MapInfo Corporation (Nasdaq:MAPS) today announced that the company is working with Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU) to develop and market comprehensive location-based applications for the mobile Internet market. Lucent's next-generation mobile networks coupled with MapInfo's industry-leading, location-based technology and extensive data will enable wireless carriers to efficiently deliver personalized mobile Internet services based on a customer's current or intended location.
MapInfo and Lucent plan to combine their experience and knowledge of mobile communications to offer operators around the globe complete technology solutions for personalized mobile Internet services based on a user's current or intended location - for example a city guide service. Currently these services are based on the cell and sector to locate the subscriber, or a location selected by the user such as a street name. The companies intend to further refine the applications with the advent of handset-based triangulation technology that automatically locates the user using wireless assisted GPS (global positioning system) technology.
"Location-based business intelligence solutions form one of the pillars of the mobile Internet because they enable standard Internet applications to be tailored to the customer's ever-changing needs and preferences while on the move," said Michael Sajor, director of mobile Internet regional markets at Lucent. "By combining MapInfo's experience and ability to provide location-based services with Lucent's proven leadership in mobile communications, we will ensure our programmable networks will support personalized applications that are ready for immediate launch and revenue generation for our operator customers."
For instance, such a service would enable users to find places of interest based on where they are, determine the distance to their destination and map the route. If the establishment is a retail store, information on price and product availability might be provided, or in the case of a restaurant, the customer might view the menu and make online reservations. Both companies see significant potential for wireless business-to-consumer and business-to-business applications of this nature where customer data can be mined for such dynamic, tailor-made m-commerce transactions.
"MapInfo's location-based technology is a natural fit for the wireless industry as we can provide a comprehensive platform for carriers to deliver dynamic, up-to-date content and services to their customers for people on the go. By co-operating with Lucent in the development and marketing of location-based applications for the mobile Internet market, we can provide wireless carriers with the ability to deliver a whole new range of services to their customers on the move," said Mark Cattini, president and COO of MapInfo.
Initially, MapInfo and Lucent intend to make these services available to the market using WAP (wireless application protocol) over Lucent's GSM (global standard for mobile communications) networks. Concurrently, they will develop next generation technologies including GPRS (general packet radio services), EDGE (enhanced data for GSM evolution) and UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications systems).
MapInfo has an unrivaled history of providing location-based business solutions that help organizations realize their customer relationship management (CRM) strategies. Recently, the company has announced solutions for using location to extend CRM applications and services to mobile WAP and PDA users. A number of wireless carriers, are already conducting trials using MapInfo's location-based platform. The MapInfo platform includes mapping and visualization, a complete cleaning and geocoding solution to pinpoint locations on a map, routing and driving directions and up-to-date data or content such as demographics and yellow pages.
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