Location Intelligence via Web-based Mapping Platforms

Location Intelligence combines Business Intelligence with spatial analysis and includes the visualisation of various data on a map. Location Intelligence is an important tool for optimising business processes, business structures and customer relationships. Although some initial investment is necessary with respect to licenses, data, training and integration efforts, various companies have already discovered the benefits and have been using a classic Geographic Information System (GIS) since the early 1990s. Now, with the release of web-based mapping platforms such as Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps or Nokia/Navteq Location Platform (to name but a few) and their professional developer interfaces (APIs), the chance has arisen to add a spatial dimension to business tasks without requiring substantial initial investment. This article explains the differences between web mapping platforms' APIs and the classic GIS solutions. It also focuses on some business examples and attempts to predict a number of market trends relating to the two basic architectures for commercial use.