FAQs: Bing Maps Unification with Azure Maps
News|by Gabrielle Alvear|6 August 2024
We've put together this blog to answer some Frequently Asked Questions you may have regarding the Bing Maps Unification.
On 21 May 2024, Microsoft has shared their vision for a single enterprise mapping solution at Microsoft and are unifying their Bing Maps for Enterprise offering under Azure Maps.
Unifying their enterprise maps offerings under Azure Maps simplifies the experience for customers, making it easier to leverage other Azure cloud services while retaining familiar features from Bing Maps for Enterprise.
As Bing Maps approaches its sunset, we’ve put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions that may answer some of your queries.
Table of Contents: Bing Maps Unification FAQ guide
- Is Bing Maps going away? If so, when?
- What are the feature differences between Bing Maps and Azure Maps?
- Are there advantages to using Azure Maps instead of Bing Maps?
- What compliance and regulatory standards does Azure Maps offer?
- What is the geographic coverage for Azure Maps?
- In which markets is Azure Maps available in?
- How can I get started with Azure Maps? What kind of migration support is offered?
- Can my existing Bing Maps for Enterprise license migrate to Azure Maps?
- What is the best way to migrate my Bing Maps for Enterprise solution to Azure Maps?
- Why trust Grey Matter?
- Does Grey Matter provide any services to help me with my Azure environment?
- What additional documentation is available?
Q: Is Bing Maps going away? If so, when?
A: While Bing Maps for Enterprise will continue to be available to renew for existing customers with a paid enterprise license until 30 June, 2028.
Please note that Free and Basic license users will only be able to continue using their keys until 30 June 2025. We suggest migrating sooner rather than later or consulting with our Grey Matter mapping experts to see your options.
Q: What are the feature differences between Bing Maps and Azure Maps?
A: Generally, both services have nearly the same features and geographical coverage. Azure Maps offers added compliance and security for enterprise customers as well as additional services not available in Bing Maps such as Weather and Indoor Mapping.
We recommend working with your Grey Matter Account Manager to understand which features/coverage you require.
Our specialists can also tell you if a feature does not currently exist in Azure Maps, if/when it will be added and if there are potential alternatives in the meantime.
To see what’s possible on Azure Maps, explore these free code samples.
Q: Are there advantages to using Azure Maps instead of Bing Maps?
A: Yes. Azure Maps has unique features as well as advanced Azure-built security, privacy and compliance benefits that Bing Maps does not have. Also, Azure Maps is a consumption-based pay-as-you-go pricing, which does not require a minimum transactions tier purchase. Stay tuned for our upcoming Microsoft Mapping Unification webinar to learn more from Microsoft's own expert.
Q: What compliance and regulatory standards does Azure Maps offer?
A: Azure Maps offers many of the same compliance and regulatory standards generally supported by Azure. For more info see the Azure Compliance page.
Q: What is the geographic coverage for Azure Maps?
A: Detailed geographic coverage by Azure Maps service can be found here.
Q: Which markets are Azure Maps available in?
A: Azure Maps is available worldwide, with the exception of China and South Korea. Azure Maps plans to support these markets in the future.
FAQs Regarding Migration
Q: How can I get started with Azure Maps? What kind of migration support is offered?
A: Speak with your Grey Matter Account Manager to get started! They’ll be able to evaluate the best processes to migrate you onto the Azure platform, help you set up your Azure account and pay-as-you-go pricing. They can also assist you in adding Azure to a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.
Q: Can my existing Bing Maps for Enterprise license migrate to Azure Maps?
A: Azure Maps is a different Microsoft product with different terms of use and licensing model than Bing Maps for Enterprise, therefore, the licenses are not interchangeable.
However, creating an Azure Maps account under an existing Azure subscription is relatively straightforward and our team can help you with that.
Q: What is the best way to migrate my Bing Maps for Enterprise solution to Azure Maps?
A: Grey Matter is happy to manage your migration from Bing Maps to Azure Maps. As a Microsoft Direct and Indirect Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), you can choose the Go-To-Market model that best suits you.
Q: Why trust Grey Matter?
A: Our team goes beyond technical and commercial support to help you achieve your business goals. In addition to our high-touch services and consultative approach, Grey Matter also has the following value-adds other resellers and distributors don’t have:
- Long-standing Microsoft Partner
- Azure Specialist for ISV (one of 3 Microsoft Partners in the UK and 45 globally)
- Direct and Indirect Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider
- Four Partner Solution Designations including Azure Infrastructure and Modern Work
Q: Does Grey Matter provide any services to help me with my Azure environment?
A: In addition to Azure Migration services, we offer a range of Microsoft services delivered by our team of Microsoft certified engineers and architects such as:
- Azure Health Check
- Azure Design Service
- Azure Monitoring Service
- Azure Cost Optimisation
- Microsoft 365 Monitoring
Q: What additional documentation is available?
In addition to the Bing Maps to Azure Maps migration guide, you can also access the Bing Maps Q&A forum for any questions or contact our Grey Matter mapping team for technical questions.
No one knows mapping like we do
As the global distributor of Bing Maps, our team of dedicated mapping experts are here to help you enhance your applications and projects through the power of location intelligence.
To help you along your Bing Maps Migration process please contact us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to assist you.