Google has bought Endoxon, a Swiss company focused on web-based geo information services. The company provided imagery for map.search.ch, a successful map service, and local.ch, a local search service - both limited to Switzerland.
Endoxon has been working on a technology called "blue", that extends their products to the whole world. "blue is visualized information on the web. blue is the clever linking of a world map server, a search engine and a GIS. blue is a high-quality, comprehensive points- and map server, a virtual worldwide marketplace, a search and services platform. The user can search for information or he can visualize his own collected information. The download of selected blue data onto the mobile phone is possible. But blue is not only a vision. Its reality: Endoxon has been collecting, enhancing and geo referencing worldwide satellite and aerial images for a couple of years now."
Google acquired Endoxon's internet, mapping and data processing business units. Google says the acquisition "will enable us to leverage their analysis capabilities and will help us build out and improve the functionality of Google Earth and Google Maps across Europe."
In fact Endoxon did not develop map.search.ch, but it did provide its map images. However, the architect of map.search.ch, Bernhard Seefeld, changed to Endoxon and is responsible for their mapping solution. Some instances of "Blue", e.g. goyellow.de are already running maps of outside of switzerland.
ReplyDeleteFYI: http://www.blue24.com/worldserver.html
ReplyDeleteNeato!! I was wondering how long it would take. Congratulations to both of them!!
ReplyDeleteHow much did they pay? That is the interesting bit.
ReplyDelete"blue is the clever linking of a world map server, a search engine and a GIS"
ReplyDeleteAnyone have any idea what a GIS is?
GIS (geographic information system) is a system that obtains, digitizes, analyzes and displays geographic information.
ReplyDeletea small correction: local.ch is not in development by Endoxon. But the local.ch development team is making use of the Blue Map API (and Server) to tightly integrate the map into the local search site.
ReplyDeleteFriede, thanks for the correction! That's right, Endoxon "just" provided the map images for our application like map.search.ch and immo.search.ch.
ReplyDeleteFriends! What is Blue Map engine or Blue Map API? Where can I find information on this? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI saved some information from Google Cache to a notebook.
ReplyDelete