Microsoft Enhances MapPoint Web Service 3.5

MapPoint Web Service 3.5, which was formally unveiled on Tuesday, allows solution providers and systems integrators to integrate location-based data into corporate applications and present visualization-based data, such as sales forecasts to specific company offices. It supports XML and SOAP.

In addition to a service-level agreement that guarantees map response times of less than a minute, version 3.5 offers new support for maps that can be optimized for the smaller screens of Smartphones and Pocket PCs.

For developers, version 3.5 also allows customers to upload corporate data interactively or via a new programmatic interface and the ability to check the status of recent additions or changes made to their mapping data, view usage and tracking reports for their applications, Microsoft said.

The new version also offers mapping data for 24 countries, including 21 countries in Europe as well as the United States, Canada and Brazil.

While some analysts say that the deployment of the mapping service has been limited to date, the inclusion of new tools in version 3.5 for enabling easier management of corporate data, expanded global geographic coverage and new capabilities for developing applications for the mobile workforce will help spur adoption.

"It's more of a trickle right now, but as these systems get well-defined and people figure out what to do with MapPoint Web service and how to use it effectively, you'll see it grow in use," said Jack Gold, vice president of the Meta Group.

He agreed that solution providers and technology service providers are essential to getting XML Web services delivered to the marketplace but said they haven't stepped up the plate. "That's the mode. I think the channel has not done a very good job of it, but MapPoint has been very hard to use. Microsoft is making it easier to use and moving in the right direction by weaving it in with their .Net strategy so all of that will drive application development."

Another analyst said there are many location-based Web services in the marketplace doing well, but Microsoft has to drive more sales through its channel and placate customer concerns before it can reach mass-use levels.

"Microsoft has to promote it better," said Richard Doherty, an analyst at Engineering.Net. "There's good uptake, but there are some customer concerns of fees rising or changing services." Microsoft, which first launched the MapPoint Service in mid-2002, also sells a stand-alone MapPoint 2004 PC application and operates MapBlaster, a consumer mapping service similar to MapQuest that rides on the MSN site and was acquired as part of Microsoft's Vicinity deal. Solution providers can integrate the two services to provide full-fledged solutions to corporate customers and on consumer Web sites.

Microsoft pointed to Firestone/Bridgestone as one key customer using MapPoint Web service.

One solution provider that specializes in serving up MapPoint location-based data, SpatialPoint, serves a variety of customers including Quaker Oats, Zebra Technologies, AON Risk Consultants, U.S. Cellular, Amoco, Verizon Wireless, McDonald's, Chicago Tribune and Sprint PCS, according to the company Web site.

The service provider, which operates offices in Chicago and New York, performs a variety of services including developing packaged and customized location-enhanced business applications with MapPoint that use the .Net framework and integrate both the Microsoft MapPoint Web Service and MapPoint 2002 application.

SpatialPoint also extends current enterprise line-of-business applications to provide location-based services on the Microsoft MapPoint Web Service platform and hosts complementary location-based services with SpatialPoint Web services hosted either at customer sites or in SpatialPoint data centers.