Reflections on IDX Mapping

WolfNet pioneered map-based IDX search with the release of MapTracksSM on April Fool’s Day, 2005. MapTracksSM is now being released in its latest 3.0 version in select markets, and will be the version for all MapTracksSM subscribers nationwide later this year.

Looking back 6 years, it’s important to understand why WolfNet selected MapQuest as a mapping vendor. At the time, the Google Maps API was available and free to use, and we definitely considered it. Ultimately, our decision centered around making sure we could sustain quality service to our customers. MapQuest provided a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that included minimum guaranteed uptime, and promised no 3rd party advertising; Google made no such warranties. Even the remote possibility of interrupted service for our customers proved too risky.

We also anticipated someday Google might change its terms of service to include things like 3rd party ads in their maps. This would not only be a potential compliance issue with nearly every MLS in the country, but it also raised the possibility our customers would unintentionally feature ads on their IDX solution from competing firms. Neither occurrence would be acceptable.

Today, MapTracksSM 3.0 features mapping from 3 different leading map vendors: MapQuest, Bing and yes, Google. MapQuest still powers our primary map search interface. Bing powers oblique imagery on our Points of Interest “mini-maps,” found on all listing detail pages. These POI maps also feature Google Street View; while we do not anticipate ads appearing on these maps in the foreseeable future, this feature can easily be removed or modified without any interruption of service for the primary IDX search and mapping features.

Rich Bailey is the Director of Business Development for WolfNet Technologies. WolfNet’s Tip of the Week blog series will return next week.

Rich Bailey

WolfNet Technologies