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Map Explorer: Technology That Turns Paper Maps Into Interactive Displays

Nowdays digital technology can improve user experience across a variety of segments. One of them is travel, more specifically hiking and travel maps. Although you can find maps on the internet, paper maps still retain a certain charm. After all, a smartphone has limited battery capacity and can fail you in challenging conditions. It’s much easier to lay out a whole hiking map in front of you.

But how can you find interesting places or attractions to visit along the way on your favourite printed map? That’s what we’ve managed to bring to life with the development of Map Explorer. With a simple scan. of the paper map via your smartphone, all the interesting spots, tours, attractions, landmarks, museums, shelters and much more will appear on your display in real time. You can also click on these places, see their photographs and descriptions, or go straight to the website to find out more information.

Scope and highlights

Business Context

Creative Business Studio is committed to creating products that have a clear mission – to show a unique view of the landscape. At the same time, it’s designed to make the whole process easier for the user, whether it’s through painted maps, photos of regions, updated tourist maps or virtual tourist 360 photos.

The idea to create Map Explorer was a natural outcome of the needs of tourists, who needed to simplify their route planning and at the same time get all the necessary information about nearby attractions in one place, without having to spend a lot of time searching for this information. Map Explorer brought innovation to a segment where there seemed to be no scope for further improvement.

We helped our partner, CBS, create a unique app that is unparalleled and will not only help tourists utilise their time but will also help them discover new places of interest just by hovering their smartphone over any tourist map. In doing so, CBS has further reinforced its position and strengthened its mission to provide a unique view of the landscape.

Key challenges

In developing the Map Explorer project, we had to overcome several challenges.

First phase of prototyping

that fully replaces the traditional paper form and allows us to measure usage of supplies.

Project management

of easy communication and data transparency.

Technological solution

from IoT devices and scanning devices used by the cleaning staff. This data was needed to create reports for the end customers and managers, thereby improving transparency and processes in the CleanTech industry.

Accuracy of recognition

In addition to recognition, mapping digital points of interest was also a challenge. The accuracy of recognition, the speed on mobile devices, dealing with different lighting constraints and the variety of mobile devices and their cameras were all points to consider

Despite these challenges, we were able to create a unique and precedent-setting solution that will make it easier for tourists to plan experiences while meeting the business requirements of our client, CBS.

Process

As Map Explorer was an innovative project, in the first phase we focused on technical prototyping. We took on all the costs until we were certain that the technology would work 100% of the time.

Interestingly, the project was originally meant to be financed by European funds. The approval process took a long time, but in the end it could not be brought to a successful conclusion. However, this gave us time to explore all the technological possibilities and subsequently prepare a prototype.

Our partner, CBS, was so happy with the prototype that we were able to start working on the final solution, which we translated into an Android and iOS app.

Using an open-source library of computer vision algorithms, OpenCV, we enhanced printed maps with augmented reality, which allowed us to differentiate printed maps and associate individual points of interest with them. To give you a better sense of what it does, if you want to know if a particular lodge in the High Tatras is open, or if they have any vacancies or special offers, all you have to do is open the link that appears on the map and read the relevant information.

Another solution used in the development process was React Native with a proprietary Android and iOS module, as well as React, NodeJS, AWS and DynamoDB for creating maps. The entire solution was fine-tuned through multiple iterations to make map detection work not only from multiple angles, but also in low-light environments.

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The result

The right choice of the technology employed has improved the productivity and efficiency of data collection and processing. The result is a system that can not only solve identified problems proactively and in real time, but also significantly reduces client costs.

The right choice of technology used and a well thought-out process involving technical prototyping ensured that the app works on a wide range of Android and iOS devices, without significant errors even in difficult lighting conditions. We have managed to create a technology that scans the map in real time, detects individual points of interest and associates them with information about the point of interest in real time. At the same time, we learned a valuable lesson in project management, where we confirmed the agility of our team, which we will be able to make full use of in future projects.

The aim of the project – to transform traditional printed maps into an interactive display and to complement them with detection and subsequent augmentation with real-time digital

waypoints – was achieved in line with our expectations.

In addition, the Map Explorer project has become the basis for future projects using artificial intelligence. Map Explorer is currently available for download via Google Play and the App Store, and it also works in offline mode. That’s sure to be appreciated by any hiker who doesn’t necessarily always have access to the internet on their adventures. After simply scanning the ISBN code of a printed map, you will be presented with the option to view that map. Moving the camera around the map will show its various points, including the name of each given location. Clicking on it will bring up a description of the place and any relevant information about it.

