Author Archive for Lauren Eden

Property Technology Wins London Executive An Award

Published by Lauren Eden on December 5, 2008 in Company News, General Mapping and homepage news. 0 Comments

At Earthware we aim to use the latest in web based mapping technology to bring our client’s products and services to life which is why we make five promises to all of our clients including ‘to challenge ourselves to meet our client’s expectations’ and ‘to care about what they care about’. It is this ethos that inspires us to work hard to do all we can to achieve this and is why we are delighted to see our client’s being rewarded for the services that they provide.

Therefore, our congratulations go to our client London Executive on winning the Best UK Technology and Web category at this year’s Estate Agent of the Year Awards.

London Executive

We first got involved with Georges Verdis and the London Executive team back in September 2007 at PCS Expo (now Agency Expo). They were looking for an interactive mapping partner and thought EarthwareProperty was just the solution they were after. After working with them to brand the maps to fit the established London Executive colour and style, the maps were launched in January 2008 and became the first residential property implementation of EarthwareProperty. Since then London Executive have seen incredible growth thanks to their innovative approach to marketing property most notably their use of the Birds Eye imagery (which they have branded Property Bird) available in their property maps.

PropertyBird

It is innovative approaches such as this that we love and which led to London Executive winning this award. The judges said, “Two particular uses of technology make this entry stand out… [the] Bird’s Eye photography enables the prospective purchaser or tenant to see exactly where the home is located and what surrounds it. The London Executive deserves credit for finding and using this photography so effectively”.

Congratulations again to the London Executive team for their hard work in using technology and the web to market property in London.

However, it was not just one of our clients that were recognised at these awards. Our congratulations also go to Wow for being finalists in the Innovation category. It’s great to see all these people being recognised for their forward thinking approaches to the estate agency world.

EarthwareProperty Has Gone North

Published by Lauren Eden on November 18, 2008 in Company News, General Mapping and homepage news. 0 Comments

Cathedral Lettings are the Durham specialists when it comes to letting residential property. Their vision is to use their local knowledge and expertise in the lettings market to ‘match good tenants with good properties’ and make the process as simple as possible for both the tenant and landlord. It is in striving to meet this vision that Cathedral Lettings have become the latest company to implement Earthware’s property mapping product.

So the story goes like this: Mark Havers, Director of Cathedral Lettings, had realised that many of the tenants searching for property with Cathedral Lettings were looking to move to the Durham area from all over the country and indeed the world and that they often had little knowledge of the locality. Having recognised this knowledge gap, Mark wanted to find a solution and ensure the service his lettings agency offered did make finding property in Durham really easy. He recognised that using interactive maps was a really visually engaging way to display the locality information many of his tenants wanted to know. Having shared this idea with Aspasia, they pointed Mark in our direction. Of this Mark says, “When Aspasia told me about Earthware’s interactive mapping I was immediately interested and as soon as I saw it in operation I was very interested indeed”.

Cathedral Lettings Map Search

EarthwareProperty was designed to be really simple to implement; once the client has chosen which default features they want for their maps we send them a step by step guide including all the necessary code for a seamless implementation of our maps into their website. Cathedral Lettings really appreciated how simple this is saying that “working with Earthware to make the whole thing happen has been very straightforward”.

Although the maps have only been live for a short time Mark is already getting great feedback: “We’ve only been live for a week, but the response so far from our clients has been very positive”. Cathedral Lettings have achieved their aim of using the latest mapping technology to bring a residential lettings search tool to life and impart locality information in a visually compelling way making finding residential property to let in Durham much simpler.

If you have a vision to use interactive mapping to differentiate your company and bring your products and service to life then please contact us.

Multimap Launch Free Mapping for Small Businesses

Published by Lauren Eden on November 18, 2008 in General Mapping, Microsoft Virtual Earth and Multimap. 0 Comments

At Earthware, we have believed for some time that Microsoft/Multimap has been disadvantaged vs. Google API which offers embedded maps with free transactions to small mapping clients. With this in mind, we thought we would draw your attention to Multimap’s recently launched embedded mapping product which sees them fighting back Google in offering mapping for free to low volume commercial users.

This new version of the Multimap API allows website owners to embed a customised map into their site taking advantage of Microsoft Virtual Earth’s aerial imagery: all it takes is a single line of HTML code.

The key features are as follows:

· Designed for use by small businesses, personal websites and hobbyists.

