Over the last few weeks, we’ve noted the deprecation of Google Maps Engine; the ending of the Google Earth API and then last week’s announcement that Google Earth Pro is now free. We’ve been asking ourselves what this means for the Google’s spatial enterprise customers and the picture became much clearer with an announcement from Esri, earlier today.
This is positioning Esri’s technology stack as the transition from Google Earth Enterprise, Google Maps Engine and Google Maps Engine API. That represents the biggest shift in the spatial community since Google acquired Keyhole back in 2004. In terms of impact, given the prevalence of Google spatial technologies today, the spatial community is about to go through a profound change.
Spatial.IQ are independent and knowledgeable of Esri & Google spatial technologies. We understand that any process of technology change needs careful consideration. As independents, we’re not afraid to tell you what works; what might work in a year’s time; and what doesn’t work. So if you’re a Google customer who needs help navigating this change, please give us a call and start a conversation that will keep you ahead of the transition.
It’s well worth reading the questions to gain a better understanding of what’s happening. That very first question and answer hints at the enormity of the revolution that’s underway:
Q – What is the Esri/Google relationship?
A – Google and Esri are working closely together to provide replacement software and training to all of Google’s enterprise customers and partners that have implemented Google Earth Enterprise and Google Maps Engine technology. Esri will be providing the new 10.3 version of ArcGIS for Server and related client/app technology to all Google Earth Enterprise and Google Maps Engine customers and partners.
This seems to suggest a level of relationship that isn’t yet reflected in the Google Earth blogs but doesn’t indicate the ‘why’. We can only surmise that Google finally realised that while local search is capable of monetising the investments in Google Maps, that was never going to translate into meaningful revenue streams for Google Earth Enterprise or Google Maps Engine. Meanwhile, Esri knows how to do that. Any change of this enormity will create disruptive ripples. How will this change Esri’s relationship with Microsoft (which always promised so much and yet failed to become transformational)? How will this shift the balance of power in the Open Geospatial Consortium? How will this impact AGI’s Open Source Cesium platform?
What is surprising is that Esri’s giving away a lot of freebies with this: attendance at Esri UC; free Esri software and a year of maintenance; free training. That represents a huge outlay in cash; suggesting that there might be more to this new Google / Esri relationship than meets the eye.
Call us and stay ahead of the game.
