Microsoft Buys Multimap

Microsoft has continued its high-profile acquisition spree, snapping up UK online mapping company Multimap.

The US software giant aims to marry the 12-year-old, UK owned until now, company’s location and mapping technology with its wide range of digital products and services.

Microsoft said that Multimap will complement offerings such as Virtual Earth, Live Search, Windows Live services, MSN and its new $6.5bn (£3.2bn) acquisition aQuantive.

The acquisition of Multimap is an attempt by Microsoft to compete with Google, whose Google Maps and Earth tools dominate the global online mapping and location market.

Microsoft has reportedly spent $50 Million dollars on this strategic purchase.

Sharon Baylay, general manager of the Online Services Group at Microsoft, said: “This acquisition will play a significant role in the future growth of our search business”.

Jeff Kelisky, the Multimap chief executive, said: “Partnering with Microsoft gives us a world of new opportunities to build our mapping services into new technologies and applications.”

…and so Microsoft and Google continue to purchase smaller companies for their continued growth!

Marc Liron
Microsoft MVP
www.instantvista.com

Note: This blog entry was originally posted on www.marclironblog.com. View original post