Companies look for more sophisticated mapping solutions in Asia Pacific region

Travel Distribution Asia Special: By EFT Correspondent
   
Multimap, a provider of online mapping and location-based services, recently
showcased the latest version of its leading-edge API service (version 1.2) at
the Travel Distribution Summit Asia in Singapore.

The Multimap API v. 1.2 brings together searching, routing, mapping,
geocoding, and POI data and imagery, into a single one-stop service, for the
first time.
   
Commenting on new trends in this region, Chris Warrick, managing director -
Multimap Australasia told EyeforTravel.com's Ritesh Gupta, "As one of the
world's leading online mapping and location-based services providers, with in
excess of 10 years' experience in the field, and over 1,200 business clients
globally, we are in a strong position to spot emerging trends earlier than many
other players in this arena. One of the key things that we're seeing is a
movement from mapping and location-related information moving from a
nice-to-have feature, to an essential part of any quality website."
   
"We're also seeing increasing requirements for more sophisticated mapping
solutions. A single static map will no longer do: our customers require much
more interactive solutions, and much tighter integration with their own
internal system," he said. "In keeping with both of these trends, we are seeing
an increased interest in extending our web-based mapping solutions to mobile
devices. By keeping close to our customers and lending a very attentive ear to
the market, we were in a position to predict this trend long ago, and have
recently launched two new services that address precisely the needs that many
businesses are only now beginning to verbalise."

In response to this emerging interest, Multimap recently launched the
Multimap2Mobile and Storefinder4Mobile services, both of which are designed to
improve the way that consumers interact with our customers' businesses. These
services can help to drive consumers to business locations, extend the reach of
marketing campaigns, and perhaps even generate revenue.
   
The Storefinder4Mobile enables customers to find out where businesses' outlets
or other physical properties are, while they are out and about. They can search
for the nearest location using a postal or ZIP code, or be automatically
'found' by LBS. Multimap then sends a map showing the location(s) plus location
details to the customer's mobile device. The Multimap2Mobile application allows
consumers to send a full-color, interactive map from websites to their mobile
devices, enabling them to take businesses' location information 'on the road'
with them.
 
"Equally importantly, mapping and location-based services are playing an
increasingly important role in the local search process, with a growing number
of sites bringing the mapping experience front and center as the start point
for fast and simple searching. User experiences are becoming increasingly rich,
in terms of both functionality and relevant contextual information, such as
nearby transport links, gas stations, Wi-Fi hotspots, car parks and ATMs. This
represents a huge opportunity for mapping providers like Multimap, which is in
the enviable position of being able to offer content-rich data, with a high
level of local information and customisation, and a robust infrastructure built
to support businesses worldwide, no matter where they're based or what volumes
of traffic they attract," he said.
   
(Full version of interview with Chris Warrick to be posted soon).