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![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/d17ocfn2f5o4rl.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/information-customers-search-on-maps.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFrom maps that guide us around unknown places, we\u2019re now getting maps that drive business optimization. Custom maps with layers that visualize critical data can help businesses optimize processes, improve mobility, get insights, and save resources.<\/p>\n
Maps are breaking into the digital era in an absolutely new form. They\u2019re evolving into fully fledged digital products and search engines valued by consumers and businesses. Two out of three customers look for information on local businesses using maps.<\/p>\n
Information customers are looking for on maps<\/b>
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Source: Beaumonde, 5 Awesome Things Google Street View Does for Your Business<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n This high demand for maps has resulted in growing investment in digital mapping services<\/a>. Apart from several giants like HERE, TomTom, and Google that provide maps for businesses, there are plenty of smaller technology solutions providers fighting for market share. Their products often compete by focusing on the needs of specific customers.<\/p>\n Growth of investment in digital mapping solutions<\/b> Source: Markets and Markets, Digital Maps Market – Global Forecast to 2024<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Maps and products that rely on maps are becoming more complex. Today, maps rely on intelligent automation, geographic information systems (GIS), all-around data, and IoT connectivity to deliver greater value to users. Let\u2019s find out what stands behind the common maps we use every day and see what business solutions rely on GIS, digital mapping, and GPS location information in the background.<\/p>\n For at least a decade, digital mapping systems have been drawing on a set of technologies that complement their already powerful functionality. Some of these technologies build a solid foundation for digital mapping, while others enhance maps with unique and customer-oriented features.<\/p>\n Geographic information systems provide a suite of tools and an entire ecosystem for collecting and processing geodata. GIS mapping can be enriched by combining open-source tools with a custom internal GIS solution to process spatial data in different formats and quickly convert data for specific needs.<\/p>\n GIS tools enrich maps<\/a> with specific layers of information that aren\u2019t available on traditional maps. For digital mapping, GIS tools gather data on traffic, vehicles, road restrictions, toll costs, and points of interest along the way. By combining and switching between layers, digital mapping solution providers can offer a wide scope of services for customers in various industries. Learn how to apply GIS and spatial data tools to accelerate the compilation of maps for logistics<\/p>\n After collecting a huge amount of data to place as a map layer, a mapping solution provider faces extensive manual work to label and structure that data. Automation comes in handy to accelerate map compilation and simplify use of the end product. Rendering a 3D model of a city or any landscape requires placing objects on the map that mirror real-life infrastructure. Automation using machine learning can help to label objects, classify them, group them in segments, and provide various views for easier city planning, construction, and road mapping.<\/p>\n By combining machine learning, GIS, and cloud technology<\/a>, digital mapping can rely on 3D point cloud classification for faster rendering and to enable custom use cases for better urban mobility<\/a>, logistics, and transportation. Accelerating object classification with automation tools can decrease rendering times from months to minutes while enabling end users to render map layers right in a web browser. Learn how to classify real-world objects for faster rendering of terrain models on 3D maps<\/p>\n Location services can do much more than locate lost mobile phones or track vehicles on maps. Geocoding thousands of data sets with the highest quality and accuracy allows end customers to plan smart routes excluding geofenced or restricted areas. Embracing location intelligence services that analyze thousands of data points gathered from robust API integrations can impact business-critical key performance indicators (KPIs). Knowing the exact place where your fleets lose the most time or fuel can help you save money and increase customer satisfaction with accurate ETAs<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Internet of Things opens the world of hyper-connected and virtually tangible objects within cities. Digital twins technology<\/a> combined with 3D mapping can contribute to the creation of precise city models. Thanks to the edge computing power of sensors installed on vehicles, road infrastructure, and aerial data collectors like drones and helicopters, map providers can perceive real-time representations of surroundings as live layers on self-healing maps. This time sensitivity opens up new opportunities for life-critical technologies like autonomous driving to rely on maps to safely navigate the road.<\/p>\n Building a map is all about getting the right data and using it fast. Mapping data pipelines can drive value and business-critical decisions. Mapping solution providers can cover several specific stages of map building and rely on map development vendors for advancing their map production. But what should a successful map production process look like? There are several critical phases that cannot be omitted. The process starts with data collection and ends with the development of a complete application or mapping solutions<\/a> platform.<\/p>\n Moving through all these stages, maps become valuable business assets and tools to build future growth strategies. For example, logistics companies can rely on maps saturated with spatial data on roads, traffic, and weather for smart route planning, minimizing expenses, and preventing potential hazards along the route. Mobility providers can plan transit loads for passengers and transportation on schedule based on data on an area\u2019s population and time for the raised demand for public transport. Agricultural businesses can use field maps to plan crop seeding and timely harvesting based on weather and the level of pesticides used. Local businesses can place their stores on maps as points of interest outside as well as within venues. Digital mapping by Intellias<\/p>\n Mission-critical automation of industries places challenges on map providers, who rely on advanced technology to gain a competitive edge and satisfy increased requirements for specific maps. In search of the next big thing in digital mapping technology, businesses may look at the following trends that underline the evolution of maps.<\/p>\n Modern maps are sensitive to the time they receive updates. Mission-critical systems like autonomous cars require data on road situations in the time frame of a few milliseconds. Fortunately, there are plenty of data sources around to provide fast updates for cars. Crowdsourcing data becomes possible thanks to a wide network of sensors on vehicles and infrastructure along the road as well as continuous communication between traffic participants.<\/p>\n Sensor fusion is a recent concept that allows highly automated systems in cars and other machinery to comprehend the world around them in order to make the right decisions. Maps along with location modules are becoming key parts of sensor fusion technology. Automated machinery can rely on embedded digital maps to safely navigate and maintain critical functions.<\/p>\n Static maps that receive updates once in a while are no longer relevant to customers\u2019 needs. Digital mapping technology is evolving into dynamic content generators that receive huge loads of real-time data streamed from sensors.<\/p>\n Maps are becoming smarter. If a map recognizes critical gaps that prevent a car from safely using the road, it can automatically look for an update of the affected map area. AI and deep learning algorithms can identify and modify critical features in real time to initiate updates.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/d17ocfn2f5o4rl.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/digital-mapping-investments.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPowerful sidekicks of digital mapping technology<\/h2>\n
GIS in digital mapping for data gathering and multi-layer personalization<\/h3>\n
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The Internet of Things for collecting data and enhancing maps<\/h3>\n
Mapping production process that drives better decisions<\/h2>\n
Gathering data<\/h4>\n
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Processing data<\/h4>\n
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Compiling maps<\/h4>\n
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Developing SDKs and APIs<\/h4>\n
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Developing components, apps, and platforms<\/h4>\n
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\n\n \n \n Map the surrounding world and indoor venues in real time with accurate and recent data<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n Learn more<\/span>\n\t\t <\/a><\/div><\/p>\nDigital mapping trends: from maps in hand to maps for business<\/h2>\n
Crowdsourcing data<\/h3>\n
Maps as a sensor<\/h3>\n
Streaming maps<\/h3>\n
Self-healing maps<\/h3>\n
Computer vision and deep learning in mapping<\/h3>\n