What are the business opportunities of the Network Map Service?

In the past few weeks, Google And Yahoo All released Map API Documentation allows programmers to easily integrate any type of Internet data Web Microsoft also plans to launch the project named "Virtual Earth" Customers can also use this service to develop their own applications. At the same time Web Map manufacturers are also unwilling to be lonely, and they have emerged one after another, MapbarBlog map launched , Go2mapThe map interface is also available. , Sina Testing is underway Love question(Iask) Map service engine , At one time, the Network Map Service suddenly became a popular topic. The realization of the virtual world on the Internet also seems to be quite different.
However, almost all Web Map All applications are non-commercial. Vendors spend a lot of money to occupy the Network Map market, but all services are free. What is the intention? Although everyone has not disclosed how to use this kind of service to make a profit, the infinite business opportunities contained in this kind of service will gradually fade away. It is true that everyone will be coveted.
Yahoo, Google Microsoft's goal is to expect them to become the focus of the next growth field of Internet advertising: contextual advertising related to specific locations. Such advertisements can be embedded in maps generated by search. Search advertisement vendor Fathom Online CEO Chris said the market will reach billions of dollars in the future, which will be completely a model of advertising support. More broadly, such new services represent "Web 2.0" .
Although everyone agrees that the new map service can bring location-based ad sales revenue, it is clear that Google Yahoo! and Microsoft have different understandings and Strategies in map service. For example, Google Encourage amateur software developers to use their services, but Microsoft is more concerned with meeting the needs of professional software developers. Yahoo says they are skeptical about the value of satellite images, it focuses on digital maps and hopes Web Users can mark restaurant comments and other materials on maps.
Web Map Another significant business opportunity is accompanied by the current boom Lbs Application. 3G As the tide approaches Lbs (Location-based service) has become a new highlight of mobile value-added services. Lbs It has opened up a new window for the city's tourism, real estate, leisure and entertainment, Department Store retail, e-commerce and many other business fields. It also serves as a comprehensive platform. , Portal websites, classified information, leisure and entertainment, dating, shopping,CommunityAnd other information functions. Relying on this service, we can quickly obtain information about hotels, malls, telephone numbers, addresses, profiles, and other materials, and even instant information about promotions such as irregular discounts and new products. Relying on this service, travel Service Providers can analyze and develop the optimal travel routes. Relying on this service, railway and civil aviation can provide travel consulting services. Relying on this service, we can always know where the services are.
Although the map-based Web Service is still in its infancy, its related applications have already appeared in the market. This spring, a Silicon ValleyProgramClerk Paul rymacht wrote a map software that can be used in Google The location and list of real estate are marked in the map service, which is even ahead of the map owner. Google Itself. With the launch of development tools by major manufacturers, more and more programmers and companies have joined the map search tide. Although most of the experimental applications are mostly amateur, the new consumer-oriented map service is shaking the Geographic Information System ( GIS ).
Prediction 2005 Global Lbs Market scale will reach 20 Billion US dollars, relatively 2004 Annual Growth 100 %, Will show average in the next few years 80 % The rapid growth of growth rate 2009 Year approaching 210 USD million.
Lavin, general manager of Yahoo local service department, said: " Instead of creating a virtual world, we use the real world to help people. " . The local search service is obviously an attractive cake, Google , Yahoo Or MS If you want to provide a complete local electronic map service, it's not a matter of time. Therefore, except for a few Web Map A large number of platforms Lbs The service Chamber follows up and Map It is a convenient service for basic development.

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