Why are POI files not supported by companies such as AAA or Hotels ect.

 

Will the business world provides GPS owners a free POI file of their business locations.

Would it not benefit their business.

Some Yes, Some No

I contacted a high-ranking company exec to try and get a file listing all their locations and they weren't interested.

I pointed out the same advantages, but no, they weren't interested in providing it to me.

Other folks on this forum have gotten such a file when they asked for it. Go figure confused

--
Tampa, FL - Garmin nüvi 660 (Software Ver 4.90), 2021.20 CN NA NT maps | Magellan Meridian Gold

starbucks

I wrote an email to Starbucks and recommended they create a POI file and have it available online for their customers. It seems they would want to have an up to date file for their customers to find them. They said they would look into, but I doubt anyone took it serious.

Deborah

starbucks

I wrote an email to Starbucks and recommended they create a POI file and have it available online for their customers. It seems they would want to have an up to date file for their customers to find them. They said they would look into, but I doubt anyone took it serious.

Deborah

AAA has a deal with Magellan

So I don't think they would be interested in providing this information to others.

--
Larry ... Garmin Nuvi 650

Starbucks

I beleive I know what is the problem with the industry. They are not educated about the new way to travel and the potential behind this new technology.

If we recall that Bill Gate

If we recall that Bill Gate had to sell his idea. Ford had the same problem and so did many others. Give it 5 years and all business will hop on the band wagon.

I dont use their maps

I dont use their maps anymore and I don't need their books anymore and I am a member. I am using only my GPS and if they don't provide me with books and POI for my GPS then I might consider otherwise.

Costs vs. Returns

While it would benefit their business, there are costs involved. Building the dataset, keeping it up-to-date, updating their web-site so it can be downloaded, etc.

It has to get into their budget and it has to show a value higher than other things they may be spending their budget on. Over time I think we will see more companies doing this.

--
I plan to live forever. So far, so good.

Good Point!

prismtx wrote:

updating their web-site so it can be downloaded, etc.

Really good point here. If somebody has an old data set which lists a business location that no longer exists, they'd likely hold the company responsible.

Interesting thread,

Interesting thread, especially since just this weekend I pondered the same thing.

You would think that a company like Cracker Barrel which tends to serve a lot of travelers (and RVer's) would offer a downloadable POI file.

I bet that most GPSr owners that have units that allow for POIs have no real clue about this ability. If the retailer would add links to the various major GPSr manufacturers regarding how to load the POIs, this should protect the retailer from liabilities or responsibilities in offering such data.

I think that this is a force to be reckoned with and that if a few retailers began to post their POIs, that the competition would follow suit.

This would also help to avoid the outdated information in the POI database. Just last week (out of hungry desperation) I sought a McDonald's to grab a quick bite before Parent's Visiting Day at my daughter's camp. I took a 10 minute (each way) journey to an intersection void of any eatery. I ended up sitting toward the back of the audience (having spent 20 unproductive minutes on the way) and was still hungry. I figured that a McDonald's would not likely disappear or not end up where it was supposed to be- especially in a rather urban area.

If retailers paid attention to the POI data built into GPSr, they might see a lot of bad data. Just a look at the Wal-Mart POI available on this site shows just how inaccurate this information is. The Wal-Mart file is being updated and corrected several times a week based on the input and experiences of our members.

Rob

--
Maps -> Wife -> Garmin 12XL -> StreetPilot 2610 -> Nuvi 660 (blown speaker) -> Nuvi 3790LMT

My family just endured a 800

My family just endured a 800 mile trip - our first since joining the GPS world, and we were wondering the same thing.

It seems like it would be very easy for a company to put this together.

--

I think it would be

I think it would be relatively easy for a company to do.

But, I don't think there are enough GPS users that would know what to do with the info anyways. Most gps users have no idea that you can load custom poi's onto a device in the first place.

I don't know if the demand is there yet...

...but then again it would be pretty simple for them to do... so hopefully they start doing it anyways smile

Gps provided poi

CessnaDriver wrote:

My family just endured a 800 mile trip - our first since joining the GPS world, and we were wondering the same thing.

