With MapInfo, Sydney Olympics Are Off and Running

With MapInfo, Sydney Olympics Are Off and Running

MapInfo Corporation today announced that the Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) used MapInfo technology to create hundreds of maps for the longest torch relay in the history of the modern games. Additionally, MapInfo technology was used by TNT Express to map more than 5,500 delivery routes to 400,000+ Australian ticket holders.

SOCOG relied on MapInfo Professional®, MapInfo's flagship mapping product for mapping analysis and interpretation of geographic information, and census information to map the national route for the Olympic Torch Relay, which covered more than 27,000 kilometers (16,740 miles) in 100 days. Population statistics were also used to optimally locate the afternoon and evening celebrations. By using MapInfo technology, SOCOG determined where to end each day's route based on which towns had the capacity to accommodate the celebration and crew accompanying the Torch Relay. One of the most important uses of the software was measuring distances for Torch Relay legs featuring several modes of transportationroads, railways and boats.

Beyond creating route maps, MapInfo technology was used to provide logistical information for the 11,000 torchbearers and 2,500 escort runners, in addition to drivers and support crew in a 50-vehicle convoy. With MapInfo technology and population data, SOCOG generated a torch route to ensure that more than 85 percent of the Australian population lived within a one-hour drive of the chosen route. This route crossed 1,000 towns through every Australian state and territory.

"We couldn't have created the torchbearer selection process without MapInfo and CDATA96, and it was invaluable as a backup for picking up discrepancies in the information in our database it's as simple as that." said Ant Burnett, SOCOG torch relay mapping and IT specialist.

TNT Express used MapInfo technology to streamline the complex delivery of more than 5,500 runs, delivering Olympic tickets to some 400,000 Australian homes. Each member of TNT's delivery staff was given a list of the addresses and a map generated by MapInfo showing the exact location of every home that was to receive a ticket package within their delivery area.

"MapInfo software was perfect for this project," said Mike Milward, TNT Express national sales manager. "It gives you the ability to cross reference and mark every single address within Australia, which enabled us to build our delivery zones."

"MapInfo is the enabling technology of choice for thousands of organizations throughout the world and we are delighted that our technology is being used to help the 2000 Olympics Games run smoothly," said John Cavalier, CEO of MapInfo Corporation.

More information at www.mapinfo.com