MapForums

Hello
I am trying to decide on a web mapping solution for my web sites and web applications. After days of reading google results I am more confused now than when I started. My choice basically comes down to MapPoint or ESRI for a solution I don't have to host myself. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

It really depends on two major things; do you want to display your own map data, and do you want to be able to decide how to display the data?

If any answer is yes, then MapPoint may not be the best choice. It is excellent for background data though, if you only need to show business info on top of "standard looking" data.

To be able to help you out more, I would need more info on what you are up to.

- Niklas

I have the same question and am also considering OpenGIS all in a Client environment. My application will include a base map dataset, several internal datasets, need GPS integration, preferably support turn by turn directions, etc. My initial thought was an ESRI based client solution but someone suggested looking at MapPoint Client since it has a great API and comes with a good basemap dataset. Thoughts anyone?

I am a GIS Developer, I use ESRI products for creating maps for asp pages, mobile devices and data creation. I am also a business partner with ESRI, I can tell you that it is very pricey to use their platform. Along with my ESRI EDN I have a Microsoft MSDN subscription so I get to fool around with all of their products. Map Point is very simple and easy to use, plus you can download the express version of Visual studio and do your own development. I don't know all of the limitation for Visual Studio Express, but a Visual studio Professional License with Subscription is only around 2000.00 compared with 12,000 for ArcGIS Server which is one of the platforms you can make maps with.

Ray

MapPoint is not really comparable for web or mobile stuff.. it's a desktop product. Virtual Earth though it getting more powerful, you can do lots of GIS-y stuff now on the web only using Virtual Earth & SQL Server Spatial.
Eric

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