Vol XI, No. 2 - Fall 2003
Contents |
In Focus |
Mapmaking |
Geonews |
Profile
Joel Minster is senior vice president for geographic information systems at Rand McNally in Skokie, IL. He is a professional engineer with degrees from Valparaiso and Butler universities. Joel is responsible for creating and updating all maps for all of Rand McNally's product lines.
Founded in 1856, Rand McNally has been an industry leader in providing travel information and mapping tools for educators, railroads, and the motoring public. Rand McNally is renowned for Goode's World Atlas (1923), The International Atlas (1969), and the Commercial Atlas (1869), now in its 134th edition. Rand's ubiquitous Road Atlas first appeared in 1924, became full color in 1960, and digital in 1992. From introducing travelers to signed road numbers to producing the first digital road atlas, the company continues to be at the forefront of innovation and technology in the mapping industry.
A civil engineer by training, Joel joined Rand McNally in 2000 after many years creating maps from relational databases. These "automated maps" evolved into geographical information systems, that today is known simply as GIS. Joel continues to be faced with many challenges--pleasing the customer as number one. Because society is increasingly mobile, consumers demand information in many more forms than the paper map. His experience with digital mapping and GIS helps Rand McNally meet this demand for non-traditional, i.e., electronic, products.
Joel states that the company's biggest challenge is to provide this information anytime, anywhere, and in whatever form the consumer demands. Joel notes that travel survey data reveals recent changes in travel habits. During the summer of 2002, people were taking shorter trips closer to home with stays over one or two nights. And again this year, surveys have confirmed that the road trip will be the top choice for vacationers. Quantifying people's travel habits can lead to innovations and new map products.
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"Our biggest challenge is to provide [map] information anytime, anywhere..."
- Joel Minster
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So, travel information must now be available not only on paper but also downloadable through the Internet for both desktop and handheld devices. Rand McNally's products employ this connectivity through an "Express Access Code" on printed products, which is a code to give users quick access to more travel information on Rand McNally's web site.
Because of the nature of travel and technology, Joel predicts that travel products will need to be even more integrated--that is, directions on a cell phone will refer to a page and grid in a Rand McNally Road Atlas or Street Guide. By understanding how customers use maps, Rand McNally is increasing the delivery of integrated map products so the customer can choose the medium, map features, and format they want. Express Access Codes steer the user to detailed information on www.randmcnally.com and these and other electronic maps guide the user back to standardized page and grid numbers on printed maps. This, Joel maintains, is key to what separates Rand McNally from its competitors.
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