Universal address system gets Microsoft backing

June 3, 2003

With backing from Microsoft Corp., a Toronto company's dream of a universal addressing system is taking a step closer to reality.

NAC Geographic Products Inc. is on the verge of launching a commercial version of its Mobile Location-Based Services Network with help from Microsoft's MapPoint Web location service.

The Universal Address System and the Natural Area Coding System have been developed by NAC Geographic president Xinhang Shen as part of his dream to rationalize and standardize the world's many and conflicting systems of addresses and area codes.

Based on latitude and longitude, the NAC system can represent an area the size of a province using two alphanumeric characters. A "universal address" with six characters will narrow down a search to an area measuring one square kilometre. With 10 characters, it can represent a specific area measuring one square metre.

The proposed 10-digit universal address could be used for both homes and businesses. Slightly longer than Canada's six-digit alphanumeric postal code, it would narrow down addresses more accurately. For example, NAC Geographic Products' address in Toronto would be 8CNB5 Q8Z4R.

A universal addressing system has been a "Holy Grail," according to Tim Evangelatos, Strategic Technologies and Policy Adviser for GeoConnections at Natural Resources Canada in Ottawa.

"The idea is not unique by any means, but this system is interesting and it builds on other things that have been proposed for more than a decade," he told Globe and Mail Update in a previous interview about NAC's addressing system.

The problem with universal addressing is basically how to promote one system as a standard. Most countries already use their own national addressing systems (the alpha-numeric Canadian postal code and numbers-only U.S. "zip" code system, for example), and it's difficult to get past the cultural barriers and bureaucratic red tape necessary to get them to adopt something new. It's a chicken-and-egg scenario ? most countries won't standardize on a specific universal address system until it clearly has international acceptance, but such a system won't earn that international backing until lots of countries or major logistics companies and mapping services start using it.

With Microsoft's data engine behind it, Mr. Shen thinks the NAC stands a better chance of gaining the necessary universal acceptance. Street address for 18 countries are listed with MapPoint. The system also lists 25 countries for driving directions, as well as complete addresses in 58 cities. With the launch of the Mobile Location Based Services Network, users can also get driving directions, maps and location-based search services in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and Swedish. The MapPoint system is designed to work with wired and wireless devices, from cellphones to desktop computers.

The NAC universal addressing technique not only makes for easier and more efficient delivery of mail, geography specialists can use it for making maps of specific areas, Mr. Shen said. Search and rescue operations could use the natural area codes, as well as municipalities trying to keep track of specific traffic lights and fire hydrants for maintenance purposes. At its basic level, individuals who want to track a route from one point to another or designate a specific meeting place can use the Universal Address System for accuracy.

What makes NAC Geographic Products' system particularly interesting it can work with electronic map software and global positioning systems that have been configured to recognize its alpha-numeric location system.

Moreover, the system is flexible. By adding characters, NACs can also represent a point in, around or above the earth, using the centre of the earth as a reference point. This is handy for pinpointing areas underground for mining companies, or in space for orbiting satellites.

The system also offers an economy of effort, Mr. Shen said. It can reduce 80 per cent of the input keywork when setting up a shipment, because a universal address has only eight or 10 characters, and a Natural Area Code needs only two, four or six characters. In contrast, a typical traditional address needs 50 characters for the street name, country, zip code, and so on.

Source: theglobeandmail.com