MapInfo as an ESRI Business Partner?
Just something that I noticed at the ESRI Business Partner Conference. Group 1 is an ESRI Business Partner and a Gold Sponsor of the 2007 ESRI Business Partner Conference. Now that Group 1 will acquire MapInfo, will that make MapInfo an ESRI Business Patner?
Eh, I don’t really think thats correct. Pitney Bowes owns Group 1 and will own MapInfo….but Group 1 isn’t acquiring MapInfo, and nothing in the press releases state that MapInfo will be folded into Group 1.
Wallis is correct. MapInfo has been (or being) acquired by Pitney Bowes which also owns Group1. This is probaly the most unpredictable crappy deals in the recent past – sheesh I still can’t digest it. I wonder whats in store for MapInfo – will the Dodo finally get a makeover?! Lets see… and BTW did you all check the MapInfo blog? they really need some good PR work else they’re gonna poke in their own eye…
to further clarify (i think this is where the confusion comes from) PB said they would place MapInfo into their software segment of the company, but the “software segment” != Group 1 It just means MapInfo won’t be stuck with the postage meter people side of the house.
Mapinfo is still #2 over here in jolly old England – majority of the Government Agencies use it, which in turn means a lot of the consultancies have to use it.
When you compare the ESRI site, especially its support (active forums and virtual campus), Mapinfo needs a serious makeover. Mapbasic is limited and the best support I can find is the Mapinfo-L. However, I do like the software, especially when tied in with Vertical Mapper, and am hoping that the recent aquisition will lead to better things…
Well, since they are bragging about getting their software new working with Virtual Earth…in a lab….I think it is safe to say they are pretty far behind the curve since ESRI will have that out by the end of the year.