This may trigger a plethora of comments about how this is being done everywhere already (Hello, Musings!), but we were mildly impressed by an announcement today from Dolphin Dynamics to unveil a new Microsoft Virtual Earth mash-up with their reservation platform.
Anyway, here are some grabs of the mapping platform integrated within Dolphin's consumer booking engine.
Anyway, here are some grabs of the mapping platform integrated within Dolphin's consumer booking engine.
That looks like a nice implementation.
One of the problems of map mashups within res systems is the licensing.
Here is a quote from Google's T&Cs
"The API may be used only for services that are generally accessible to consumers without charge. Accordingly, You may not use the API for any service that requires a subscription or other restricted access, or for which a fee is charged."
And the cost: "Google Maps API Premier is extremely cost-effective, starting at just $10,000 per year"
For Microsoft it is the same - they require a commercial contract for the maps (not based on whether seen by consumers or not - but based on whether the purpose is commercial).
"Standard version license is $8000 for 1,000,000/year transactions = 8,000,000/year tile renders. Note: no routing in standard
Advanced version license is $15,000 for 1,500,000/year transactions = 12,000,000/year tiles. Includes routing capability""
Therefore if you are putting maps in the consumer facing booking engine - go for Google (as you can use that commercially, for free). If you are putting maps in booking process used by staff - go for either Microsoft or Google - depending who you can get the best commercial license from.
"Free maps" become expensive very quickly (especially if you are having to take a license out per travel company customer)
Alex (Musings)
Alex,
thanks for the positive comment.
You are correct, licensing is challenging (and expensive) when you are not using the data for a public web site, but we believe all our users will considerably benefit from having this extra functionality, which we are providing at no additional cost.
Roberto Da Re
Roberto: thanks for coming back to Alex on this.
Can I just say that at Amadeus we have implemented dynamic mapping with Microsoft Virtual Earth for quite some time with our new Front Office Hotel booking engine Hotels Plus. This allows travel agents to locate and book hotels for their customers depending of their geographic preferences. For certain cities, you can even view hotels in 3D by using the Bird Eye view capability. Let us know if you want to see some screen shots. What's more important is to ensure accuracy with geocoding data to place hotels in the right location of the map.
Guillaume
Amadeus UK
Interesting, I never knew that about the Google API Alex. Yikes hefty license prices too.
This looks nice and intuitive. I would definitely use it for booking a hotel. I usually spend all my time flicking between a map and the bookings system. Shame about the rather unattractive pin icon.
Just dreaming, but wouldn't it be great if someone could aggregate all the disparate travel content (both bookings and UGC) into a map browsing interface. Google?