MapInfo Professional 9.5 is the 23rd revision of this mature GIS, mapping & spatial analysis software system for Windows workstations.   First shipped in June 2008, v9.5 maintains a decade+ tradition of delivering software upgrades annually. The feature-rich v9.5.1 maintenance upgrade was released in December 2008.

Compared to other GIS software, MapInfo Pro is distinguished by its:
- Windows "look-and-feel" including full support for the Vista O/S;
- Tightly-integrated set of viewing, editing, mapping & analytic tools;
- Unparalleled "what-if" analysis features; and
- Excellent inter-connectivity with Oracle, Excel, Access, SQL Server and other industry standard software.

New in Version 9.5

Text label "collision avoidance" system

MapInfo Pro 9 introduced curved text labels.  v9.5 takes it to the next level by auto-repositioning dynamic text to avoid overlaps.   The result:  more labels will automatically fit on the maps.

SGSI's view:  Potentially the most important time-saver of v9.5.  MapInfo Pro users previously had to spend way too much time "getting the labels" right.  This should help a lot.
 

Translucent Regions and Text (v9.5.1)

Use v9.5.1's translucency settings to distinguish overlapping map features, including text.  Translucency now applies to vector layers, not just raster/grid layers.  It is more powerful than the standard "See through" cross-hatched fill patterns. 

A related benefit:  With translucency is enabled, all selected objects are highlighted on screen--even those that coincide or overlap exactly. 
 

	Before v9.5.1		After v9.5.1

SGSI's view: 
Translucency is great!  It allows for map designs with a richer set of complex and overlapping information.  MapInfo Pro's implementation is very flexible and powerful. 
Cartographic quality aside, all users will benefit from transparency because it improves the way selected features are highlighted. Previously, MapInfo Pro did not always highlight coincident features in the Selection: e.g., when points stacked up in the same location.  That is, the highlight coloration showed if there were an Odd number of coincident features, but not if there were an Even number.  v9.5.1 uses the new vector translucency feature to resolve this.

Translucent region fill patterns plus translucent text labels introduced with MapInfo Pro 9.5.1 (12/2008).

Smoother & Clearer Rendering (v9.5.1)

Using "anti-aliasing" technology, MapInfo v9.5.1 draws text, lines, regions and other vector features more clearly and with less "stair-stepping".  Anti-aliasing, like all "enhanced rendering" features, is optional, but adds graphic polish and visual clarity.
 

	Before v9.5.1		After v9.5.1

SGSI's view:  What's not to like about crisper text and smoother line work?  The improvements will be subtle to some, but are especially noticeable on high-res screens and large-format print outs.

CAD Drawing Extensions

MapInfo Pro 9.5 ships with MapCAD. MapCAD is a set of  CAD-like drawing extensions to reduce the clicks needed to create and edit utilities, telecom, building, and land parcel maps.

Maps used with MapCAD should be in cartesian coordinates systems such as "State Plane" or Non-Earth.

MapCAD is a mature set of tools, developed by AGIS GmbH, a Pitney Bowes Business Insight (PBBI/MapInfo) business partner in Frankfurt, Germany.  It has long been sold as a separately-priced MapInfo Pro extension. 

SGSI's view:  The underlying architecture for these tools has always been in place.  But these tools make MapInfo Pro truly useable for many kinds of public agency, land planning, facility management, and traditionally-CAD applications.  It is to PBBI's credit that it bundles MapCAD with MapInfo Pro 9.5, rather than offering it only as a high-priced optional plug-in.

Store maps in SQL Server 2008

SQL Server 2008 is the first SQL Server version to manage map regions, lines and points.  If offers two new data types:  GEOGRAPHY (think "lon-lat") and GEOMETRY (think "cartesian").  MapInfo Pro 9.5 lets you directly access, visualize and analyze this spatial data without SpatialWare or other plug-ins. 

