Microsoft MapPoint is both a technology ("MapPoint Web Service," previously known as MapPoint .NET) and a specific software program created by Microsoft that allows users to view, edit and integrate maps. The software and technology are designed to facilitate the geographical visualization and analysis of either included data or custom data. Numerous acquisitions (Vexcel, Vicinity Corporation, GeoTango, etc.) have supplemented both data and feature integration.
MapPoint is intended for business users but competes in the low-end geographic information system ("GIS") market. It includes all of the functionality of the most recent version of Streets and Trips, the consumer mapping software, at the time of development, as well as integration with Microsoft Office, data mapping from various sources including Microsoft Excel, and a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) interface allowing automation of the MapPoint environment.
The MapPoint technology is used in
- End-user desktop software:
- MapPoint (for North American and Western European business users)
- Microsoft Streets and Trips (for North American home users)
- Microsoft AutoRoute (for Western European home and small business users)
- Encarta encyclopedia (Atlas functionality)
- Web-based services:
Versions
Microsoft MapPoint as the software is typically updated every two years and available in both upgrade and full packaged product form; the current version is 2013. Previous versions were released starting with 2000 (developing from Expedia Streets and Trips Planner 98, a consumer mapping application included with Office 97 Small Business Edition), which was slated to be included in the Office 2000 Premium Edition suite, but never was.[1][2]
- MapPoint 2000, initial release
- MapPoint 2001, very similar to 2000; more of a data update
- MapPoint 2002, updated interface to Office XP style
- MapPoint 2004, last version to run on Windows 9x
- MapPoint 2006, significantly updated GPS integration and features, last version supported on Windows 2000
- MapPoint 2009, updated interface with bigger icons, core engine remains the same
- MapPoint 2010, many user and API enhancements, including the ability to show/hide map symbols and labels by type[3]
- MapPoint 2011, significantly updated map data and points of interest
- MapPoint 2013, updated interface with Metro-style icons, updated map data and points of interest, added support for reviews and ratings[4]
New versions have not always been at the same time as the equivalent Office releases despite being numbered similarly; notably the 2002 release was excluded from the Office XP suites due to a lack of equivalent programmability, and 2006 was released well before Office 2007. The program's icon and toolbars were not updated until the 2009 release to stay consistent with modern software applications.
Version 2009[5] sporting an overhauled interface and claimed better Office integration was released in late 2008.[6] The core map rendering engine remained the same and the GIS data was not updated as recently as one might expect of a product released in 2008, leaving out subdivisions, roads and other features that were completed in 2007 and which are shown on online mapping systems.[7] Further, the 2009 version replaced all built-in icons with icons that were mostly brown or darker colors. This made them difficult to see on the map and resulted in users trying to restore the icon sets from version 2006.[8]
Old versions 2004 and 2006 both included 336 pushpin symbols. The 2009 version replaced these symbols with a new set of 46 pushpins. A new template[9] can be used to add missing pushpin images to the program. The full range of pushpins were reintroduced in MapPoint 2010.
The software is available for Microsoft Windows, and includes a less-featured edition entitled Pocket Streets for the Windows CE family of products, such as Pocket PC, and Windows Mobile for Smartphone and Automotive.
Online
In 2002, Microsoft launched a free online MapPoint service.[10][11] This was superseded by MSN maps, Live search maps, and Bing Maps.
See also
References
External links
