GPS / WEBSITE INTEGRATION

The rate of sales of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, also known as SatNav, is increasing rapidly.

Many mobile phones are now GPS enabled.

People are using these devices to make navigation to locations easier.

Google Maps is rapidly establishing itself as an extremely valuable Internet tool.

Accent Web Design can help you and your website join the GPS Revolution.

INTEGRATION OF GPS LOCATIONS INTO WEBSITES

Integrating GPS locations into your website opens up a whole new world.

A perfect example is that of a tourism website. The location of attractions, accommodation etc is vital information.

Historically, paper based maps are produced of an area with attractions printed on it.

An online system where the GPS locations are part of the information for each attraction allows for much more flexible possibilities.

It also means that every website visitor is getting the most up to date information, rather than a paper map that was printed by the thousand a year or more earlier and does not contain the newest attractions.

There are many other options available.

SAMPLE WEBSITE

The Boonah / Scenic Rim Tourism website is a good example of how we can provide a seamlessly integrated solution.

When a Tourism Operator's listing is added or updated, the website's Google Maps and GPS functions are automatically updated so that the public have up to the minute location information available.

You can test drive the Boonah / Scenic Rim Tourism website now.

CUSTOM POI (POINTS OF INTEREST) FOR IN-CAR GPS

Your GPS locations can be made available via your website as downloadable POI files.

People can then load location lists of places such as accommodation, restaurants, petrol stations etc into their GPS unit prior to travel.

These places (POIs) can then be displayed on their GPS unit as they move along.

That way, they see them coming up on their GPS unit's display before they get there.

For businesses and tourism operators off the beaten track, this means that they are no longer out of sight. They are just as visible (on the GPS unit) as the opposition on the main road!

Examples of websites with downloadable POI files: Scenic Rim Tourism, New York , Los Angeles , Qld Main Roads Department

GOOGLE MAPS INTEGRATION

Custom sets of GPS locations can be plotted on Google Maps. Typical uses for this include tourist attractions, accommodation etc.

The GPS locations are maintained by the relevant tourism association, business etc.

Example: Click here for a Google Map showing accommodation in our area.

Single locations can also be plotted.

A typical application is for a single establishment to have a link on their website.

Example: Click here to see where we are.

DERIVATION OF GPS LOCATIONS

Accent Web Design can also derive your GPS location/s for you by various means.

This can range from the location of your accommodation establishment, to the locations of all your stores across Australia.

Your location can then be used in a number of ways including those outined above.

TERMINOLOGY

The use of GPS locations and systems has exploded recently. Many terms are new to many people. The following should help in understanding it all.

GPS	Global Positioning System. A GPS receiver derives it's position from signals transmitted by satellites orbiting the Earth.
Latitude	The angle subtended North/South from the centre of the Earth above or below the Equator.
Longitude	The angle subtended East/West from Greenwich, England.
GPS location	A postion on, above, or below the Earth's surface. The position is defined by GPS Latitude & Longitude.
POI	Point/s Of Interest. The location of something of interest such as a tourist attraction, petrol station etc.
POI file	A computer file containing POIs. The format is typically Longitude, Latitude, Name for each Point Of Interest.
Geodetic Datum	In the past, many countries and regions adopted an Earth shape which best fitted their area, as the Earth is not a perfect sphere. The definition of this is known as the Geodetic Datum. The GPS system has only one datum, simplifying things a lot. Australia has also now adopted this universal datum. However, in order for navigation using older maps, many GPS units intended for hiking etc have the ability to work in almost any past datum. In South East Qld the difference between the old and new datums is approximately 200 metres, which can be significant. Virtually all modern in-car GPS units, and inbuilt map data, operate on the new universal datum, which simplifies everything!