Existing digital address code could be the solution for Government’s new postcode initiative

Oct. 11, 2010 - PRLog -- Gary Delaney, CEO of Loc8 Code Ltd. who recently launched an all-Ireland digital address code system (using Ordnance Survey Ireland and Land & Property Services Northern Ireland map data) has today welcomed the news that the Irish Government has appointed a group of consultants to assist the Minister for Communications in revising proposals to implement a postcode in Ireland.
‘We are convinced that the Government will see the merits of using Loc8 Code’s tried and tested digital address code system as a national system providing the most precise information country-wide, including Northern Ireland.  We are supported by Enterprise Ireland in our efforts and feel our offering is the solution to the Government’s requirements. Since our launch on July 12th 2010, in excess of 65,000 people have visited our website and over 45,000 new codes have been generated for people to utilise - proving that both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are adapting to this user friendly modern system’ Mr. Delaney said.
Describing the system as ‘a smarter form of postcode’ (it brings the user to within + or - 6 metres of any location), Mr. Delaney stated that Loc8 Code is already being embraced by several multi-national and national businesses, organisations and members of the public who have moved to incorporate Loc8 Code into their day to day operations.  ‘Considerable interest in Loc8 Code has been demonstrated by the media, by emergency services personnel, organisations and individuals who traverse the country on a regular basis’ he said.  
The Government’s current Postcode Proposal that PA Consulting (who have been awarded the contract by the Government to look into postcodes for the third time) must now review cannot be used directly by SatNavs, iPhones or other GPS enabled devices making it very limited for popular and general use.  
However, the Loc8 Code system, which, according to the recent Irish Government’s Oireachtas Report could be suitable for adoption as the NATIONAL postcode, and which has been nominated for several Realex Web Awards is very simple to use, and works through the input of address information of any location into the Loc8 Code website (www.loc8code.com), and the site then generates a unique navigation code and assigns it to the individual location. It will be suitable to anyone who relies upon navigating to, or finding, an individual location; whether it be a private consumer or delivery business. The system is an add-on to traditional addresses and is language independent.

Not only can the Loc8 Code be used in a SatNav or GPS enabled mobile device, but also it can be used in conjunction with a web address to map a location easily.  www.loc8code.com/W8L-82-4YK will show the Loc8 Code on a map.

Garmin Europe, the global leader in Satellite Navigation Systems has put considerable resources behind promoting the Loc8 Code functionality on its SatNav devices and they have been thoroughly satisfied with the results achieved in terms of ease of access and the time/fuel saving it can ensure its SatNav users.  
In its previous reports, PA Consulting identified how current Government plans for a broad area based postcode would not solve the problem with non unique addressing in Ireland and it is widely known now since the introduction of Loc8 Codes that Garmin and Loc8 Code Ltd have solved this problem allowing properties and any other locations have their own unique Loc8 Code to ensure they can be found fast and efficiently saving time and fuel costs.
Gary Delaney concluded by saying: ‘The use of Loc8 Codes would slash the €50million costs currently budgeted for in a previous PA report for the broad area system proposed by the Government - as most of the work is already done by Loc8 Code with the support of Enterprise Ireland and the most precise mapping available through Ordnance Survey Ireland.  In simple terms – the work is done, there is already a smarter form of a postcode in operation and we will be privileged to enter into negotiations with the Government’s consultants in bringing this modern solution to a forward-thinking public’.

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Loc8 Code , which launched in Trinity College Dublin, is Ireland's First and only all Ireland Digital Address Code System. Loc8 Code Ltd., headquartered at Church Bay, Crosshaven, Co. Cork, W8L-82-4YK. Loc8 Codes, formerly PON Codes were developed and tested by GPS Ireland, a GPS specialist company based in Cork which delivers solutions to professional users of GPS (Global Positioning Systems) in Ireland. GPS Ireland has been involved in GPS for over 12 years and began to develop Loc8 Codes in 2006 as a result of demand from clients. Loc8 Code Ltd has now been formed to launch and support Loc8 Codes into the market as new enterprise. CEO Gary Delaney is a former Naval Officer, and is an experienced land and hydrographic surveyor who has advised and trained both Government and Blue Chip organisations in the use of GPS for everything from precise surveying to people tracking.