Sarah FalsonMicrosoft’s Virtual Earth has formed a partnership with MapData Sciences Pty Ltd, to provide customised mapping solutions and support to meet demand from small and large businesses in Australia and New Zealand.
Virtual Earth – on the Windows Live platform – offers an integrated set of services that combines aerial imagery with mapping, location and search functionality, while functioning as a foundation for businesses to develop applications which help to capture, connect, share and visualise information about their organisations based on global location information, according to Microsoft.
“In an ever-increasing online world, organisations are looking at virtual tools that will allow their customers to experience a richer sense of engagement through web-based technology,” said Microsoft online services and strategy lead, Harvey Sanchez.
“The core targets are businesses and developers; however, the potential uses for this technology are endless. Zoom in and see Australia’s beaches close up, or check out an aerial view of a property before you go to the inspection. By combining comprehensive support for customisation, richer features for end users, and new levels of control and flexibility in the platform, Virtual Earth allows businesses to create unique environments for connecting with their customers.”
Virtual Earth together with MapData are able to provide made to order services for any business, such as:
– Electronic Business Maps or “Find Us Here” for companies with one or two offices
– Online Store Locators or “Find My Nearest” for companies that have multiple stores
– Driving directions between one or more points (customer to store, town to town, colleague to office) including distance and toll calculators
– Geocoding or conversion of a street address into geographical coordinates that can then be mapped or entered into Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This service can also be used for address validation
– GPS Vehicle Tracking services to assist the transport and logistics industries manage driver fatigue
– Tactician Online for taking the guesswork out of territory management and site selection
– Maps to your mobile phone. Find your nearest desired location while out and about.
“MapData Sciences is a leading provider of Business Mapping Solutions for Australia and New Zealand,” said MapData Services managing director, Laurie Edwards.
“We provide customised, quality location-based solutions for businesses’ mapping needs, whether they are hosted online applications, digital mapping products, web services, or consulting services.
“As Microsoft’s reseller, MapData Sciences integrates Virtual Earth into the business IT environment using its MapPoint service. Our data products have evolved during our five-year partnership with Microsoft to meet the company’s rigorous standards, which is reflected in the quality of our client work,” he said.