From Bing to Azure: The future of mapping
Podcast|by Leanne Bevan|26 February 2026

The evolution of mapping
In this episode of Grey Matter Talks Tech, host Martha Head is joined by Justine Coates, Principal Program Manager for Microsoft Azure Maps, to explore how mapping has evolved - from Bing Maps to Azure Maps - and what that means for developers and organisations today.
They discuss why Bing Maps is reaching end of life, what existing users need to think about next, and how Azure Maps is enabling smarter, more scalable location-based solutions. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of mapping, including the growing influence of Microsoft Fabric and IoT, and how these technologies are shaping innovation across industries.
Whether you’re planning a migration or simply curious about where mapping is headed, this episode offers practical insight and expert perspective from the people closest to the technology.
Our guest speaker - Justine Coates
Justine Coates is a Principal Program Manager at Microsoft with deep expertise in geospatial platforms, IoT devices, cloud services, and developer-facing APIs. She leads customer engagement, supportability, and technical evangelism for Azure Maps and enterprise mapping technologies, working closely with engineering, licensing, partners, and customers to drive scalable solutions, improve developer adoption, and resolve complex technical and operational challenges. With more than two decades in software engineering and program management, she is known for bridging highly technical systems with practical business outcomes, strengthening support operations, and serving as a trusted advisor to both internal teams at Microsoft and global customers.
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