I would like to know the full details of software, hardware, and
process used by top map makers Rand McNally and Aero Atlas as if I
wanted to be a top map maker myself and use the same process, price
being no object for the software and hardware.

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Clarification of Question by capitalwebmaster-ga on 03 May 2002 10:01 PDT

Let me clarify that I am a map maker for the sanitation industry. The
current tools we use (ArcView 3.2a and RouteSmart) are not cutting the
mustard with our drivers. We need the highest quality maps made with
the highest quality software. I'm sure it would be almost impossible
to get one of those big map makers to share with anyone the specific
tools they use. I need names of software pieces and how they fit
together.

Dear CapitalWebMaster,

Thank you for your inquiry.

When I think of GIS, I think of 2 companies, Etak (
http://www.etak.com/mktapps/gis.html ) and NavTech (
http://www.navtech.com/index.jsp ).  Etak is now TeleAtlas but I still
think of them as Etak.  Unlike you, I am not a mapmaker but having
been on the Internet for a while now, I noticed very early on that
whoever had mapping services seemed to use one or the other of these
two services as their data provider.

I went to both Etak and NavTech's sites and found on NavTech's site
that Rand McNally recently signed a contract with them.  See the press
release at:
http://www.navtech.com/Press/04-22-2002-137.html


Etak/TeleAtlas is being used by PG&E as well as PACE, the 14th largest
bus service in the US and Canada.  You can see the press release at:
http://www.etak.com/newsevents/2001/custwin1.html


As you mentioned there is not much information about the specifics of
what hardware Rand McNally uses but you can talk to NavTech or
TeleAtlas about their minimum requirements.  I am fairly certain that
either of these companies can easily put together a plan and
architecture with either their products or their partner services to
meet your requirements.

Good mapping!

Simple.  Cost no object, right?

Buy the US GS mapset.  Add all local maps from states, counties etc. 
Hire a few GIS programmers.  Hire  a few Windows programmers.  Port
the GIS data from the US maps to your proprietary format.  make a
Windows interface.  Make a Mac interface.  Or, write it in Java or QT
and sell one product to Mac, Windows and Unix users.

Or, if cost is *truly* no object, do your own survey work; all the
current surveys are old and inaccurate in at least some parts.  Match
GIS data to new satelite photos and map overlays.

Based on his wording, I think he may be more interested in what top
mapmakers really use (e.g. for a report or something,) as opposed to
possible ways to accomplish the task of mapmaking.

If the area is a small one, a county perhaps, you could use GPS to
re-mark and the important road junctions off an existing map, and then
use a drawing software to re-work your own map. You can then own the
copyright.

Anyone knows what software can be used to input GPS coordinates to
redraw a map?

Capitalwebmaster,

You might try Thomas Brothers Maps : 
http://www.thomas.com/

#1 They produce the series of Thomas Guide maps that many drivers use
#2 They sell the software to make your own maps

Two good reasons to check them out.

Google search terms: Rand McNally cartography software
://www.google.com/search?num=20&hl=en&safe=off&q=Rand+McNally+cartography+software

Mappy happing...er..happy mapping!

Navtech and Etak build quality propietary data street data sets you
can use in an application.  Navtech uses city parcel maps and a
vareity of other sources to build the street sets using proprietary
in-house software.  I don't know about ETAK, but assume its about the
same.

For software, about the best you can get is MAPLEX by ESRI.  More
information is at: http://www.esri.com/software/maplex/index.html . 
It will cost you though.  Between that and ArcGIS 3.2 is the newer
ArcGIS 8 series of products that have more advanced cartographic
features.  They will both be able to use your existing ArcView 3.2
Data.

Regards, Scott

I don't know why NavTech and TeleAtlas are even in the discussion for
software......

What you need is ArcView 8.3, and possibly MaPublisher from Avenza
Systems (addition to Illustrator). This combo will give you the
ability to generate beautiful, atlas quality maps.

You may have a problem with your data source rather than the
software.....in this case, you can email me for more information.

There is a good GIS software company called Innogistic in Bristol, UK.