BizMaps are dedicated to helping Government agencies achieve a new level of business intelligence through innovations that enhance decision making and help reduce response time. With this in mind, BizMaps offers Microsoft Virtual Earth™ Technologies, an integrated set of products and services that provide a robust platform for building cost-effective, flexible and accurate intelligence solutions that take advantage of the power of location.   Microsoft Virtual Earth solutions leverage existing infrastructure and integrate current technology assets to help speed deployment, shorten development time and reduce expenditures. Key features of the Microsoft Virtual Earth platform for government are: Enhanced Intelligence Features Geo-specific, photo-realistic 3D renderings of urban environments and digital elevation models allow users to explore locations and study objects of interest from all perspective and vantage points. Rich earth imagery provides unmatched clarity and insight for analyzing business intelligence data within the context of location. Virtual Earth-based solutions provide a big picture view of assets and other data at a glance; users can then drill down on points of interest for more detailed information relevant to those locations. Integrate real-time data from web sources such as weather, traffic and video. Quickly locate and discover points of interests and other critical information and then disseminate that mission critical information. Easily view data in 2D format and then instantly toggle that view to 3D. Improved Data Sharing Features Access applications through a web browser. Visualize multiple-source, multiple-format data through decision support portals. Extend existing investments in ESRI & MapInfo—traditional “heavy GIS” systems by incorporating existing spatial data into a Virtual Earth environment. Easy to develop and deploy a Virtual Earth powered application—requires no GIS experience or special software to deploy or license individually to your user base. No need to convert your data into proprietary data formats. Microsoft Virtual Earth supports open standards. “Software Assurance” is included. Microsoft-supplied data and content updates are automatically delivered to your application through the Virtual Earth API, as it becomes available. Naturally integrates and extends your existing IT investment. Key Applications of Microsoft Virtual Earth platform for government are: Public Service Websites Intranet Applications   Click here to find out what's going on in our Virtual Earth for Government blog.