From Paper Maps to Digital Solutions: How Spatial Data Works Today

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If you ask Estonians about Regio, many will first think of the Estonian road atlas kept in their car’s. For decades, we have helped people find their way from point A to point B. That is part of our story – and we are proud of it. Paper maps still exist, and even in today’s digital era they have a clear role – for getting an overview, planning, and as a backup for situations when technology fails.

Most of our day-to-day work today is related to digital data and technical solutions that help other systems operate more intelligently. A large part of our solutions now reaches clients through API integration, enabling applications to request and use accurate spatial data.

How does spatial data help systems operate smarter?

Everyday activities such as entering an address or finding a route actually rely on complex spatial data systems.

How does an e-commerce system know exactly where to send a courier when an address contains a small typo?
How do you plan a delivery route without unnecessary detours?

To solve situations like these, companies do not need to collect and manage map data themselves – they can use location data via an API (application programming interface). In simple terms, it allows systems to “talk to each other” and exchange accurate spatial information automatically.

Some examples where this is useful in everyday life

Address search

Address systems in the Baltic countries have quite a few peculiarities. In addition to Estonian rural addresses without street names, house numbers or apartment numbers, local and neighbouring countries’ addresses often hide surprisingly complex combinations.

On a daily basis, you have to deal with addresses such as:

• Double numbers and letters in building identifiers: for example 31/33-1 or 15a-M1.
• Complex building complexes and block systems in Latvia and Lithuania: for example k-1 or K18A (e.g. Vydūno g. 38A K18A-213A).
• Text-based apartment identifiers: instead of a standard number, databases may include entries such as apartment 28, new dwelling 3, unit no. 8, or even 2-person room 1.
• Plot names with kilometre markers: for example Dzīvojamās mājas 510,1. km-3.

When a customer enters their address with an error, skips a character or uses the wrong format, delivery can easily be delayed – or in the worst case, it may not arrive at all. The Regio API enables real-time address validation during input on a website or in an information system: it detects typos, understands even the most complex address structures, suggests the correct standardised format immediately, and finds the exact location on the map.

Route planning

Creating a route from one point to another is simple in itself. It becomes more complex when a courier has dozens or even hundreds of destinations per day. In such cases, basic navigation is not enough – a solution is needed that sequences stops in a logical and as efficient order as possible.

Our algorithm helps optimise the order of destinations, reducing both time and fuel consumption. It is based on a high-quality and continuously updated spatial database. Regio’s map data is detailed and constantly evolving, which makes it possible to calculate the best routes even for complex multi-stop journeys.

It is important to understand that map data is continuously changing: roads, traffic organisation, addresses and access conditions are updated all the time. Managing and updating these changes is a major task, but it is exactly what ensures that calculated routes are always based on the most up-to-date information available.

Base maps

Accurate and reliable map data (building footprints and built-up areas, road networks, land cover) forms the foundation of many digital solutions. It enables services, objects and locations to be displayed and supports location-based decision-making.

If the data is not accurate or up to date, errors propagate through the entire solution, affecting both user experience and operational processes. That is why it is essential that the information on the map reflects reality.

At Regio, we ensure that our map data remains up to date and reflects changes in a timely manner, so every solution can always rely on a trustworthy foundation.

Spatial data in layers

Modern mapping solutions can include different layers of information based on needs – from forests and road networks to building registry (EHR) data and cadastral parcels. By combining and overlaying these layers, a powerful tool for spatial analysis is created. This helps, for example, quickly identify an ideal location for a new business branch or assess the natural characteristics of a specific area.

Both traditional paper maps and smart digital solutions have their own clear place and value. Maps on paper maps as atlases, wall maps, tourism prochures are still essential. On the other hand, we help users navigate digital spatial data that goes far beyond a simple image on a screen, encompassing databases, system integrations, and API interfaces. With experience in both areas, we help apply spatial data exactly where and how it is needed.

Would you like to use accurate spatial data in your service or develop a location-based solution as well?

Get in touch with us at geospatial@regio.ee – together we will find a solution that fits your needs.