New Map Tech Reduces costs
Google Maps was the first mapping service to provide the ‘new generation’ of AJAX based draggable maps. For many uses, the service is free, even for corporations. This can provide a substantial savings in subscription costs for locating services. As long as your maps are freely available to the public and you don’t charge for the service, google maps are free. Worried about future advertising? Google also has enterprise subscriptions if you find you need them later. This is really a win-win solution.
Microsoft mappoint was in place before Google Maps, but was blown out of the water by Google’s superior product. Now they are scrambling to catch up and they have for the most part. The new Maps.Live service works a lot like google maps and has some new features like 3-d mapping that Google does not.
A prior employer I worked at paid $30,000 - $40,000 a year for Microsofts Mappoint service. But this has all changed recently. Both Microsoft abd Google have free licensing even for commercial users. There are limits to the amount of traffic and the possibility of advertising exists, but the free terms will suit many commercial purposes right now. You can thank Google for Microsoft giving away the service they used to charge an arm and a leg for. Is your company paying an arm and a leg for old style mapping? Why?