Innovation in

the travel &

tourism

industry

Tourism and travel has taken a major leap forward in recent years thanks to innovative technology, whether it’s voice search, virtual reality, chatbots or augmented reality. It is the latter – augmented reality – that we used in the Map Explorer project to make the whole process of planning tourism and travel easier and more enjoyable for users.

Thanks to the app, users can customise their itinerary in even more detail and visit many more places of interest without spending too much time planning. All they need is a map and an app to enhance their hiking experience.

The benefits of the Map Explorer

Ease of use

by scanning the map
ISBN code

Saving time

when planning tourist and travel experiences

Simplified searching

for attractions, trips and interesting routes across the map area

Information

about attractions, excursions and points of interest, all in one place

Map Explorer

features

Scannable ISBN code for all available hiking maps
Real-time map detection
Easy scanning of the printed map using the phone’s camera
Interactive display of points of interest on the map using augmented reality
Grouping and filtering points of interest by category
Creation of maps by an administrator
Also works offline without internet access

The project involved
a team of experts

Ján

Account manager

Jozef

Junior developer with AI skills who designed the prototype algorithm

Martin

Senior developer and AI expert who perfected the algorithm alongside Jozef

Michal

Contributed to the development of the React Native application itself

Michal

Project manager

Developing Map Explorer through the eyes of our experts

What did the beginning of the collaboration look like?

As Map Explorer was a very innovative project, the first phase involved prototyping to determine whether it was technologically feasible to enrich the map with digital points of interest in real time. Originally the project was to be funded by European funds, but after several delays the money could not be obtained. We used this time to explore the technological possibilities and showed the customer a working prototype.

What were the biggest challenges you encountered?

The biggest challenge was recognising the scanned part of the map and mapping the digital points of interest based on the map template created by the administrator. The accuracy of the recognition, the speed on mobile devices, different lighting constraints and the differentiation of mobile devices and their built-in cameras made development difficult for us. Eventually, we were able to overcome these issues through multiple iterations of prototypes. At the same time, technical prototyping was also a challenge for project management and a great exercise in how to lead a project where it is not possible to determine in advance whether the technical solution will be sufficient for the business requirements.

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From Paper to Cloud: The Journey of Manager Online in Streamlining Business Operations

Cleaning services are certainly not lagging behind in the current digital revolution. With our help, startup Manager Online has changed the rules of the game. Clients no longer need paper-based receipts and supporting documents. Thanks to a straightforward app, business owners have a full overview of each and every move of their cleaning staff.

Saving time, costs and environmental sustainability are some of the many benefits that Manager Online has brought to cleaning services. Throughout this journey, Instea has become their stable partner not only in the field of development and technical support, but also for business issues and solutions.

Scope and highlights

Business Context

Cleaning services have long faced the problem of inadequate information about the activities of their staff. As a result, our partner, startup Manager Online, came to us with the idea of creating an app that would provide cleaning staff with an intuitive way to record their work or usage of specific supplies.

The app would also allow company managers to track all the staff data in real time and assign them additional tasks, as the cleaning of premises is often done during non-business hours by external companies.

Key challenges

In order to create a streamlined Manager Online system, we had to overcome several key challenges.

The creation of a digital solution

that fully replaces the traditional paper form and allows us to measure usage of supplies.

The provision

of easy communication and data transparency.

Collection and processing of data

Process

Initially, the project was managed by Vacuumlabs. The cooperation with the Manager Online team was smooth and without major issues. We started by rewriting their existing application within a different technology, replacing the original front end team and later the back end team.

As an experienced IT company, we supported startup Manager Online with the entire development cycle, from complex development, through testing, to sales activities.

Manager Online works with devices that collect various data in real time.

Therefore, it was important to design the architecture and core components of the application using React and Redux technology.

The Back End solution uses the Java programming language.

It forms the server part of the application that processes data coming from scanners. The application also utilises IoT devices to track and visualise cleaning machines. These machines communicate with the system via MQTT.

Familiar language allowed us to create a lively and intuitive UX/UI

That makes navigating the system quick and easy.

While working with the team from Manager Online

we initially chose to apply the SCRUM methodology and changed to Kanban further down the line. We used bi-weekly sprints to communicate what had been done, what the next plans were and we discussed any potential new requirements.

Through regular face-to-face meetings and transparent communication

with Manager Online, we were able to build not only a strong, but also a friendly relationship. We even sit together in the same office.

Interested?

Try a free

consultation!

The result

Manager Online is a digital system that allows businesses to manage cleaning services using a simple mobile app. Employees gained an easy way to record activities during their working day, along with the amount of supplies used.

The Online Manager

System saves up to hundreds of pages of regular reports each month.

The tender success

The tender success rate of cleaning companies has increased significantly after they showed that they use Manager Online.

