MapPoint Web Service Offers More Coverage, Mobile Support

Microsoft has updated its MapPoint Web Service, which allows developers to “location-enable” Web applications—to generate maps and provide directions, for example—without having to purchase an expensive geographic information system (GIS) and maintain databases of cartographic and demographic data. Version 3.5 includes more data, provides greater geographic coverage, and supports mobile devices. However, it remains a service designed for corporate and commercial Web applications; its security, pricing, and licensing models remain unchanged, which effectively prevents its use by client applications, including Microsoft’s own MapPoint 2004 desktop product.

MapPoint Web Service Supports Web Applications

Unlike the MapPoint 2004 desktop application used by end users or called by other desktop applications, the MapPoint Web Service (MPWS) is designed to be used by private Web applications hosted by organizations or public Web sites. In exchange for per-user or per-transaction fees, MPWS lets developers quickly integrate location-based services into their applications and business processes without having to acquire and maintain GIS data. Microsoft keeps MPWS updated with cartographic data from Geographic Data Technology (GDT) and Navigation Technologies (NavTech), and MPWS exposes Web service APIs that can render maps, provide driving directions, and retrieve various points of interest (such as nearest airports) and geographic attributes (such as postal codes), given an address or location coordinates.