Big map produced by locr yields big results

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Press release from the issuing company

Production of drupa’s largest map results in a new customer for the leading provider of personalized maps

Braunschweig, Germany – locr GmbH, the world’s leading provider of GEOservices and personalized maps, announces today that they have concluded their participation at drupa by forming a new partnership with fotoboden. fotoboden, a German-based provider of floor coverings and visual graphics, will integrate locr maps into their web2print solution for customized graphics they create for companies. fotoboden choose locr after seeing the way maps were successfully produced in a wide format demonstration done by locr and EFI. fotoboden is the company’s first customer to use locr maps in a wide format environment.

A global map in wide format

During drupa, locr collaborated with EFI to produce the largest, detailed world map ever produced at drupa.

The map was created using locr’s open-source geo-data and proprietary cloud-based map creation and rendering system. The map is a single, high-resolution image that is 59054 pixels long by 39369 pixels wide in one 220Mb jpeg file.

The final map, which measured 7.5 meters long and 5 meters wide, was printed using the EFI Quantum LXr5 digital inkjet printer. The size and quality of the final map demonstrates that there is no limitation in size and resolution, so maps can now be produced up to the maximum production capability of the printer being used.

Rolf Richter, Chairman of locr, says, “At locr, we are always on the look out for opportunities to use maps in new and interesting ways. So we came to drupa with the idea of producing a map that would reflect the size and global nature of drupa itself. Partnering with EFI, we were able to produce a high-quality map of the world that surpassed our expectations, and showed – in a big way – the power maps have in adding value to print.”

The big map leads to big opportunities

At drupa, locr signed a new customer that will take advantage of the wide format map production capability.

Inspired by the quality and size of the giant map that was produced by locr and EFI, fotoboden will use locr’s maps in the patented vinyl floor coverings and graphics they produce for their global customer base that includes museums, tradeshows, retail stores, and television production. These floor coverings are printed individually based on the customer’s need, so they can be used as part of a marketing campaign or even a decorative element.

"As a large format printer of floorings, we think locr has a great application. We can easily integrate locr with our web2print solution, giving customers an easy way to create super large maps. These personalized maps can service the needs of a range of customers, including city tour centers and information centers that need a map to provide directions to points of interest and special offers. We look forward to working with locr, and to giving customers a whole new way to showcase the value of location,” says Timo Michalik, CEO of fotoboden.

To create these maps, locr combines data from OpenStreetMap with its sophisticated rendering technology to produce accurate, detailed maps of any region of the world. These maps can include any kind of personalization. Maps are available in different styles, depending on where and how the map will be used.

Holger Urbansky, Managing Director of locr, says “Our goal at locr is to produce maps that create a connection with the viewer. This type of connection can happen in a variety of mediums – direct mail, advertisements, photobooks, and now in wide format. Today, there are no barriers to size – or what you can accomplish when you combine maps and innovation.”