It seems like it would be very easy for a company to put this together.

GPS provided POIs don't just appear on the database, they are probably contract listed. GPS owners are the market and POI generated sales is the goal. Isn't this the way supermarkets stock shelves, items are placed at eye level for financial consideration.

Last weekend I was certainly grateful for GPS provided POIs. My 950 mile trip crossed through Maine, found rest areas with vending machines, and exit ramps with mom & pop food dives. Set the Nuvi 350 for all food and watched for any respectible food provider. Twenty plus miles we stopped.

Missing a Bet

It does seem like companies are missing a bet for not offering POI files of their retail locations. Apparently not enough executives are using GPS or know how to use a custom POI file.

almost there already ....

prismtx wrote:

....Building the dataset, keeping it up-to-date, updating their web-site so it can be downloaded, etc.

Most chain type companies already have someone managing their website and "store locator" database .. it's just a matter of added coordinates!

I agree some of the other's that posted ... it's just a matter of time. Many companies don't understand yet.

I predict that as all of the corp. executives start getting their new company cars with built in navigation, they'll start to see the light!

Business generated POIs

To add my two cents worth, seems to me this website could be the catalyst for businesses and then a link from teh business to here. (Money opportunity Miss POI). Our membership is very good about new POIs and correcting mistakes. Instead of businesses incurring the expense let the consumer/user update the information. No liability issues either.

Businesses are quick to respond when the $$$ are there. Question is how many GPS'rs are getting other POI files......should Garmin incorporate OUR files? ....and use US to update the information.....?

--
Tom

Location Based Services

prismtx wrote:

While it would benefit their business, there are costs involved. Building the dataset, keeping it up-to-date, updating their web-site so it can be downloaded, etc.

It has to get into their budget and it has to show a value higher than other things they may be spending their budget on. Over time I think we will see more companies doing this.

Well, in a way the location based services of our cell phones may make them think they will be already entered in a database. Would it not seem they are interested in the folks at a nearby spot, who can in a matter of minutes drop in, rather than set up a database requiring maintenance, for folks who want to maintain their own files, but who are miles away from the nearest Starbucks, etc?

Out of sight, out of mind, if you are not close enough to buy their product, are they interested in what you want? Fairly short-sighted I think.

I believe they already have that information but do not want to formalize it by extracting it. "What's in it for me?" seems to be their philosophy. And, with the economy so erratic, who can blame them.

--
"Making tracks..." {:)-<=| Nuvi 880

You are SO RIGHT

kb2psm wrote:

Interesting thread, especially since just this weekend I pondered the same thing.

You would think that a company like Cracker Barrel which tends to serve a lot of travelers (and RVer's) would offer a downloadable POI file.

I bet that most GPSr owners that have units that allow for POIs have no real clue about this ability. If the retailer would add links to the various major GPSr manufacturers regarding how to load the POIs, this should protect the retailer from liabilities or responsibilities in offering such data.

I think that this is a force to be reckoned with and that if a few retailers began to post their POIs, that the competition would follow suit.

This would also help to avoid the outdated information in the POI database. Just last week (out of hungry desperation) I sought a McDonald's to grab a quick bite before Parent's Visiting Day at my daughter's camp. I took a 10 minute (each way) journey to an intersection void of any eatery. I ended up sitting toward the back of the audience (having spent 20 unproductive minutes on the way) and was still hungry. I figured that a McDonald's would not likely disappear or not end up where it was supposed to be- especially in a rather urban area.

If retailers paid attention to the POI data built into GPSr, they might see a lot of bad data. Just a look at the Wal-Mart POI available on this site shows just how inaccurate this information is. The Wal-Mart file is being updated and corrected several times a week based on the input and experiences of our members.

Rob

And, I think the POI FACTORY can offer a sign to go on the business, having its official coordinates in the accepted format. And, near the street, one of those treasure map thingys, a big "X" cross which marks the spot of the coordinates so they can turn in off the street there.

The POIFactory sign should state something like
"We are ON THE MAP" because we want you to find us."
--member of the POIFactory business partners. Find all our locations on your travels.

