Pitney Bowes Business Insight World Charity Drive

21 April 2009, 6:37pm

Windsor, UK - April 21, 2009 - Pitney Bowes Business Insight (NYSE:PBI), global providers of location and communication intelligence software, data and services, is to be the lead sponsor for a charity drive around the world that aims to raise money for Cancer Research UK, Help for Heroes and Great Ormond Street. Pitney Bowes Business Insight is donating $10,000 towards the project costs and has kitted out the 31 year-old car with MapInfo Professional, an integral component of the car's state-of-the-art Geographical Information System (GIS) which will assist driver Duncan Mortimer in navigating the globe.

"Last time I drove around the world I had huge problems with maps," comments Duncan Mortimer. "In an average car, folded sheet maps are awkward enough, but they are an absolute nightmare in a Mini jammed with everything that myself and my co-driver need. This time, we're being location intelligent; by using MapInfo Professional® linked to a GPS system, we'll know where we are at all times and we may even have enough space to breathe!"

While the car may be mini-sized, the interior is big on technology. The 1275cc vehicle would impress even James Bond's 'Q' with its bank of onboard computers, satellite phone, video-conferencing and global satellite navigation. In fact, the intrepid adventurer will not be taking any maps with him at all - all of the world's roads are contained on his navigation software and he can pinpoint his location on the onboard computers at any time.

"We're delighted to be able to help Duncan in his historic quest to raise money and awareness for three extremely deserving charities," comments Tom Probert, Desktop Product Manager at Pitney Bowes Business Insight, for the EMEA region.

"As world leaders in location and communication intelligence, we're well placed to support this commendable adventure. MapInfo Professional® helps over half a million users in both public and private sector organisations to visualise data on maps, perform geographic analysis and reports and create base maps for location intelligence systems for organisations all over the world, so Duncan will be well equipped to navigate his route with confidence."

This will be the third time that Duncan and his pint-sized car have made this historic trip, having previously done so in 1996 and 1999, raising thousands of pounds for cancer charities along the way. The ten-month journey will take him through the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Russia, Poland and then back to the UK through Europe.

Altogether, he will cover around 36,000 miles - 11,000 circumnavigating Australia alone.

Geo: International