· Includes up to 50,000 transactions per year (which Multimap track).

· It takes just as single line of HTML code to embed the map.

· Choice of map styles (TeleAtlas, Ordance Survey, and Barts) and map views (road view or aerial view, including coverage of the US using Microsoft Virtual Earth).

· The HTML code includes four hyperlinks back to Multimap allowing the user to see the location on Multimap with a bigger map, POI’s and business listings; view the location in Bird’s Eye; get directions to the location; get directions from the location.

To embed a map in your site simply:

1. Go to Multimap.

2. Search for your location on Find a Map.

3. Click on “link” on the top right of the map.

4. A box opens; click to accept T’s and C’s.

5. Select to “customise the map” (select the size of the map and move the red circle).

6. Copy and paste the line of HTML code.

Here’s an example of what the map will look like in your site as well as the links back to Multimap for POI’s, Bird’s eye etc:

We believe that Multimap have seen a rapid uptake in these maps into client’s websites. For a list of a few examples please click here.

Before you think this is the panacea of mapping we ought to mention that there are some downsides to the ‘embedded maps’ compared to a licensing for full commercial usage. These being:

  • Branding – when using the free mapping, the user leaves the client site to view the data and information within a clearly Multimap branded site. This may mean the user will associate the experience as much with the Multimap brand as they do with your brand.
  • Advertising – In the Terms and Conditions, Multimap reserve the right to add advertising to the embedded maps which is controlled solely by them and cannot be removed in the free version. There is always the possibility that the advertising will not fit well with your own site branding or content.
  • Usage - the maps cannot be embedded in internal business applications such as BI or CRM systems.

After all, it wouldn’t be reasonable to release an all singing and dancing version with unlimited transations for free – Microsoft and Multimap are businesses after all.

If you want our view, we think this is great news for clients who now have more choices in mapping technologies for low volume usage, or where they want to test out user experiences before dipping into their pockets for significant licence fees for wider usage. A thumbs up from us for Multimap!

Who Has Been Talking About Earthware and Street Level View?

Published by Lauren Eden on November 4, 2008 in Company News and General Mapping. 0 Comments

It has now been a couple of weeks since Earthware launched Street Level View in EarthwareProperty maps and implemented it in NovaLoca.com and people far and wide have been talking about it.

Who has been saying what?

The Rat and  Mouse, London’s Property Blog thinks the photography is sharp and the maps easy to navigate.

Property Technology, IT solutions news for the property market discusses the benefits of using Street Level View when looking for property.

All In London, London Forum offers a space for people to talk about what they think of Street Level View.

The Londonist, a website about London describes where the Street Level imagery came from and that it can now be ‘played with’ in NovaLoca.com

Digital Urban which explores how urban environments can be and are represented digitally explains how Street Level View has been implemented into Earthware’s maps and describes Earthware as "a company worth watching".

If you have seen an article about what Earthware have been doing with Street Level View or if you have something to say about Street Level View please contact us.

Earthware Is Recognised As A Great Place to Work!

Published by Lauren Eden on November 4, 2008 in Company News and Fun. 0 Comments

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Earthware are celebrating having become finalists for Team of the Year at the 2008 Business Startups Awards.

So what is it like working for Earthware?

From the outset Neil and Brian, Earthware’s directors, had a vision to be innovative and different from many other companies in terms of their attitude towards staff. At Earthware job titles are irrelevant, the whole team has a say in decisions regarding the company, everyone has access to the company finances, an open plan office space is essential and hierarchy has little, if any, bearing on how the company operates, (for an idea of our aspirations see Ricardo Semler’s “Maverick”).

We make every effort to identify the core strengths we have available within the Earthware team and armed with this knowledge we make sure the right person is doing the task to ensure the company is run as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. We also find that this is a great way to attract and keep excellent staff!

Features editor of Startups.co.uk Sara Rizk says "Earthware is a great example of  the kind of innovative and fresh thinking company that the Startups love to champion. The business keeps a strong focus on technology at its core while constantly thinking about how its products engage with its clients’ needs".

Discover what the Earthware team have to say and find out more about careers at Earthware and see what one newspaper had to say about us.

We Have Been Busy Web Developing Again.

Published by Lauren Eden on October 22, 2008 in Company News, General Mapping, Web Development and homepage news. 0 Comments

Earthware have now made live their latest web development project, an online estate agency website for residential property in Buckinghamshire, DreamSpot.

