ARTSOPOLIS introduces improved mapping performance and greater possibilities with Mapbox.
For nearly 15 years Google Maps was the standard for location mapping across all ARTSOPOLIS Network websites. For the most part, the service was free as long as the number of Dynamic Maps Javascript calls remained within a certain limit. However, around July 2018 Google cut the of number of uncharged API calls each site could make from 25,000 per day to 28,000 per month, and began requiring that all formerly free API keys must be associated with a billable account to cover any overage fees. The result was a significant cost increase to many of our mid-sized sites, and a massive cost increase to several of our largest sites.
In response to this we began developing ways to manage these costs by reducing the use of Google Maps' more advanced services and relying more heavily on lesser services, such as its Static Maps API with the option to then convert the map to a dynamic map.
This approach did successfully reduce costs so that most ARTSOPOLIS Network sites fell within Google's free monthly API call allocation. However, this was a major drawback for our users who had become accustomed to having dynamic maps by default.
It was not long after we deployed these cost management solutions that we were introduced to Mapbox. Since its inception in 2010 Mapbox has steadily grown to become the leading alternative to Google Maps for custom map development. Today it boasts such clients as Ancestry, Foursquare, Lonely Planet, Facebook, the Financial Times, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Weather Channel, and Snapchat.
After many hours of research, review and development we are excited to announce that we have begun deployment of Mapbox and have already started transitioning select Network Member sites to this new mapping platform. With our custom built transition tool switching each site from Google Maps to Mapbox is seamless and nearly instantaneous.
You can expect that all of the mapping functionality you have become accustomed to over the years with Google Maps will be included in our implementation of Mapbox. This process will take us roughly 6-8 weeks to implement across all the Network sites.
Additionally, we're very excited about the other future possibilities that Mapbox offers, including custom icons, heatmaps, walking/biking/driving directions, content tagging, itinerary paths, more advanced geo-coding of local businesses, and more. Some of these features will be considered for integration into our system, while others will be made available for special projects. Stay tuned!
