 |
 |
|
| View
news articles about WizeGuides.Com: |
MIMC Press Release - Novemeber 6, 2001
WIZEGUIDES.COM INTERACTIVE FLASH MAPS -- A 2001 MIMC AWARD
WINNER New England's Best in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality BOSTON
|
| Boston Globe Business Section - Saturday June
16, 2001 |
|
Wizeguides.com helps navigate areas around MBTA
stops. ''I was going into map stores and looking for a map that
would show me where I was once I got out of the subway, and what
services are there, but the people at the stores told me they
get asked that all the time but there wasn't one,'' Ruiz said.
|
| Transportation Communications Newsletter -
Friday June 22, 2001 |
| Wizeguides.com Most transit systems provide maps showing where
stations are. A smaller number provide information about the neighborhood
around the stations. |
The Lodging news - August 20th, 2001
Boston was first in the US to have a subway system, so it should
only stand that Boston would have the first map in cyberspace that
also combines travel guide and subway information. A product of
WizeGuides.com Inc., http://www.wizeguides.com, the recently launched
interactive map has an animated owl that hosts the map features.
|
Online Guide to riding the T - Boston Metro
Ruiz developed the mapping technology after he found himself lost
on the T. |
Orange Lne offers a dynamic trip through several
cultures - Boston Metro
"You have to visit all the stops along the Orange line to see
how each can enrich you" said Ruiz |
Mapping
out a path to profits on Web
Wizeguides.com helps navigate areas around MBTA stops By Raphael
Lewis, Globe Staff, 6/16/2001
If just a fraction of the 13 million people who visit Boston each
year are like Patrick Ruiz, he'll be a millionaire in no time.
Ruiz, an Albuquerque native, arrived in 1994 for his first semester
of law school, knowing nothing beyond the Red Sox and the Tea Party.
Within minutes, the Byzantine streetscape and serpentine transit
system got the better of him - so much so that he pulled the emergency
brake to get off a crowded Green Line car.
''I panicked,'' Ruiz recalls. ''I had no idea where I was or how
to get where I was going. It was crazy.''
This month, Ruiz hopes to harness his experience for profit, with
the launching of Wizeguides.com. The Web site features three layers
of interactive, highly detailed, printable maps of the neighborhoods
surrounding all 132 stops on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority's subway system.
Ruiz, 46, is pinning his hopes for profit not on map sales but on
advertising: The maps are designed to show the precise locations
of eateries, museums, hotels, and shops, something dozens of local
institutions are paying handsomely to get in on.
Using company logos as icons that float on the maps, Wizeguides.com
also has published two map books small enough to fit in a back pocket,
one edition for tourists and another for students. The Web site
allows visitors to follow the icons to company profile pages, some
of which include real-time information, such as nightly dinner menus,
and links to the companies' sites.
''I was going into map stores and looking for a map that would show
me where I was once I got out of the subway, and what services are
there, but the people at the stores told me they get asked that
all the time but there wasn't one,'' Ruiz said.
The company, Wizeguides.com Inc., which registered in Delaware,
was launched this month, after two years of research and $100,000
worth of product development.
''It seemed like a natural idea to me, like, `Why didn't someone
do this before?''' said Carlos Hidalgo, co-owner of the chic South
End eatery Bomboa, which has bought logos for the Web site maps,
as well as full-page ads in the guidebooks.
Ruiz persuaded several academic institutions to take a chance, as
well. Boston University, Harvard Law School, the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, and New England School of Law, Ruiz's alma mater,
have all purchased hundreds of the $9.95 books for their students.
Such a product, needless to say, has thrilled the MBTA, which distributed
1,500 copies of the tourist edition of the guidebooks to visiting
transit officials at a national transportation conference held in
Boston last week.
''Anything that makes it easier for visitors to use public transportation
is to be applauded,'' said T spokesman Joe Pesaturo.
Pesaturo added that he hopes more businesses advertise on the maps
- not because he necessarily wants Wizeguides.com to succeed, but
because the current editions make it seem as though Boston is dominated
by Au Bon Pain franchises. The chain has bought map icons for each
of its 37 area locations.
Ruiz nurtured his vision for years, shopping the idea around to
various power brokers and venture-capital firms. The idea took off,
he said, only after the five-person company got a hand from attorneys
at Hill and Barlow, who donated substantial billable hours in exchange
for a cut of future profits. Also aiding Ruiz was Philip Puccia,
the former deputy manager of the MBTA and now director of Adelphi
Capital LLC, a Washington-based transportation consulting firm.