The journey began back in April 2008 when the two Neil’s first met. Neil Osmond, Earthware’s Operations Director and Neil Wood Managing Director of DreamSpot wanted to discuss how Earthware could help with the development and launch of this new online estate agency. The first step was for Earthware to build schematics for the site. Upon receipt of this Neil Wood became sure his dream of a website that made buying and selling property in Buckinghamshire really easy was possible and asked Earthware to submit a formal proposal for the entire site development and launch. The result of this is now available for all to see at DreamSpot.co.uk and Neil Wood is very happy with the process as much as he is with the result.

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“I just want to put in record how easy and enjoyable it has been working with all of you; I have always felt that the project was under control and at no stage was my confidence in your abilities to deliver unfounded! With all the other parts of setting up this business causing various amounts of stress it was so nice to know the major component, the website, was in capable hands.” Neil Wood, Managing Director, DreamSpot.

The site, which is split into two main sections, a buyer area and a seller area, aims to bring tomorrow’s estate agency services to the market today. Through being an online estate agent, DreamSpot are able to keep their overheads down, a saving which they pass on to their clients. But being online does not mean there is no-one to talk to or that you cannot control what is happening; not only can buyers ask the seller or the DreamSpot team a question using the websites messaging system they can book a viewing directly with the seller and the DreamSpot team are always at the end of a phone too.

In addition to developing the DreamSpot site, we have also implemented our residential property mapping, EarthwareProperty, allowing users to search for and see their next property in its actual location with road, aerial and Bird’s Eye imagery. Covering the Amersham, Beaconsfield, Chesham, High Wycombe, Chiltern and West Wycombe regions of Buckinghamshire, DreamSpot.co.uk provides information about what it is like to live in these areas of the county, as well as all providing financial and legal services for buyers and sellers and Home Information Packs (HIPs).

Contact DreamSpot to discover more about buying and selling property in Buckinghamshire or read the DreamSpot blog or if you are looking for web development services please contact us.

Street Level Views Are Coming to EarthwareProperty

Published by Lauren Eden on October 13, 2008 in Company News, Fun, General Mapping and Microsoft Virtual Earth. 0 Comments

Earthware’s aim has always been to “use the latest mapping technology to create compelling visual experiences to bring our clients’ products and services to life”. Therefore you can imagine our excitement when we saw the latest development in mapping being released: panoramic street level imagery. What better way to make a map compelling and to bring something to life than being able to see a location on your PC as though you are actually standing there and taking a walk around?!

Seety were the first to bring street level panoramic views to the UK having driven over 1000km of the streets in central London and taken over 170,000 photographs. Now to realise our commitment to using the latest mapping technology, Earthware have joined forces with them. Street Level View as we are calling it will be implemented into our existing EarthwareProperty maps in the coming days to become the first implementation of this latest mapping technology in the UK. Our Operations Director, Neil Osmond says of this development;

“At Earthware, we are delighted to be involved in somewhat of a coup in partnering with Seety to bring Street Level View to the UK before anyone else.  We are sure that people will really enjoy experiencing travelling round the streets of London through their PC.”

Having had a long standing relationship with commercial property finder NovaLoca, (Earthware built the NovaLoca site which also became the first implementation of EarthwareProperty) it seemed natural that NovaLoca also be the launch place for the first implementation of Street Level View imagery in the UK. Key to NovaLoca’s success has been their use of technology to differentiate them against similar offerings in its goal to make marketing commercial property easier for agents and finding commercial property easier for occupiers. Therefore it is not surprising that they were keen to be on board too. With Street Level View site users looking for commercial property in London will be able to ‘stand’ in front of a chosen property (see the facia not just the roof!), look at the one next door and even take a ‘walk’ to the nearest tube station or shop.

A note for the security and privacy conscious among you; Seety have carefully processed every image and blurred out all car registration plates and people’s faces to ensure their identity is not shown.

Keep an eye on the Earthware blog; we will be announcing the release of Street Level View in EarthwareProperty here first and if you would like any more information please contact us on 0845 6429880 or email us at info@earthware.co.uk.

Mapping the Olympics

Published by Lauren Eden on August 27, 2008 in General Mapping. 0 Comments

For a good example of how interactive maps can be used in sporting contexts see the Olympics map on the BBC sports website.

Get an aerial view of the sporting venues with an overlaid 3d image of the sites; search the map by sporting event or landmark you want to view; click on the icons to view the information pop-up and select to have blogs and twitters shown on the map giving up to date information on what is happening around the Olympic venues.

