Deutsche Post and DHL switch to OSM from Google Maps [DE]
Deutsche Post and DHL switch to OSM from Google Maps [DE]
And they contribute back to the project, right? Right?
33Just switching by itself is a huge contribution.
And I also think they pay to use it, since commercial usage is not free.
31since commercial usage is not free
Commercial usage oft the osm data is free, see the OSM license. The article even speculates that they switched from Google maps due to licenses costs.
Of course this doesn't apply to commercial services that provide e.g. map tiles.
26I dont think they pay anything I the article itself it says it’s free to use and that the main factor to switch were the costs. In the comments there people also say that DHL doesn’t seem to donate to the project.
Here ist the part from the article translated to English:
Since there has been no announcement of the change from either Deutsche Post or DHL, the reasons for this step remain unclear. Presumably, cost reasons may have played a role. Deutsche Post had to pay fees to Google for the use of Google Maps. The data of Openstreetmap is under a free license and may be used without payment of license fees.
4
Possibly, their map data input would be absolutely massive
10The simple fact companies like this se the data. Will encourage others who use those companies to update data around them.
Many small companies will find it useful to ensure OSM knows where they are. And inďeviduals who often do not choose delivery companies. Will quickly discover adding short cuts and details around them helps ensure there parcels arrive.
Not to mention most drivers for a company like this. Will want to aid other drivers if they find useful info during an of the beaten path delivery.
3
OSM Germany is absolutely detailed. Honestly, german contributors could spare some time mapping in other countries.
21Germany looks detailed but a lot of information is missing. The most important part is to get osm recognized by the people as the map source. Where companies add their info because they see value in doing so because if you are not on osm, your business doesn't exist.
14@selokichtli @julianwgs in the early days, people used to joke that to get good data in #OpenStreetMap you either had to import data, or import Germans. 🤣🤣
8@amapanda @selokichtli @julianwgs
There was also this joke (which did turn darker two years later): https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Quotes#2012-07-20 .1
At least for the more fundamental information like paths or trails this is true. I only really get to map stuff when in holidays abroad, because here you have to check a 100 times if something is mapped to find a handful of chances to contribute anything, which has a frustrating feel to it 😅
4Have you heard of Streetcomplete? If not it's an app which turns OSM mapping into a game of sorts.
It shows bubbles for missing information at your current location. I.e. what's the surface type of this particular road or way? What kind of parking lot is this? What are the opening hours of this shop?
9
Finally all those doors I mapped become valuable for someone.
15Awesome. Always annoyed me when I got a delivery from them, but couldn't view the map without selling my soul to Google.
13This is great news!
10Could someone post a translation?
2Deutsche Post and DHL switch from Google Maps to Openstreetmap
The Deutsche Post and DHL no longer use Google Maps when tracking. Instead, they rely on maps of Openstreetmap.
Deutsche Post and DHL have switched internally to Openstreetmap when it comes to functions that access map data. With this step, all functions of DHL or Deutsche Post should continue to be usable for customers as usual. Only the look of the map material is different from Google Maps at Openstreetmap.
Officially, this step was not announced by Deutsche Post or DHL. Anyone, who displays the position of the DHL vehicle in the map, when tracking parcels in the future, does not see this with map data from Google Maps. This applies both to parcel tracking on the DHL website and in the DHL app.
For many other services from Deutsche Post and DHL, the map material from Openstreetmap is now also used. This applies, for example, to the search for DHL locations, for finding mailboxes, post offices or packing stations on the Deutsche Post website.
This should reduce costs
Since there is neither an announcement of the change from Deutsche Post nor from DHL, the reasons for this step remain unclear. Costs are likely to have played a role. For the use of Google Maps, Deutsche Post had to pay fees to Google. The data of Openstreetmap is licensed under a free license and may be used without payment of license costs.
It is not known whether the Deutsche Post or DHL is planning new features that may not be feasible with the map material from Google Maps and can now be achieved by switching to Openstreetmap.
The international project Openstreetmap was founded in 2004 and provides its map data without charge. They are created by the commitment of volunteers and convince again and again with more details than map data from commercial providers such as Google Maps. All data on roads, train routes, rivers, hiking trails, forests and houses are collected by the participants themselves.
6Thanks
4