Ruiz is not the first to dream up such a project. For two years,
the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has partned with
Virginia-based StationMasters Online to provide neighborhood maps
and business information. Larry Bowring, who founded StationMasters
as a subsidiary of Bowring Cartographic, said the Web site sprang
from the map book he has sold in the Washington area for more than
14 years.
Bowring said Ruiz's product serves a viable, and lucrative, niche.
He's sold more than 30,000 copies of his book over the years, and
StationMasters.com averages 5,000 page views a day.
''I don't think there's many of these out there, if any,'' Bowring
said. ''The thing is, it's not for the faint of heart. It requires
so much field work to keep it up-to-date, with all the station information
and the points of interest.''
Ruiz, who's already sold or given out about 50,000 books, said his
site is even more labor-intensive than Bowring's because the maps
allow visitors to zoom in and out, to move in several directions,
and to highlight particular institutions.
So far, about 60 clients, many with multiple sites in metro Boston,
have purchased map icons, which cost $5 each on the Web site and
as much as $725 each in the guidebooks. Full-page ads in the books
can cost as much as $11,995.
Ruiz said he will soon expand to other cities, such as Chicago,
New York, and San Francisco.
''Our hope is for the Wizeguides name to become associated with
a portal for visitors to any major city, so that you arrive in town,
get online, and use Wizeguides to set your itinerary,'' he said.
This story ran on page F1 of the Boston Globe on 6/16/2001. © Copyright
2001 Globe Newspaper Company. |
Web
Site of the Day:
Wizeguides.com Most transit systems provide maps showing where stations
are. A smaller number provide information about the neighborhood
around the stations. This site not only provides the detailed maps,
but it allows you to select various sites and types of businesses
that may be located in the area. These include public buildings
such as hospitals and museums and businesses which pay to have their
information included. Not only are the businesses you select displayed
on the map, but you are also given a link to those businesses. Walking
directions are also included to the various sites. The service is
currently only available for the Boston area, but according to their
site they plan to expand to 200 cities around the world.
Thier site is: http://www.wizeguides.com/ |
Boston
First to Have Super Map
BOSTON, August 10, 2001 -- Boston was first in the US to have a
subway system, so it should only stand that Boston would have the
first map in cyberspace that also combines travel guide and subway
information. A product of WizeGuides.com Inc., http://www.wizeguides.com,
the recently launched interactive map has an animated owl that hosts
the map features. "We are thrilled to introduce an innovative mapping
system that doubles as a guide and trip planning service in Boston,
America's Walking City," said Patrick Ruiz, CEO. "Our maps take
the guesswork out of getting around Boston for visitors and residents
alike." The company is firmly entrenched in the usefulness of its
products. Ruiz stated, "Our map on-line conveys 'real time' information.
The website is an excellent travel planning tool, and a great example
of what the internet was designed to do. The bottom line is that
our maps do the work, not the people using them." The map's uniqueness
begins by showing Boston's entire subway system overlaid onto detailed
streets. There are also icons that pinpoint business locations on
the map. The icons lead to Profile Pages with "up-to-the-minute"
information on the respective business. Profile Pages are designed
to include website links, walking directions, restaurant menus,
business hours, information on promotions or discounts, slide shows,
video streaming, shopping carts, or even reservations, at the discretion
of each business. The array of business categories includes hotels,
attractions, theatres, dining, universities, hospitals, and more.
The map is helpful for people who may be unfamiliar with the area.
The compendium-type format allows users to see businesses as they
logistically relate to one another. For instance, the map shows
a hotel's location as the hotel relates to points of interest. The
format also allows the metro area to show off local hot spots and
treasures. With subway overlay information, the map is a premium
product for local residents. A product of Flash technology, the
map combines layers of information in a rich, animated scenario.
The graphics automatically stretch to proportionately encompass
any screen or window size. There are also features to assist people
who may need larger text, or who may have difficulties distinguishing
colors. The map pages may also be printed, or downloaded to hard
drive, for off-line reference. As if all this work isn't enough
for a start-up company, the icing on the cake is that WizeGuides
also publishes and distributes a pocketbook map that closely resembles
the on-line version! So whether you're venturing in Boston as Joe
Tourist, Jane Student, or as a local, you may be happy to know that
the first edition of WizeGuides' "Complete Boston Subway-User Guide"
will replace your bag full of restaurant guides, labyrinth-like
street maps, and subway manuals. It's small and convenient, measuring
4" x 8" and less than 1/4 inch thick, with a price tag of $9.95.
The pocket-sized booklet has been in print for about two months.