2022 for the Manager Online

In 2022, the Manager Online system won the prestigious BUILD Facilities Management Awards 2022, making it one of the world’s leading systems for facilities management and administration.

Innovation

in CleanTech

CleanTech stands for “clean technology”. It is a field that focuses on the use of technology and innovative solutions to minimise the negative impact of human activities on the environment. CleanTech encompasses a variety of technologies, from renewable energy and energy-efficient buildings through to green transport solutions. The industry is constantly evolving, not least due to the increased need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental problems associated with traditional industrial processes and manufacturing.

Manager Online is contributing to these efforts with innovative solutions that are digitising cleaning services.

The benefits of the Manager Online system

Saving time and costs

Manager Online enables company executives to manage cleaning services more efficiently. Digital data logging enables instant data evaluation, improving decision-making and cleaning service results.

Improved communication

Manager Online delivers improved communication between staff and managers, ensuring better planning and management of services. In later stages, we also extended the product to include communication with targeted customers, giving us an even more detailed view of customer needs.

Better quality of services

All thanks to monitoring of staff activity.

Ecological sustainability

Monitoring and management of usage of supplies.

Simplicity of use

Anyone can work with the system following a brief training course.

Transparency

For staff who work from home.

Manager Online features

Each cleaner logs into the app before the start of their workday. This allows them to report on their activities throughout the day. This feature improves productivity and allows for efficient scheduling of their working hours. Workers can use the app to instantly record work completed and supplies used. Managers are able to track work progress in real time and respond immediately to any issues that are flagged.

The system offers an easy overview of work plans and the current status of their staff. They can schedule and distribute work with just a few clicks and track worker progress through regular reports and briefings. The application also offers features for scheduling regular tasks and for managing additional requests and incidents, as well as setting work rotas.

Immediate alerts and staff management

Manager Online is contributing to these efforts with innovative solutions that are digitising cleaning services.

Employee records

Manager Online allows you to assign employees to customers and the tasks they are due to carry out. You can record employee attendance using attendance cards and with the integrated calendar, you can easily plan and organise employee tasks and ensure that all tasks are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

You can find out more about Manager Online on their website.

The project involved
a team of experts

Product team

PROJECT MANAGER
BUSINESS ANALYST

PM: Ján Švantner

Developer team

ARCHITECT, DEVOPS, BACK-END DEVELOPERS,FRONT-END DEVELOPERS, QA

Lead developer: Jozef Kamenský

The development of Manger Online through the eyes of Jozef Kamenský

What did the beginning of the collaboration look like?

As with any relationship, it took some time for us to gel, develop a common language and get a feel for each other's expectations and ways of working. However, in the later stages of the project, communication was greatly helped by the fact that the client and I sat (and still sit) together in the same office.

What were the biggest challenges we faced?

The Biggest challenge of the project has been the creation of mobile applications. Applications must be as usable as possible even without access to the Internet, which requires a departure from the comfortable technology used in the development of applications. However, we have reached the desired state after thorough analysis and careful design of the solution. Users do not even notice the fact that they are working without access to the Internet.

What was the communication like?

I especially appreciate the openness and cooperation of the customer - he was always ready to answer questions and listen to our suggestions and observations. The common goal has always been to design a solution that is as lazy as possible to implement, but at the same time provides as much freedom as possible and is easy to use - when sometimes this meant ultimately surviving the original design.

What lessons can be learned from this project?

The main lesson and recommendation simultaneously - measure twice and cut once. It is always better to spend an hour on a proposal and a discussion, where inconsistencies are shown and clarified than to spend a day on implementation and then find out that the solution will not work and needs redone. Sharing our office with clients has also proven useful for us. The ability to quickly obtain or clarify a misunderstanding is priceless.

Quote by Manger Online

As a startup you need strong partners. Whatever it is you want to change with your idea, if software is a part of it, you will need experts in the field. Developing a software solution from scratch requires expertise, creativity, responsiveness, an experienced project management team and, last but not least, a well-positioned, qualified and motivated team of developers. This and more we found in Instea. Since we are determined to bring value to the industry of facility management and cleaning services, the biggest challenge in the beginning was to bring the Instea team up to speed with regards to all the specific needs and challenges within this industry. Throughout an impressively steep learning curve, Instea was quickly able to provide more value than “just” excellent and fast development results. Today our customers are using a solid, fast, and intuitive web application as well as native mobile applications to get all kinds of operational data, from cleaning times to quality audits, in real-time for an efficient and effective decision-making process. That said, Instea certainly has its share in the two Awards, ManagerOnline received in 2022. (The Facilities Management Award for the “Best Cleaners and Machinery Monitoring System “, and the Innovation and Excellent Award in the category “ Innovation in Cleaning Technology “)

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