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MapPoint Location Server FAQThis document aims to answer frequently asked questions regarding the MapPoint Location Server such as system requirements, privacy issues, and the licensing model
What is MapPoint Location Server? Microsoft® MapPoint® Location Server (MLS) is a component of MapPoint Web Service (MWS) that allows the integration of real-time location into business and consumer applications. It supports access to real-time location from multiple sources, such as mobile network operators, and acts as a proxy between applications and services and MapPoint Web Service. What kind of applications can benefit from MLS? There are multiple types of applications that benefit from the integration of real-time location information such as asset tracking, sales-force automation or mobile location-based services. MLS is based on SOAP and XML Web services standards and can be easily integrated into business applications.  Why should I use MapPoint Location Server?
What if I need a specific application? Where can I find a solution/application partner for MLS? MapPoint provides you with a list of MapPoint solution partners, which can be found on the MapPoint Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint/partners/find.aspx, for MLS. What are the system requirements for MLS?
What about privacy in MLS? Enforcement of user privacy preferences takes place within the enterprise’s networks, and the enterprise has control of default privacy settings. With the Mobile Locator application running on a computer or Pocket PC Phone Edition, users control their privacy preferences and can choose to be informed when they are being located. Privacy preferences include, for example, the ability to appear offline (by turning visibility off) and block individual users or all users from obtaining location. All location information or personal information (such as a mobile phone number) is encrypted when passed from MLS to MapPoint Web Service or to the mobile operator. Only information needed to perform the service requested by a user is exchanged between the enterprise and MapPoint Web Service (e.g., latitude/longitude) or mobile operator (e.g., mobile phone number). With which mobile operator do you currently work? Microsoft has launched MLS with Bell Canada as the first operator to provide location data. More information on Bell Canada is available at its Web site, http://www.bell.ca/. Which other mobile operators will you be working with? Microsoft has already announced a business relationship with Sprint, and has several operators that are currently trialing MLS. Microsoft plans to announce them after trials are completed. What is the licensing model for MLS? MapPoint Location Server requires two different agreements: one agreement with Microsoft for MapPoint Web Service and one agreement with Bell Mobility for the location information. Agreement for MapPoint Web Service. MapPoint Location Server is a component of MapPoint Web Service. In order for a company to use MLS, it must have an MWS agreement with Microsoft MapPoint that includes the license for MLS. In combination with MapPoint Location Server, MWS is licensed on an annual subscription basis:
Agreement with Mobile Operator. In order to access the real-time location information provided by Bell Mobility, an agreement for a location information data plan with Bell Mobility is required. Can I use MapPoint Location Server without MapPoint Web Service? MLS can only be used with a valid agreement for MWS. An evaluation account for MWS is needed for evaluating MLS and can be requested from http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint/enterprise/webservice/eval.aspx. Do MLS customers need a separate contract with the network service providers that provide the location information? Yes. Customers will need an additional contract with their mobile network operator. More information is available from the mobile operator’s Web site. What prices are charged by the mobile network operators? Please contact your mobile network operator for information about pricing. Do I need a global positioning system device for MLS? No. Enterprises can leverage their existing investments in mobile phones or upgrade to mobile phones that support their mobile operator’s location-based services platform. How can I order MLS? Where can I buy it? MLS, the portion not containing the mobile operator location provider, will be provided at launch for download on the Microsoft MapPoint Web site. The download will be available to everyone and can be used upon signing the accompanying End User License Agreement. In addition, Microsoft will provide upon request the MLS software on a CD for which reasonable handling fees will be charged. Where can I download the mobile operator location provider? If you want to deploy MLS and request your mobile operator-specific location provider, you can download the Location Provider via the MapPoint Customer Services Site (CSS). In order to access CSS, you must either have a MWS agreement or a 45-Day MWS Evaluation Agreement at http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint/enterprise/webservice/eval.aspx for MapPoint Web Service. Will you provide an SDK for MLS? MLS will include an SDK that can also be downloaded from the MSDN® developer program at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=25132.
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What’s the difference between MLS and MWS? MapPoint Location Server is a component of MapPoint Web Service that allows the integration of real-time location into business applications. It supports access to real-time location from multiple sources, such as mobile network operators, and acts as a proxy between applications and the MapPoint Web Service. MapPoint Location Server can only be used with a valid agreement for MapPoint Web Service. MapPoint Web Service is a programmable XML Web service that integrates mapping capabilities into business or consumer applications. MapPoint Web Service is a location and mapping platform that allows developers to easily build location-based services into their applications. MapPoint Web Service supports industry-standard SOAP and XML interfaces, allowing developers to easily build location-based services into their applications. Solutions that integrate the MapPoint Web Service can be developed with Microsoft Visual Studio® .NET, which provides a powerful and optimized environment for developers. MapPoint Technology is the core technology behind Microsoft’s mapping and location services platforms and applications. It is the basis for MapPoint’s powerful business and consumer desktop applications and the application developer XML Web service platform.
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