500,000 Tourist, 200,000 Student, and 25,000 retail booklets have
the beginnings of a wide distribution, and could prove to be a scarce
commodity. According to the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors
Bureau (GBCVB), there are 11.5 million tourists that visit Boston
annually, as well as 225,000 college and university students that
become residents for the academic year. As noted by the Massachusetts
Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), there is an average of 800,000
daily subway riders. Therefore, the 725,000 total distribution might
only be a "drop in the bucket." Distribution information for all
three versions is available at www.wizeguides.com. Also at the WizeGuides
helm are Nicola Valentino, VP & Creative Director, John W. Sumner,
VP & Director of Cartography, Mike Goldstein, Chief Technology Officer,
and Craig Runyan, Web Creative Director. So far, these WizeDudes
have two patents-pending on the website technology, over 60 clients,
book distribution at over 30 locations, and plan to expand to other
major US and foreign venues. NOTE: For more information or to request
a sample of the book, contact Patrick Ruiz. Compendium type maps,
on- and off-line, that contain detailed subway information, business
icons that pinpoint location and lead to information+, sites and
attractions, hospitals, universities, and more. The on-line product
delivers real time information, and has travel planning functions.
Patrick Ruiz moved to Boston from Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1994,
to study at the New England School of Law. He wanted to access Boston
neighborhoods by subway, but could not find a decent product, on-
or off-line, that overlaid the subway system onto detailed street
maps. The business seed was planted when map store clerks affirmed
that many customers requested a more inclusive Boston map. WizeGuides
was formally incorporated in 1998, and is a Delaware company.
CONTACT: Patrick Ruiz WizeGuides.com Inc. 617-524-3030
patrick@wizeguides.com WIZEGUIDES.COM
INTERACTIVE FLASH MAPS -- A 2001 MIMC AWARD WINNER New England's
Best in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality BOSTON, November 6, 2001 --
WizeGuides.com Inc. and its Interactive Flash Maps are winners of
the Travel, Tourism & Hospitality category for the 2001 MIMC Awards.
Held annually by the Massachusetts Interactive Media Council, the
MIMC Awards recognize excellence in the creation of interactive
media applications and products designed, produced or developed
in New England. The MIMC Awards has been cited as one of the most
prestigious awards competitions for New England's interactive industry,
and one of the largest technology awards showcases in the country.
"New England produces some of the most impressive interactive products
and applications in the industry today," said Leslie Cushing, executive
director of MIMC. "We are proud of all finalists for their excellent
work. They are examples of why New England is on the cutting edge
of the Internet industry." WizeGuides CEO, Patrick Ruiz, accepted
the award stating, "Travel and tourism is one of the success stories
of the internet, and Travel Industry Association of America (www.tia.org)
has continually ranked this industry as number one in terms of generating
on-line revenue. As of September 11, however, travel and tourism
has been the hardest hit industry. Our technology comes at a time
when Boston and the tourism industry need us most, and WizeGuides
is very proud to be here." WizeGuides.com accepted the award, competing
against four other finalists in the category of Travel, Tourism
& Hospitality, including the Massachusetts Office of Travel and
Tourism (www.massvacation.com), Grand Expectations (www.grandex.com),
Vacation Coach (www.vacationcoach.com), and the Fenway Cultural
District/Fenway Alliance (www.fenwayculture.org). The gala awards
ceremony held on October 15 was attended by approximately 1,200
of the interactive media industry's top professionals, at the Boston
Copley Place Marriott. About WizeGuides.com Inc. WizeGuides.com
Inc. creates and licenses maps, on- and off-line. The state-of-the-art
maps are simple to use, tailored to a licensee's specifications,
and contain vast amounts of information. The travel map application
has public transit information, business icons that pinpoint locations,
restaurants, sites and attractions, hospitals, universities, theatres,
museums, and more. The on-line product delivers real time information,
dynamic content, and facilitates travel planning. The technology
may be adapted to college campus maps, ski resort maps, shopping
malls, and many other business models. About MIMC MIMC is a non-profit
trade association created in 1996 to help support and build the
interactive media industry in New England. The MIMC community consists
of over 3,000 companies and individuals who provide, design, build
and deliver interactive technology products and services. MIMC holds
over 75 networking and educational events a year for professionals
from all sides of the industry, including one of the most prestigious
annual industry awards ceremonies in New England, the MIMC Awards.
For more information about MIMC visit www.mimc.org or contact the
MIMC office at 617-227-2822. # # #
At the 2001 MIMC Awards:
 |
|
