MapmyIndia to take on Google in GPS space

Hyderabad:  New Delhi-based MapmyIndia is gearing up to launch navigation application for consumers, a move that will directly pit the homegrown navigation technology provider against global internet giant Google which currently enjoys monopoly in this space in India and around the world through its popular Google Maps offering.

Among the first few companies in India to focus on navigation and mapping, MapmyIndia, established in 1995, has so far restricted its presence to enterprise, automotive and government clients, a niche area that generates major chunk of its revenues which were in the range of Rs 150 to 200 crore last fiscal, but the company is of strong believe that its foray into individual consumers’ space will give it more room to scale its operations.

“We are working on a navigation solution which will be a credible option for consumers who currently use Google Maps for navigation. We have found some gaps in Google’s offering. We will fill those gaps. We are confident that our product, which will be launched in a few months, will be a credible alternative for Google’s product,” Rakesh Verma, Managing Director, MapmyIndia, told the media here on Tuesday.

Like Google India, this company will also offer its navigation application free. It will use resources generated from the existing revenue streams to fund the new venture. “It’s not easy to monetise such products, so we will subsidise it. Our main aim to expand our brand’s reach,” Verma explained. He however refused to disclose investments that will go into it. “We already have maps. 

The only thing we have to do is to develop an application,” he maintained. This apart, MapmyIndia whose navigation software is widely used in Indian cars is now close to launching a similar software for two-wheelers as well. “We have developed a unique software which suits Indian conditions. 

Perhaps, we will be the first company to develop such a software for two-wheelers,” Verma claimed, adding that the company would unveil the software in a month. He further said that efforts were underway to increase revenues from Telangana. “Hardly two to three per cent of our revenues come from Telangana. We are trying to increase this,” he observed.

Meanwhile, the company launched MapmyIndia Map Engine, a solution designed to geo-enable applications and solutions with faster turnaround time. The engine is powered with the company’s rich map data content in the form of map tiles and ready-to-use geospatial functionalities to integrate with any platform capable of consuming APIs (application programming interfaces). 

“Looking at the current trends in India, all projects being envisaged or planned are geo-enabled, wherein location is a critical factor. This map engine is universally compatible with all commonly used software and ERP systems/platforms, thus allowing for speedier deployment and faster turnaround time,” Verma said. The new map engine is primarily targeted at smart cities.