Help Build MapPoint 2010

Microsoft is looking past MapPoint 2009 and is requiring users to contribute to the building of future versions of the product. In this context, the Redmond company has set up a survey designed to harvest information from end users. The promise from the software giant is that the data gathered via the MapPoint User Survey will be integrated into next-generation editions of MapPoint. But in addition to having the chance to influence the development of MapPoint, users will also be eligible for financial incentives, nothing spectacular mind you.

“The MapPoint Team is conducting a short survey to learn more about your organization’s use of Microsoft MapPoint to support your mapping, routing and data analysis needs. In exchange for your valuable time and feedback, we will include your name in a drawing for a chance to win one of 50 Amazon.com gift certificates valued at $25 each,” revealed Chris Pendleton, Virtual Earth Tech evangelist, Microsoft.

The survey debuts with general questions designed about current and past versions of MapPoint, but it rapidly gets to the juicy parts. Participants in the survey will have the chance to tell Microsoft whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied with the product and why, but also to criticize areas across MapPoint and indicate improving opportunities. The company also lets users in on some development directions.

“The MapPoint team is evaluating a variety of product improvements. [Including:] the ability to change a MapPoint map within PowerPoint; buy one integrated product with maps of US, Canada and Western Europe; import my route into my personal navigation device (Tom-Tom, Garmin, etc.); mapping integration with Excel pivot tables; optimize the routes and schedules of my fleet; track my fleet and view Virtual Earth maps (birds-eye and satellite views) inside MapPoint.”