Billing it as "... its first commercially available SOAP/XML Web service," Microsoft offers MapPoint .NET as a hosted service that provides location based geographical data (addresses, maps, routing info, etc.) for use in Web or other applications created by independent developers. Functions of the service are requested and responses received utilizing the XML-based SOAP language; meaning that the developer can write their application and make use of the services over any Internet connection and language that can send and receive HTTP1.1/SOAP 1.1 compliant messages.

Available tools included in the MapPoint .NET Basic services include Find services, allowing for the location of individual entities or addresses based on provided search criteria (as well as the ability to find "nearby" entities); Render services, allowing for the creation of maps and the ability to manipulate them via placement of pushpin icons, pan, zoom, etc.; and the Route service for the calculation and display of routes or driving directions based on specified locations or waypoints.

Developers link into the MapPoint .NET services by creating compliant SOAP message requests and interpreting SOAP based results that are sent in return. The MapPoint .NET Basic Services SDK provides the necessary SOAP/WSDL specifications as well as sample code for accessing the services. (The MapPoint .NET Basic Services SDK requires either Visual Studio .NET or the .NET Framework SDK for viewing.)

The MapPoint .NET data provides location information for the US, Canada, and 11 Western European countries in 9 different languages, and customers are allowed to upload and update their own geocoded data and graphics on a limited basis. Extended service options beyond those provided in the basic subscription package are also available, allowing for the extension of data storage, additional geocoding services, and support for additional search criteria options.

While the MapPoint .NET Basic Services SDK is a free download, organizations purchase the actual access to the MapPoint Web services on a subscription or transaction basis. An initial access fee of $15,000 is required; followed by a per user access fee of $299 or an individual transaction fee of $.01/transaction.

Visit the Microsoft MapPoint informational pages for further information.

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