Alternate method for turn-by-turn?

It is my understanding that currently SWRemote gets turn by turn directions is through this process:

  1. SWRemote device sends request to SW21
  2. SW21 starts a new mappoint process.
  3. SW21 gets the directions from the current employee location, to their job.
  4. SW21 closes used mappoint program.
  5. SW21 sends these directions to the SWRemote device
  6. SWRemote displays these turn-by-turn directions to the user.

This method has a few drawbacks:

  • Mappoint must start within a few seconds, or SWRemote will time out.
  • The directions are only as good as the data mappoint provides.
    • Mappoint 2011 does not have as recent road data as Microsoft Maps (online), Google maps (online), or Mapquest (online).

Here is my proposed alternative:

  • Most smart phones (pretty much all of them) have the capability to run Google Maps (the app). There may be other mapping apps from other providers such as Microsoft and Mapquest for smartphones.
  • Have SWRemote use Google Maps api to show current location, target location, and directions 'by car' thereto. It would be a plus if the directions could be printed in a user-selectable size. Some screens are quiet small.

Obviously the above would be an option, either set in SWRemote per device, or on the SWRemote server administration. I envision a dropdown where the user could choose between "Mappoint", "Google Maps App", "Google Maps Web", "Bing Maps", and "Mapquest App".

 

SDK / API reference:

 

Why do I propose such a freedom of choice for the user? Because mappoint on our sever takes too long to start, thus a timeout occurs and our users never receive the directions. We can easily open up google maps and get directions, but it requires retyping the destination address.

 

Our setup (quite simple):

  • Server A runs MSSQL and SW21 Server
  • Server B is a terminal server, which everyone logs into to run SW21. This allows users with a slow internet connection (from home) to log in and use SW21.

MSSQL takes almost all available RAM. Running additional applications in Server A is not a good idea. Especially large mapping applications like Mappoint.

 

Please consider liberating us from Mappoint's slow updates, and allow us the freedom to use alternate applications.

 

Tags: google, mappoint, maps, sw21, swremote

Views: 9

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hensel on April 11, 2011 at 1:23pm
Nathan,

I am passing this request along to the appropriate people.  Thank you for your input!
Permalink Reply by Nathan Sutherland on April 11, 2011 at 1:30pm
Great! I look forward to whatever improvements are made in this area.
Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hensel on May 6, 2011 at 1:58pm
Nathan,

Your feature request has been reviewed, but the response is that ultimately this lies in SuccessWare 21's hands.  Unfortunately, it is not something we can change within SWRemote without SuccessWare 21 changing their map program compatibility.
Permalink Reply by Nathan Sutherland on May 6, 2011 at 2:20pm

I'm disappointed that SW21 has such a strangle on SWRemote. This request has nothing to do with passing information to SW21, and shouldn't effect/affect any licensing. In order for a person to generically get directions from point A to point B, the person needs three things:

  • The address/location of Point A,
  • The address/location of Point B,
  • The maps to route via.

The address/location of Point A is already known via the internal GPS inside the smart mobile device.

The address/location of Point B is known, since SWRemote knows the job address.

The mapping application (Google Maps App, MapQuest App) provides the map.

 

This can be done completely separately from SW21. Once SWRemote knows the job address, what is stopping it (SWRemote) from passing that information via an API to Google Maps App, or MapQuest App?

 

Thanks for the consideration.

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hensel on May 6, 2011 at 2:25pm
Nathan,

I have passed along the above message and am awaiting feedback.
Permalink Reply by Nathan Sutherland on May 9, 2011 at 12:31pm
Thanks!
Permalink Reply by Nathan Sutherland on June 15, 2011 at 12:27pm

Jeff, I'm curious if you guys have any plans to implement this in newer releases? We've got a couple MC65 devices we are trying out. Google Maps is currently installed and working, yet there is no way to automatically transfer the job address from SWRemote into Google Maps.. could you at least put a 'copy' button near the job address so we could copy it to the clipboard, then paste it into Google Maps? :)

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hensel on June 15, 2011 at 12:40pm
Nathan,

I just added a new feature request for this (as it is essentially a different request than supporting other mapping programs).  It is awaiting review; I will definitely let you know of any updates.
Permalink Reply by Nathan Sutherland on June 15, 2011 at 12:43pm

I was thinking of it as a stop-measure until you can develop the more full-fledged solution to work with other mapping programs. I look forward to whatever solutions you come up with.

 

Thanks for the update!

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