[tdc_zone type=”tdc_content”][vc_row tdc_css=”eyJhbGwiOnsibWFyZ2luLXRvcCI6IjMwIiwiZGlzcGxheSI6IiJ9fQ==”][vc_column][tdb_title f_title_font_size=”33″ f_title_font_line_height=”1.2″ f_title_font_weight=”700″ f_title_font_family=”653″ add_text_pos=”after” add_text=”to Boost E-Commerce Efficiency”][vc_row_inner tdc_css=”eyJhbGwiOnsibWFyZ2luLWJvdHRvbSI6IjEwIiwiZGlzcGxheSI6IiJ9fQ==”][vc_column_inner tdc_css=”eyJwaG9uZSI6eyJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sInBob25lX21heF93aWR0aCI6NzY3fQ==” width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ tdc_css=”eyJwaG9uZSI6eyJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sInBob25lX21heF93aWR0aCI6NzY3fQ==”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
Hotels.ng has released a fully universal locations API remote software development internship: a Universal Locations API, which aims to transform addressing and logistics for e-commerce companies.
The Addressing Problem
Late and missed deliveries remain an ongoing issue in Nigerian e-commerce. Despite having addresses, deliverers are unable to locate physical locations, resulting in the ever-frustrating “Where you dey?” moments and logistical issues.
A Different Addressing System
The interns, with the assistance of veteran developer Olayinka Success, devised an entirely new referencing system that would use uniquely identifiable locations and only alphanumeric codes. Here are a few examples to put things in perspective:
NG-LA1600-OD-01 — is targeting a specific building in Lagos
NG-AK31UY — could mean broadly Nigeria > Akwa Ibom State > Uyo > Uyo Urban
By uniquely identifying with tags on locations like these, it is possible to do the following:
Be accuracy mapped using latitude and longitude, with driving directions.
Utilize global address auto-complete capabilities, which improves user experiences, accuracy, etc.
Easily identify where was without postal codes.
Link physical addresses together for route planning between locations.
Transitioning from internship to matchmaking
The interns have done an exceptional job bringing this vision into reality. The concept arose from trusting interns seeking structure. Hotels.ng’s remote internship began with the eager participation of 170 interns, as well as intensive theoretical and practical training.
The program completely caught the interns off guard halfway through, and they were able to discover their passion for focusing on discovering the most enjoyment with the group, which had a significant impact on the post-internship program, which ended with a very inspired, passionate set of problem solvers.
According to Mark Essien, co-founder of Hotels.ng, the internship program ultimately resulted in four products:
spots.ng — being a dynamic listing of places in Nigeria.
Raven — an internal tool we used to send emails.
Locations api.
Future Hotels.ng for Businesses
At the end of their internships, exceptional interns such as Stephen Afam-Osmene, Gideon Onwuka, and Fisayo Afoloyan were offered permanent positions. Others, such as Vanessa Ekwegh, who had no prior coding experience, stood out as exceptional talents.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem
This offering goes beyond a technical offering – it is evidence of how a well-organized internship can unearth fresh and real-world talent. The interns transformed from novices, to being contributors of tangible and impactful tools. Their talented progressed with the Locations API is serving to address possibly one of Nigeria’s major logistical challenges in e-commerce.
The Future
The Locations API ensures accountability in model and learning measurement, and it has been made public for participation, modification, and improvement. The aim is to lift the Locations API to a position where it becomes a globally adopted and easy-to-use solution to physically identifying locations with accuracy.
Hotels.ng has taken a leap into a space that is more than just hotel bookings. Since Mark Essien founded Hotels.ng in 2013, it has grown into a major tech player in Nigeria where Hotels.ng has listed over 7,000 hotels in over 300 cities.
Read more technology related Nigerian news from the home page.
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