A unique mapping device for all web enabled phones has been launched in Africa with the potential to aid couriers, take-away deliverers and businesses.
mydoorhandle is the latest feature to be launched by Easy2Map, one of the startups in the 88mph accelerator programme in Cape Town, South Africa.
It allows users to log on from a web-enabled feature phone, smartphone or laptop and pinpoint their exact location and attach it to a handle – for example http://mydoorhandle.com/@HumanIPO
Speaking to HumanIPO on the day of the launch Steven Ellis, co-founder of Easy2Map, said: “Instead of trying to share a formal address with someone you use a mobile phone to plot your exact longitude and latitude.
“There are tools like this overseas in first world countries, but they are more aimed at people with smartphone access and computer experience. We hope it will find unique traction in a place like Africa.”
Once a user has set up their free handle they can share it on SMS, Facebook, Twitter and email and because it sits on Google Maps anyone the handle is shared with can receive directions to its location.
Easy2Map are currently focused on getting as many users’ ‘doorhandles’ online as possible, but see the future of the platform in providing white label versions to companies such as takeaways and couriers.
Ellis added: “Our first port of call is to get the consumer side up and running. We can then go to businesses with X number of users.”
Fellow co-founder Kishan Kalan said they had already spoken to fast food merchants in Nairobi who said delivery times take on average one hour, with problems often arising from location and directions.
The fast food service is also aided by the fact a customer could simply text their ‘doorhandle’ to the business, giving them both the relevant number and exact location.
Easy2Map has been in operation for around 18 months and began by building customised mapping services, which also sat on Google Maps, for clients.
However, the duo has benefited by being able to go full time after securing a place on the 88mph programme.
Ellis added: “We were very much part time until this opportunity [88mph] arose. That has allowed us to actually investigate potential mapping applications.”
