Microsoft MapPoint

Microsoft MapPoint
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial release2000; 24 years ago (2000)
Final release
MapPoint 2013 / July 2012; 12 years ago (2012-07)
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
TypeGIS software
LicenseCommercial proprietary software
Websitewww.microsoft.com/mappoint

Microsoft MapPoint is a discontinued[1][2][3] software program and service 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 also used in Microsoft Streets and Trips (for North American home users), Microsoft AutoRoute (for Western European home and small business users), Encarta's atlas functionality, Bing Maps and Bing Maps Platform.[citation needed]

MapPoint, along with its companions Streets & Trips and Autoroute, was officially discontinued on December 31, 2014 and has no further product support.[4] Bing Maps, along with the Windows 10 app Windows Maps are being represented as the replacement/alternative to MapPoint.[5]

  1. ^ Lilly, Paul (15 July 2014). "Microsoft Decides To Discontinue MapPoint On December 31, 2014". HotHardware. Dave Altavilla.
  2. ^ Popa, Bogdan (7 July 2014). "Microsoft Kills Three More Software Products". Softpedia. SoftNews.
  3. ^ Thurrott, Paul (7 July 2014). "MapPoint and Streets & Trips Step Aside for Bing Maps". Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Penton Media. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Microsoft MapPoint History". Microsoft. 11 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Official Microsoft MapPoint Website". Microsoft. 11 July 2014.