Multimap plots a route with Microsoft

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 13 December 2007 00:58

IT Industry - Listed Tech

Microsoft has acquired Multimap, a UK-based mapping and location-based services provider.

Multimap is Europe's leading supplier of online maps, directions and "where's my nearest...?" searches. It also serves other regions, including North America and Australasia.

As usual, both sides are talking up the deal.

"The addition of Multimap enhances Microsoft's position as a leading provider of mapping and location platform services," said Sharon Baylay, general manager of the Online Services Group at Microsoft.

"This acquisition will play a significant role in the future growth of our search business and presents a huge opportunity to expand our platform business beyond the U.K. and globally."

Multimap CEO Jeff Kelisky was also enthusiastic. "Partnering with Microsoft gives us a world of new opportunities to build our mapping services into new technologies and applications."

"As one of the world's foremost technology brands, Microsoft is in a position to bring even more value to the Multimap service and give people everywhere new, exciting and fun ways to get from point A to point B."

Multimap will operate as a Microsoft subsidiary within the online services group. According to Kelisky, Microsoft plans to "bring together the technology capabilities of Multimap and Virtual Earth into a more powerful package for customers and application developers" and that the acquisition will accelerate the development of next-generation platforms and services for location-enabling applications.

Although the terms of the deal have not been officially disclosed, Times Online reports the price was in the region of £25 million.