you are adding. From the time you request the additions, to the various companies verifying the data and putting it into production, to the GPS companies purchasing an updated map, to then customers purchasing new devices with those maps or purchasing a map update— that process can take a long time to get to the final result. Not that you shouldn’t try…. just make sure the businesses realize they won’t see their business on the GPS devices of their fends appear overnight.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:59:43 +0000

Okay, I should have anticipated that answer even before I asked it! I’m getting up to speed as quickly as I can with the current state of the technology. The fundamental question I am trying to answer is whether an entity such as a tourism bureau or chamber of commerce is an appropriate ’single point of management’ for smaller, tourist driven areas. They asked me about getting POI’s added and some old outdated information deleted. It appears my question should be directed to the database companies.

Thanks for your website and your help! It has helped answer many of my questions.

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:13:40 +0000

No, the information in those databases is highly protected. (They won’t give away their core products in a manner someone could freely copy them.) So you would need to use the tools on their websites to figure out if the locations already exist in their databases.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:45:55 +0000

Thanks for the prompt feedback! One more question regarding managing a project on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. Are there tools available that allow me to download and review the data that exists in these databases (beside a GPS unit itself). I’m thinking in terms of importing into Excel so I could see what already exists and the extent of what is missing compared to their wish list?

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:51:34 +0000

Robert, the GPS companies ultimately decide which POIs to include, so you would need to ask them.