Indoor Mapping - The Local Grocery Store

Today's Indoor Mapping challenge - The Local Grocery Store

While chatting with a friend about The SharePoint Mapper he said "You know what I hate, not being able to find stuff in the grocery store...you should make an app that does that."  

I said great idea, as a matter of fact I think I can map a grocery store (or multiple stores) with the SharePoint Mapper right out of the box.  So I made that my mapping challenge of the day.

Warning:  I am graphically challenged...

Step 1 was to create a custom map that resembled the local grocery.  For me this is the hardest and most time consuming part.  I spent about 2 hours trying to make something that people could interpret as a grocery store interior.

Step 2 was to cut my map in to tiles.

Step 3 was to map the areas within the stores and add some context (name and description).

Total time spent:  ~3.5 hours

Wallah...

  

Indoor map of the local grocery store on The SharePoint Mapper.

Remember the above warning, but you should also know that everything on the page can be styled with css and jquery.  In fact, the form in the image can be entirely replaced with injected html via capturing a javascript event.

Feel free to leave you idea for a mapping challenge in the comments section below. 

Indoor Mapping War Declared!

In today's top business news:
Apple Buys Indoor GPS Specialist in Map War

At least that is the top business new for the PdocTech SharePoint Mapper project.  Apple has realized the next phase for mapping will be indoor mapping.

Here at Code From The Porch, that is great to see one of the major player trying to address the next need of mapping.  If you have been following this blog, the you know it is all about indoor mapping.

So Apple has jumped in with both feet.  The SharePoint Mapper provides indoor mapping with the most flexible and extensible offering available utilizing Bing Maps.  Sounds like our competitor,WiFiSLAM found a big brother, but we're not worried.  On the Microsoft/Bing Maps/Enterprise indoor mapping solution our solution is ready for the competition to begin!    

Free Beer!!! Ok, not really...Free SharePoint Mapper Account!

The free trial offer has ended.  Thank you everyone.

So I can't actually give everyone free beer, sorry, but I can give you the next best thing:
A free trail account to use the Pdoc Tech SharePoint Mapper using Bing Maps!!!  I know you are excited now!

The Mapper is in Beta, somewhat ready to use and still ready for some more refinement.  So I want to give everyone a chance to play on the hosted version and see how easy it is to build great Bing Maps that are hosted in the SharePoint Mapper.

How to get your free Mapper trial:

1. Either go to http://www.pdoctech.com/mapper and follow the links to subscribe or send me an email support@pdoctech.com.

Pretty simple.

Gratuitous image Pdoc Tech Bing Maps SharePoint Mapper.

Now remember, this is a free trial of a product in beta.  Feedback is encouraged, ask for help or guidance if you would like to try something or would like to know about extending the Mapper to accommodate custom functionality.

This offer is valid until it is no longer valid.

Live Demonstrations of the SharePoint Bing Mapper!

I have opened up a site with two live demonstrations available.

It is available for a limited time at: PdocTech.com.  Please drop in and take a test drive.



Demonstration #1: The Ranch

 

Demonstration #2:  Adventure Works Headquarters

Please leave feedback on this post.

New Demo: Self Storage Management on the SharePoint Bing Mapper System

This is a brief webcast to highlight a few features of the SharePoint Bing Mapper System.  The scenario created for this webcast is a self storage company with multiple location.  The demo shows the map of the locations, selects a specific unit from the map, a custom form is opened from the map and the users fills out and submits the form.

As always, thanks for viewing.

Trade Show Management on the Mapper

Trade Show Mapping on the SharePoint Bing Mapper

This webcast demonstrates an application added of the SharePoint Bing Mapper platform.  In this scenario I will demonstrate reserving spaces for a trade show on the mapper.

To keep the video moving I have omitted some detail as well as repetitive actions like switching users.

Points to remember:

1. Registering trade show participants is only a small part of what can be accomplished with this tool.  The map and data created can also be used for payment tracking, setup instructions for facilities and as a public map for attendees to navigate around the grounds.
2.  It is completely extensible.  The base configuration can be added to or taken away from.  If there are additional data points that need to be collected it is a simple matter of configuration.  In the event that a new feature is required but isn't available through configuration (such as data transfer to an external system) custom code can be added with minimal effort.
3. It is easily styled.  I know, shame on me for not taking the time to do some extra UI customization, but I only have so much time.  The application can be customized through the use of CSS and JQuery giving complete control over the look and feel.

Thanks for viewing!

Personnel Directory on Bing Maps

Personnel Directory on Bing Maps

In this webcast a directory of personnel working in a corporate headquarter is demonstrated.

The scenario is a single building with 3 levels being used by Adventure Works for their corporate headquarters.  They have decided to implement the SharePoint Bing Mapper Directory System on their internal corporate portal.  

Although the mapper can be used to map multiple locations and map items, in this scenario it will be used to map employees within the Adventure Works headquarters building.  

The video gives an end user perspective of employee locations.  Though the video shows what The Mapper looks like in action it doesn't cover possible uses for the information.

1. Human Resources can use The Mapper to manage employee locations.  
1. The task of assigning cubes and desks can be managed and tracked from a central location.  
2. When employees are assigned or moved, updates to locations can be tracked through workflow to ensure location information is kept current and that all concerned parties (human resources, managers, facilities, etc) have access to it. 
2. Reception - Using The Mapper, guests or other employees can quickly locate or be given directions to employee location or to meeting rooms.
3. Security - In the event of an emergency, locating an assigned area become a quick and simple task, no longer relying on a key person to be able to give directions.

I hope you enjoyed the demonstration.  I have a couple of upcoming posts I will be putting up when I find the time.  I plan on doing a blog dedicated to the 101 Top Uses for The Mapper and another blog demonstrating using the blogger for a trade show registration.

Thanks Again!