mapIT launches DevZone

mapIT has launched its DevZone Portal, an online platform that provides developers with free access to deCarta’s geospatial software platform, the Drill Down Server (DDS), web and mobile APIs, MapSearch Engine and other LBS development tools.

Testament to the need for a South African-based LBS development portal, 62 companies pre-registered for access to the DevZone Portal that also offers an online forum and access to pressing FAQs ‚ all improving and enhancing the development process.

The launch of the DevZone portal also follows hot on the heels of mapIT’s first, very successful DevZone Day, aimed at providing SA developers with in-depth knowledge on its new, world-class LBS offering.

Comments Ettienne Louw, MD of mapIT: ‚The launch of our DevZone portal together with our DevZone day truly represents mapIT’s commitment to providing developers with an environment that will both simplify and enrich the development of LBS-related services. Its usability as well as the key differentiators, such as the ability to operate behind company firewalls, will undoubtedly allow developers to develop rich, competitive LBS solutions.‚

The mapIT LBS platform includes technology from world-renowned LBS provider, deCarta and data support from one of mapIT’s shareholders, TomTom Africa.

mapIT’s DevZone Day also included guests from France and Germany and comprised topics such as: Web Maps API and Going Mobile, exposing developers to the fundamentals of building LBS environments that are optimised for specific verticals, target audiences and needs ‚ delivering maximum business returns.

‚The feedback from attendees was very positive and developers were excited about the actual richness of the development platform that offers user friendly and cost savings benefits,‚ says Louw.

The DevZone Day also included a competition for the best application developed on the day and mapIT is pleased to announce that the winner is InfoTech. InfoTech developers built an application that attempts to find streets with the same names as listed friends. It displays a marker for each item found on the map. Friends can therefore be added and their names geocoded to specific related street names. The competition prize was valued at R30 000.

The next, free DevZone Day is scheduled for October this year and will coincide with mapIT’s silver sponsorshiop of the GISSA Ukubuzana 2012 event.

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