Desktop Mapping?

General
1

Is it possible to include a map (google or other) within a desktop application and mark multiple addresses within that map? I have a field service application that I would like to show to a dispatcher where each mechanic is location at any given time.

2

I was thinking about this the other day too for an app I have in mind. I am curious.

3

I use the google api via httpsocket and retrieve an image that I display in a canvas.

4

Tim, I’d be interested in how to do this.

5

Put this code in a pushbutton:

  dim google as new HTTPSocket
  dim address as string = "1705 S Capital Of Texas Highway, Austin, TX 78746"
  address = replaceall(address, ",", "")
  address = replaceall(address, " ", "+")
  dim s as string ="http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?center="+address _
  +"&markers=color:red%7Clabel:X%7C"+ address _
  + "&size=300x300&sensor=false"
  dim result as string = google.get(s, 15)
  dim f as FolderItem = specialfolder.Temporary.child("tempic")
  if f<> nil then
    if f.exists then f.delete
    dim b as binarystream = BinaryStream.Create(f)
    b.write result
    b.close
    pic = f.OpenAsPicture
    canvas1.Refresh
  end

Where pic is a property of the window and canvas1.Paint is:

if pic <> nil then g.drawpicture pic, 0, 0
6

The api documentation is at https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/staticmaps/

7

2014r1 will have an example that shows how to display a location in a Google Map using HTMLViewer in a desktop app. In the meantime, you can take a look at the Eddie’s Electronics desktop app (in the Sample Applications folder), which also does this. It only shows a single location, but I suspect that multiple locations can be marked as well with some tweaks to the JavaScript.

8

Thanks, Paul. However, I am unable to use anything past 2013R2 because of ODBCPlugin issues with MS SQL Server databases. So, I’m stuck at that point in time.

9

You can use Google Maps but you have to pay them if your app is not Open Source. (FREE might get by with no costs but I cant remember as it was a few months ago). HERE Map ( dev link ) and check out the licensing & terms page ( L&T ). HERE allows for commerical use of their APIs for FREE if the API polls are bellow a certain threshold. They have lots of options to get the data also. Javascript API, REST API, and some native APIs.

I have to admit/confess/whatever, my day job is at HERE. I am not part of the MAPping group but I do support them.

sb

10

as long as you can do REST API calls, you can use the HERE MAPs (and I believe the Google MAPs).

11

I would expect the example to work fine with older versions. In fact, the EEDesktop example from 2013r2 already has this Google Maps display.