If you have the product, they will come. It might end up being a consortium of POI providers who contribute to this massive undertaking. There are some groups now giving POI that we are not supposed to use their data when entering them into POIFactory files, right? But if it is a consortium, that means its been arranged to share, or as Emeril says, they've "kicked it up a notch" to a higher plane.

Having once been involved in industrial information, I know that your information is a valuable thing, and you don't give it out freely. For the benefit of someone who will end up making the money off it, that is. If POI Factory can make the businesses see the benefit of a new untapped market, a new way of identifying that market, I think they'd put some of their advertising/marketing budget into the few hours it would take to give an outside group the information it needs to create the file.

I'm not sure what I just said, exactly, but I am approving the approach business should take an "enlightened self interest" in this undertaking.

--
"Making tracks..." {:)-<=| Nuvi 880

It's just a matter of time...

Not that long ago none of the stores were on the internet... When a forward thinking CEO sees the advantages and as the gps population grows, first one will provide it and then they all will...

--
It is terrible to speak well and be wrong. -Sophocles snɥɔnıɥdoɐ aka ʎɹɐƃ

What's in it for me

aophiuchus wrote:

When a forward thinking CEO sees the advantages and as the gps population grows, first one will provide it and then they all will...

How do you think businesses get on the 6 million point poi database? Navtec, Garmin, Tom Tom, Megelian etc.... already sold advertising to consumer businesses. What's in it for me, GPS manufacturers have it covered.

Sorry for the loud typing, this is not a flame war statement.

doesnt make much sense

You would think if it could bring them new customers they would be interested. Go figure.

deborah

Customers new and old

I drive tour buses and this site and the hard work of others has been a god send to my profession. Tour guide says is there a Cracker Barrel near here I look to find the nearest one and call and tell them and they have 57 new customers that they wouldn't have had. POI files are extremely valuable to businesses they aren't willing to spend some time and very little money ( some IT guy might have to do a little work).

--
John_nuvi_

Very expencive for company's

kb2psm wrote:

Interesting thread, especially since just this weekend I pondered the same thing.

You would think that a company like Cracker Barrel which tends to serve a lot of travelers (and RVer's) would offer a downloadable POI file.

This would also help to avoid the outdated information in the POI database. (truncated)
Rob

Place like Starbucks are struggling to stay alive, yet alone make and maintain a POI file. With company's laying off employees at a steady pace, I can't see a dedicated worker just to work these files. We are probably better off doing things the way we have been, taking matters into our own hands creating the files, maintaing and distributing them here.

--
Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.

Huh?

Maybe businesses wouldn't be struggling so much if they made it easier for people to locate them!!

And how do you figure it would take a dedicated worker to maintain a POI for a company? Granted it may take a week or so (if that) to create the initial file, but after that they would only have to update it once a month if that.

Mark my words, in a couple of years most companies will be offering POI files on their websites.

Would it really be expensive and prohibitive? I think otherwise

Would it really be expensive for someone to maintain this information? Someone already maintains a website in which putting in a zip code reveals the location of your local Starbucks. Taking the time to offer POI coordinates can not certainly be so cost prohibitive.

Rather someone go to a pre-loaded POI to find a closed Starbucks or two? They won't bother to look for a third or trust the preloaded POI further. If a company like Starbucks is closing locations, then the preloaded POI will definitely not be accurate. They may lose business from frustrated consumers.

Regarding the expense or prohibitive costs that you believe are involved- just look at how many POI are generated every day by casual users of POI FACTORY. Their labor of love and interest in sharing did take some time, but do you really think that most contributors spend endless waking nights to get the POIs done? I would suspect that it is more difficult for one of us to first gather the information and then compile it as opposed to a corporation that already has the database of locations at the ready.

Just my take on this...

Be well,
Rob

dog_poop wrote:
kb2psm wrote:

Interesting thread, especially since just this weekend I pondered the same thing.

You would think that a company like Cracker Barrel which tends to serve a lot of travelers (and RVer's) would offer a downloadable POI file.