Although the information is embedded in the overlay rather than the map imagery which limits what you can see of the actual locations, the map gives a good overview of which events the venues are hosting, plus the blogs and twitters keep you up to date with each event and all from one web page.

This is the key point to interactive mapping: a highly visual environment allowing the user to research locations worldwide without ever needing to leave the map. This is the concept behind Earthware’s interactive property mapping and travel mapping products.

SQM Meets Captain Birds Eye

Published by Lauren Eden on July 10, 2008 in Company News, General Mapping and homepage news. 0 Comments

SQM Meets Captain Birds Eye

“Captain Birds Eye” aka Georges Verdis, general manager of London Executive, is featured in the June edition of SQM magazine giving rave reviews to his “new toy” Property Bird, an implementation of our mapping solution for residential and commercial property.

We move past the slightly cheesy title to the article attempting to put the Property Bird experience into words:

“Wow, it’s amazing… Not only can you swoop down the streets from all angles, you can also make the search criteria bespoke for your requirements… these would include where the nearest Waitrose, farmers market and hairdressers with parking are situated… [and] all the practical stuff too such as council tax brackets, doctors surgeries, schooling even the days the bins are collected”. However, “due to the lack of space” the article concluded that all the other stuff “you’ll just have to search out for yourself”.

As Georges gives examples of what Property Bird can do, it becomes evident of his enthusiasm for it. But what’s the point, the article daringly asks: “It’s by far the most advanced mapping system for estate agents”, comes George’s reply. “London Executive has a page rank of four on Google when you search for ‘London Property’ simply due to Property Bird’s click rate. The map page itself has a page rank of five. It would cost a fortune to pay for that kind of presence… In the last month, Property Bird certainly paid for itself”.

Read the full article to discover more about Property Bird and find out exactly why Georges is “a very satisfied customer” and to find out more about what Earthware’s mapping solutions can do for you and hear the stories of other satisfied customers contact info@earthware.co.uk or 08456429880.

Estate Agents are Moving Online

Published by Lauren Eden on June 17, 2008 in General Mapping. 0 Comments

Recent research by the Estate Agency Academy has found that estate agency has moved online. Maybe this goes some way to explain the influx of articles in magazines for estate agents (for examples see Estate Agency News, May 2008 and June 2008 editions and eafocus, May 2008 edition) discussing how their website is a crucial tool, more than paper marketing, in attracting customers to their agency over their competition, as the internet is fast becoming the first port of call when looking for new property.

So what are the key points to remember when developing a value adding Estate Agent website?

· The home page is your shop window. It should express your company’s values and personality and sell your brand.

· Be consistent throughout the site using your branding and your company’s key messages.

· Have a property search tool prominently placed on the home page so customers can find a property quickly and with as few clicks as possible.

· Show search results on a map.

· Provide a choice of how the property can be viewed. For example, photos, brief summaries of property details, full detail listings or aerial imagery of the property and the locality.

· Aim to inform the customer. Be honest and do not try to hide defects.

· Provide a choice of how the customer can request further information. For example, contact the agency directly by telephone or email, request property detailed be emailed to the customer, download the particulars direct from the website, request a call back from the agency or have notifications of new properties added to site emailed directly to the customers inbox.

· Ensure the website works in all browsers and with all connection speeds.

· Consider how to drive traffic to your website. For example, pay per click, increase natural Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) or register your properties on property portals.

The main aim is to stand out against the competition. At Earthware, we have been approached by a number of clients who wanted to know how we could help them with their property mapping and therefore, go some way to differentiating their website from all the rest. After seeing how our interactive mapping solution for Estate Agents works, they became convinced of the value the maps could having in achieving some of the key points the magazines have been talking about. In fact, Georges Verdis, of London estate agency London Executive who have implemented the mapping in their website, has commented on the difference it has made: “We have won instructions directly as a result, our site traffic has increased by 50%, our homepage Google Rank has gone from 2 to 4 and our map page has a Google rank of 5.” What the magazines are saying is true: a top quality website really can make a massive difference to your business and we believe that mapping is core to this.

For more information about how we can help you with your website visit www.earthware.co.uk or contact us at info@earthware.co.uk.

(Review taken from articles by Bob North in Estate Agency News, May 2008, Mark Masiak in eafocus, May 2008 and Peter Knight in Estate Agency News, June 2008)