Something that really fuels mapping and geospatial information is being able to analyze map data.

Microsoft has released Visual Fusion 5.0, a stunning suite of map analysis tools with a brilliant visual flare, producing heat maps, false-color charts, even 3D infographics out of geospatial data. All the news is available from another post on the Bing Maps blog,

Business Intelligence is a growing industry and, according to most surveys, the top IT priority of executives for the next few years.  Similarly, location intelligence and data visualization have been expanding their prominence within business intelligence circles.  Visual Fusion helps to highlight the important role that Bing Maps can play across the enterprise and government in a myriad of implementations:  security, marketing, supply chain, asset tracking, operations intelligence, workforce management, commodities trading, government transparency, continuity management, counter-terrorism, situational awareness, and more.

While Visual Fusion appears to be designed specifically with the business user in mind, although it could have some applications across the academic environment. Being able to collate and visual data geographically, compelling visualizations can sometimes highlight patterns that are otherwise invisible in the underlying data. Indeed, as some of the images display, Bing maps is a fantastic canvas to visualize the information with.

It’s also mentioned that Visual Fusion 5.0 is tightly integrated with SharePoint 2010, which means that companies who already run that software will be able to benefit greatly.

And, with glittering visuals like this, businesses and government offices should be able to quickly produce interesting graphics for web pages to deliver hard-hitting factual information to users.

It also looks like Bing is going green with their map application and the Shout! program.

From Microsoft’s Bing Maps blog,

Bing Maps continues its commitment to empowering educators and students with the “Shout!” map app. The Shout! program “invites educators and students to take an active role in global environmental issues. Connect online with experts in the field, share ideas, and collaborate with people around the world committed to solving environmental challenges,” as described on their website.

This map app displays the participating schools and the Smithsonian Tree Research Centers associated with the Shout Learning Initiative (www.shoutlearning.org).  The Smithsonian is the one of the initiative’s first key partners, along with Microsoft’s Partners In Learning Network and TakingITGlobal.

The mapping program works by plotting pushpin indicators and collaborative information layered over a map to provide contextual information to visitors and teammates. By joining their application with the Smithsonian Tree Research Centers they can display data on work in various parts of the world, compare, and link themselves together geospatially for an at-a-glance “what’s going on?” look.

We tried to test their map but it seems to be having trouble right now. Greeted by, “Error Getting Data. Please try again.” So no review of the service at this time. This news comes to us right on the heels of our coverage about a hyper local search project by Google Maps, Place Search. although not educational in origin.

Even if you cannot get the map app to work, I would encourage you to visit the Shout! Learning homepage for more information on the project.

Technology, environmentalism, and education get together—combining geography, search, and collaboration. Seems like a match made in silicon-carbon heaven.