The Microsoft Virtual Earth platform is an integrated set of services that provides quality geospatial data, rich imagery, cutting-edge technology, and dependable performance that helps organizations visualize data and provide immersive end-user experiences. The Virtual Earth platform, now supported by both the Virtual Earth Map Control and the new Virtual Earth Web Services, offers new map detail, feature enhancements, and robust platform capabilities. Learn more about Virtual Earth and its flexible foundation.

 

The Virtual Earth platform consists of three services:

 

Virtual Earth Map Control
The Virtual Earth Map Control includes immersive imagery and enables rich mapping and enterprise-class application development, with an intuitive JavaScript programming model.

 

Virtual Earth Web Services
Virtual Earth Web Services offers static map images, direct map tile access, one-box search functionality, geocoding, reverse geocoding, and routing.

 

MapPoint Web Service
The MapPoint Web Service is a programmable Web service hosted by Microsoft and used by enterprises and independent software developers to integrate location-based services into software applications and business processes.

 

Compare each service

 

Bring Location Information to Life

Virtual Earth empowers organizations like yours with a new way to see your world and achieve your goals.

 

Innovate Online with Maps
Create engaging applications for your customers and develop powerful ways to visualize business information by combining online maps with your integrated data.

 

Connect with Customers
Add to your growing customer base with services that can help you increase site traffic, build community, and strengthen customer relationships. Use Virtual Earth maps to display and share location-based information.

 

Visualize Your Business
Integrate data from nearly any source into Virtual Earth maps to gain deep visual insight into your business and build business solutions.

 

Virtual Earth Features and Functionality

Immersive Imagery
Virtual Earth is an industry leader in providing precise views of the world through bird's eye¹ view and panning, and photorealistic and geospecific 3D capability, among other features.

 

Location Functionality
Virtual Earth provides organizations with a host of features that deliver directions—in more languages—to get users where they're going faster. With enhanced tools that provide greater flexibility and control over the development of location solutions, organizations can update and enhance their online experience to help them remain competitive and provide satisfying end-user experiences.

 

Business-Ready Platform
Backed by a competitive service-level agreement (SLA), comprehensive support, and flexible licensing, businesses can be confident that Virtual Earth is professional and enterprise-ready, from features to support.

 

Mobile Support
Virtual Earth Web Services now supports mapping applications that have rich imagery optimized specifically for mobile devices.

 

Find Success Here

Virtual Earth offers innovative solutions within nearly every industry. Read more about how customers in industries including Real Estate, Retail, Public Sector, Hospitality and Travel, Oil and Gas, Media and Entertainment, Financial Services, Manufacturing, and Utilities. Explore a solution for your industry.

 

See how leading brands and organizations are using Virtual Earth to innovate, grow, connect with customers, and increase their business insight. Visit the Virtual Earth Gallery to see Virtual Earth solutions in action.

 

1 Available in many metropolitan areas. Not available for government customers.