This would also help to avoid the outdated information in the POI database. (truncated)
Rob

Place like Starbucks are struggling to stay alive, yet alone make and maintain a POI file. With company's laying off employees at a steady pace, I can't see a dedicated worker just to work these files. We are probably better off doing things the way we have been, taking matters into our own hands creating the files, maintaing and distributing them here.

--
Maps -> Wife -> Garmin 12XL -> StreetPilot 2610 -> Nuvi 660 (blown speaker) -> Nuvi 3790LMT

Not too difficult

I agree that maintaining a POI file should not be difficult or expensive. Maybe the people who are making the decision don't understand what it entails, and don't want to give up a resource to do it. Especially when you are talking about an overpaid IT guy!

--
Magellan Maestro 4250, T-Mobile G1 with Google Maps, iPaq with TomTom, and a Tapwave Zodiac with TomTom and Mapopolis

Cost of a POI file

Now someone at a company could do this on their own, but if they are sick, get fired, promoted, take another job, the file gets out of date and then we complain that they don't update their system.

Casual maintenance of your own POI files is not expensive. But in a corporate world, you are going to have someone doing the updating who knows nothing about formatting a poi file. They probably won't even know that the data they enter for a location database is even going into a POI file. Someone will write a program to read a database with store locations, get the coordinates and update another database with the correct information. This is on a server that gets automatically backed up every night, there is an extract job to take that information and put it in a DMZ (an area outside the corporate firewall that people from outside the company can access) so that we can download it from their website.

It all takes time away from other work to develop and has a cost, so it has to be prioritized within the company. While there are few corporate maintained POI files today, I agree with others that we will see more and more as time goes on. Just like we see most websites with a store locater function now. It just takes time for the companies to realize the benefit.

--
I plan to live forever. So far, so good.

Corporate Style

prismtx wrote:

Now someone at a company could do this on their own, but if they are sick, get fired, promoted, take another job, the file gets out of date and then we complain that they don't update their system.

Casual maintenance of your own POI files is not expensive. But in a corporate world, you are going to have someone doing the updating who knows nothing about formatting a poi file. They probably won't even know that the data they enter for a location database is even going into a POI file. Someone will write a program to read a database with store locations, get the coordinates and update another database with the correct information. This is on a server that gets automatically backed up every night, there is an extract job to take that information and put it in a DMZ (an area outside the corporate firewall that people from outside the company can access) so that we can download it from their website.

It all takes time away from other work to develop and has a cost, so it has to be prioritized within the company. While there are few corporate maintained POI files today, I agree with others that we will see more and more as time goes on. Just like we see most websites with a store locater function now. It just takes time for the companies to realize the benefit.

Yeah, in the corporate world that's a big problem. There are all kinds of good ideas that could be implemented, but then who is going to take ownership of them and make sure that they're kept up to date---even if that person leaves or changes positions? So it just doesn't happen.

ownership

Usually a large company assigns responsibility to a division, section, or department. Normally the head of the group is responsible to ensure the task is performed. I don't think that a person leaving would matter in this case. You have to document your work.

Remember the bottom line (money balance)is the main thing for a company, if the product doesn't make money this quarter then forget it. I don't think POI files would make a good business case (project to start) for a company.

--
Mark - Nuvi 265T NUVI 50LM

This is free advertisement for more business (profits)

Afraid our business leaders are losing their competitiveness and market acumen. When market share is threatened by foreign imports, they would clamor for corporate welfare with the help of lobbyists and politicians. Just my humble opinion.

Any corporate follow up?

Many members of this site have made POIs for chains such as Cracker Barrel. Have any of you who asked for, and received, store locations ever been asked for the POI file? Have any of you been contacted by the companies in any way afterward? Companies that are willing to share their locations may be the easiest to convince about the benefits of POI files.

What would be the best way to implement this? Should a company add a link to their POI file next to the store locator button? Or a link to here? Would you want to go to each company to get the data, or still search this site first? Who has the most recent or most accurate data? Once a company accepts the task of creating a POI, they may not want others updating the files.

Just a few more thoughts on the issue.

--
Larry ... Garmin Nuvi 650