How Do Maps Applications Work?

Probably it is impossible to meet a single person, who doesn't know about Google Maps or its alternatives.

Various mobile apps with built-in map features have already become a significant part of our everyday lives. We face them when looking for a taxi, ordering food delivery, parking locations, traffic jams, traveling to new places, planning our optimal routes, etc.

In summary, it is hard to imagine modern life without map applications. So, is it possible to develop a custom map software solution, is such development even worth considering, what is the situation on the market, how to hire dedicated development team, and how do map apps work? To answer all these questions, let's start from the very beginning.

What Maps Application Can Be Used For?

Cleary, maps existed long before their digital versions like Google Maps emerged.

There is no point in explaining the importance of such instruments because it is obvious. However, the importance of their digital variations might not be as obvious.

Clearly, such apps as Google Maps, for example, are providing the same features as traditional maps. Truth be told, they are proposing even more options to choose from and are, in fact, much more capable and accurate, than their "ancestors".

For instance, software-based maps do not require any knowledge for successful use: most processes are already automated, starting with defining the exact location of the mobile device, and ending with extended location services like building numerous routes for outdoor navigation, they can also measure distances, predict arrival time, etc.

To cut a long story short, thanks to the software and algorithms, such apps as Google Maps have made navigation truly user-friendly, with real-time updates and improvements, aimed at improving the user experience.

1.Food Delivery and Logistics

Another obvious conclusion is that such applications significantly impacted numerous industries, particularly delivery and logistics.

As a matter of fact, such software solutions have already become location-based technologies by default. Such core features changed the entire industry of delivery, bringing countless options and possibilities, without which it is impossible to imagine such modern services. Some such applications utilize the Google Maps platform in unpredictable and unobvious ways.

For instance, apart from parcel tracking, or choosing the destination point, as well as defining your current location, i.e. in what city you are, food delivery services are primarily location-based apps. Thus, they also include your location to propose the nearest restaurants as a more preferred option to simplify and speed up the delivery.

Not to mention the overall impact of Google Maps navigation on the field of fleet management, which allows to cut transportation expenses by route optimization and planning remarkably, real-time traffic updates, as well as the possibility to turn on the offline mode, in cases there is no satellite coverage in certain areas on the route. And all the foregoing is just a small part of all the optional functionality available now in the industry.

2.Travelling and Entertainment

Last but not least, the Google Earth application brings prosperity not only to businesses and employees but also creates a lot of possibilities for regular citizens.

For example, Google Street View enables virtual tours all around the globe for everyone by proposing not only a map version of the world but also a 3D version of visual elements from countless places, caught on camera.

Finally, such instruments become essential for such new-age approaches as OSINT and GEOINT by allowing them to perform location intelligence. For example, the Geoguessr game combines both, by making active users guess the random location from Google Earth or Street View, and find it on the map.

How Maps Software Works?

To cut a long story short, just like any other software, all mapping services are code-based.

Nevertheless, unlike the rest technologies, mapping applications require not only working lines of code but access to geospatial data. Thus, all digital maps depend not only on the input information or the quality of the code but also on information about certain locations and areas, as well as other maps and geospatial services, provided by third-party companies.

For instance, apart from the already "traditional" digital look of mapping apps, it is also possible to turn on other map versions like satellite images, landscape visualization, etc. These versions are optional for users, yet essential for the application owners.

In fact, all these types of data are required to make your mapping service as accurate as possible by comparing and contrasting all of the available data sources. Alternatively, many such apps allow users to create their map layers, which may include different information like public transportation maps overlaid in certain cities, or other possible marks. Yet, in most cases, such maps won't be shared with all the active users, yet can be used for individual purposes.

To make it simple, location-based app development, as well as the creation of the map application itself is a very complex process, which engages not only the software development but requires a lot of different types of data from various sources and highly depends on the work of third-party companies from other fields. In other words, such a development task is extremely uncertain and expensive, requiring a large number of engaged and dedicated experts from numerous industries.

As a result, the number of digital mapping services is very limited. The most popular and influential examples of such technologies can be counted on fingers. In addition to Google Maps, we can also name TomTom, Apple Maps, Waze, and Mapbox streets.

There are some other interesting mapping services with unique approaches like OpenStreetMap, which is based on the data, provided by its user community, instead of cooperation with various aerospace agencies. Yet, these are less famous and commonly used cases.

Google Maps Phenomenon

Fun fact: most modern location-based apps are using Google Maps API under the hood.

Plainly speaking, not all applications are using this particular technology. However, they might use Google Maps alternatives instead. The reason is simple: it is much faster, cheaper, and easier to simply integrate a ready-made functionality and use SaaS software development solutions instead of developing custom ones.

As was said before, the main challenge is not the location-based app development, but the maintenance of the map feature. In other words, a single feature will require as much effort and expense, as the whole standalone application, demanding constant and incremental map updates, access to real-time data, experienced offshore software development team, etc.

There is no need to explain why it is unreasonable for small or even mid-size businesses because even such popular and huge corporations as Uber have to work with Google Maps. They have tried to develop their own maps application for internal usage, but Uber had to give up this idea, at least for now due to the high cost and extremely complex and resource-intensive processes, which are just the first step to developing a working full-fledge digital mapping service.

Therefore, there are so few global mapmakers, who are delivering maps as SaaS software development solution, making it reachable both for regular active users and corporations, which require such software to achieve their business goals and perform their routine business activities. Still, it doesn't mean, that there is a monopoly on this market or any other artificial restrictions and obstacles, which do not allow to become an active part of the mapmaking business.

The only actual issue is the overall complexity and final price for all the efforts and steps, required to be done to create a full-fledged standalone digital map application. Instead, it seems easier and cheaper to simply use ready-made solutions, most of which are distributed as SaaS, via API, or even open-source projects, available for everyone for free.

As for now, Google Maps is the most common and popular SaaS software development solutions, which is constantly used in numerous software applications all over the globe thanks to the popularity and recognition of the Google brand, as well as their access to limitless resources and huge active user community, which allows to gather even more data, making the functionality of this and other mobile applications or services even more precise and accurate.

Is It Worth Developing a New Map Application?

The short answer is - no. It will be easier, cheaper, and faster to adopt one of the ready-made software products.

Nevertheless, for some reason, if you are not satisfied with this answer, there are a few steps to make a more informed and balanced choice on whether to adopt or develop on your own:

• Ask yourself about the purpose of developing your own map feature, and whether there are any crucial pros to developing a new project.
• Define the main reason for having this functionality: whether you are interested in creating a mapmaking business, that will be built around this feature, or are simply willing to enable it as an extra function option, that is beneficial for the business, yet is not a core technology.

Clearly, if you are willing to become a new digital maps distributor, you will need to create your own application with the related functionality, data gathering and analysis, etc. In case, when your main goal is something other than building application maps like, let's say, the logistics industry, then it will be smarter and easier to find a ready-made solution, ready for integration.

Application Maps with Incora

One of the best ways to make a correct choice is to contact niche-experienced app developers for hire, who are familiar with such technologies.

For instance, our Incora remote software development team has some proven experience in working with map functionality, software development as a service, and white label app development which can be seen in our recent case studies.

Thus, if you struggle with choosing the correct approach to developing a map feature or a full-fledged map application - you can contact us in order to discuss your plans and ideas with our staff and find the most suitable approach to embodying your ideas.