Microsoft MapPoint 2006

Business Mapping Software for the Microsoft Office System

Product Information

Microsoft MapPoint 2006 helps business users to visualize, analyze, and communicate data. MapPoint 2006 includes updated geographic and demographic data, plus new features including advanced GPS functionality, text and voice-prompted driving guidance for Windows XP users, Location Finder, and more.  Dramatically improve decision-making by bringing clarity to tabular data.  Seamlessly integrate location into the work you do in Microsoft Office programs, especially Outlook.  Optimize time away from the office.

Visualize your business in a whole new way.  Map your business data.  Create sales territories, analyze trends, and evaluate performance by geography.  Combine business data with demographics to target potential customers and identify new business opportunities.

Integrate with Microsoft Office programs.  Tell your story visually.  Insert maps into Microsoft Office documents. Create maps from the data stored in Microsoft Office programs and Microsoft SQL Server data sources.

Business trip planning made easy.  Get accurate, detailed driving directions.  Import contacts from Microsoft Office Outlook, determine the best route, and find nearby meeting locations.

MapPoint 2006 is a stand-alone application in Office XP. However, it does enable users to seamlessly import data from Office XP applications such as Access, Excel or the Outlook messaging and collaboration client, and easily copy, paste and embed maps into work they are doing in the PowerPoint presentation graphics, Word or Publisher applications.

MapPoint also enables users to geographically select information from maps that can be exported to Excel spreadsheets for further analysis or use. MapPoint smart tags recognize geographic information in the user’s office document, and a MapPoint button is added to the toolbar in the Office applications. These tools allow users to insert a map and driving directions easily, and create maps from their data without leaving the Office application.

New Features

• Completely Refreshed Data:  Use updated geographic and demographic data sets in MapPoint to display trends and illustrate key points on maps.
  
• New Advanced GPS Features:  The new GPS task pane uses information from your connected, compatible GPS device to display your current location, speed and traveling direction.
  
• Voice and Text Directions for Windows XP Users:  New Driving Guidance finds your location from a connected GPS device and combines it with a route you have created to give you voice-prompted driving directions.
  
• Microsoft Location Finder (North America Only):  New Location Finder uses your computer’s wireless network capability and a database of known Wi-Fi access points to display your location on maps, even if you do not have a GPS device.
  
• New Map Style for Low-light Conditions:  New Map style for low-light conditions makes it easier to view maps on your laptop computer.
  
• Pocket Streets:  Microsoft Pocket Streets makes it easy for you to create custom maps in MapPoint and then export them for use on your Microsoft Windows Mobile–based Smartphone or Pocket PC.

Product Features

The core features make MapPoint 2006 a favorite for visualizing business data, using maps with Microsoft Office programs, and planning trips.

• Data Mapping Wizard:  Create maps with your own data. Step-by-step instructions guide you through applying your sales information and demographic variables to custom map types.
  
• Territories Wizard:  Group common areas and overlay key information to create customized maps of any region.
  
• Drive-time Zones:  Turn simple routes into an analysis tool by generating drive-time zones to and from destinations.
  
• Import/Link Data Wizard:  Step-by-step instructions help you import or link information from Excel, Access, and Outlook to a MapPoint-based map.
  
• Custom & Multi-symbol Pushpins:  Create your own pushpin icons and use them on your data maps. Or, choose multiple symbols that best represent a series of data.
  
• Customized Output:  Choose from five different map styles for printouts, including strip maps and turn-by-turn directions.
  
• Map Annotations:  Add custom directions or highlight important areas on your maps by using the familiar tools on the drawing toolbar.
  
• Drawing Tools:  Create maps that fit your needs. Personalize your map with radius circles, ovals, scribbles, and freeform shapes.
  
• Save as Web Page:  Make your maps more accessible to co-workers without MapPoint.
  
• Output to Word and PowerPoint:  Easily copy and paste your maps into presentations and proposals.

System Requirements

• PC with Pentium II or higher processor; Pentium III recommended
• Microsoft Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Professional or later operating system required
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 browser software or later, Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 included (will not displace your primary browser)
• For Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional: 64 MB of RAM (128 MB recommended)
• For Windows Server 2003: 256 MB of RAM
• For Windows 2000 Professional: 64 MB of RAM (128 MB recommended)
• Running additional applications simultaneously may require additional memory
• Available hard-disk space: 1.1 GB for full installation or 500 MB for minimum installation. Some users may require up to an extra 100MB for System Files Update (hard disk usage will vary depending on configuration).
• 4x speed or faster CD-ROM drive
• Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution monitor with 256 colors; a monitor with higher resolution and more colors recommended and required for Driving Guidance feature
• Microsoft Mouse, Microsoft IntelliMouse, or compatible pointing device

Additional items or services required to use certain features:

• For Voice Output: Windows XP or higher and compatible soundcard
• Microsoft Exchange, Internet SMTP/POP3, IMAP4, or MAPI-compliant messaging software required to use Send To as attachment; Microsoft Outlook 2000 or later required to use Send To as picture
• 14,400-baud or higher recommended
• Some Internet functionality may require Internet access and payment of a separate fee to an Internet service provider and local charges may apply
• GPS functionality requires a GPS device that supports NMEA 2.0 or later
• A free COM port below 20 required for GPS

Pocket Streets:

• A Pocket PC running Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 or later with ActiveSync 3.7 API and 500KB available program memory required for installation of Pocket Streets. Installing map files requires additional memory, approximately 1MB per city map
• A Microsoft Windows powered Smartphone 2002 or Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Smartphone or later with ActiveSync 3.7 API and 350KB available program memory required for installation of Pocket Streets for Smartphone. Installing map files requires additional memory, approximately 1MB per city map.