SGSI's view:  Support for SQL Server is not new.  Many MapInfo Pro users store attribute data, including x,y point maps in SQL Server.  Support for storing maps in a DBMS is not new.  MapInfo Pro has long supported the Oracle spatial data types.  PBBI itself sells SpatialWare, a set of spatial extensions for SQL Server 2000 and 2005.  What is new is SQL Server's native support for map data and Microsoft's implicit endorsement of the potential of spatial technology.  SQL Server 2008 has nowhere near the spatial analysis features (i.e., spatial functions) of SpatialWare or Oracle.  SQL Server 2008 is interesting as a first step for Microsoft.  Let's see where it leads.

Click for Microsoft White Paper (leads to different site)...

MapInfo Pro Automation via .NET

Developers will be excited to see that, with v9.5, they can write MapInfo Pro extensions using the .NET Framework.  v9.5 adds specific MapBasic commands to declare and use methods in .NET assemblies.  Thus C# and VB.net developers can use the tools they know and love to extend MapInfo Pro functionality.

• .NET Framework 2.0 will be installed by default on all MapInfo Pro 9.5 systems.

• For .net-based extensions, only "static methods" (aka "shared functions" in VB.net) are supported. 

• .NET custom assemblies can be registered in the Global Assembly Cache (GAC), but are not required to be.  If not in the GAC, the need to be in same folder as the associated MBX.

SGSI's view:  Superb news for .NET developers.  It was all possible before, using "mixed DLLs" and a blend of C++ and C#, but awkward at best.  This feature will be heavily used! 
 

Other

Little things that could make all the difference:  new v9.5 features SGSI particularly likes:

• Layer Control lists layer name in "bold" when it has a feature selected. 
  
  SGSI's view: Solves common user problems:  Which layer is this feature in?  How do I spot the layer in Layer Control for which Display or Label settings should change?  In v9.5, select the feature on the map, then find the Layer name in "bold" in Layer Control.
   

• More quickly set "editability". 
  In v9.5, "context menu" (Right-Click to see it) offers the option to "Make Selection Layer Editable".
   
   

• Create map windows more quickly by selecting groups of layers for a new map window:
  
   

• Clearly identify colors on Color, symbol, and brush  pallettes: 

	Before v9.5		After v9.5

Optional modules:

• Online Geocoding & Drivetime:  New in v8.5, these services can be purchased in blocks of transactions.  Add-on cost:  $1000 or $1800 blocks, typically.  $1000 buys 25,000 street-level US/Canada geocodes or 250 US/Canada drivetime buffers (mix & match is OK).

• MapBasic:  The MapInfo Pro automation software.  New MapBasic commands in v9.5 support MapInfo Pro v9.5 features.  
  Note:  MapBasic 9.0/9.5 MBXs will not run with earlier versions of MapInfo Pro.

• Vertical Mapper 3.5:  Contouring, 3D and Grid Analysis module. 
  Add-on cost:  $1195/user (ask about bundled prices, too).  More ...

Before ordering, consider your options:

• Do you need a new full desktop license, or an upgrade?  If upgrading, do you have your serial number?

• Do you only want to buy MapInfo Pro, or do you want to add Maintenance.  Effective Oct 2006,  Maintenance includes phone Technical Support, all software upgrades, and discounts on MapWorld/Insights Conference attendance.

All prices listed here are in US$, for a single named-user desktop license, for shipment to USA destinations and are subject to change without notice.  We must have your serial number to process an upgrade order.  Volume discounts may apply if you have 15+ individual licenses.  Please call SGSI at 206-224-0800 for volume license and concurrent license options as well as for detailed quotations.
 

1.  Free online training
 
Previous sold for $40 per lesson, the online training web site is now open to all at no charge.   Link to PBBI/MapInfo Corp's online training...
Note:  You will be asked to "register".  (Pls. select "SCHLOSSER GEOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS" as your contact on the registration form.  Please see example here ...)

2.  Paid training

Please see SGSI Training page ...

You can order MapInfo Pro, Upgrades, Annual maintenance, and/or Technical support by simply calling SGSI at 1-206-224-0800 or email us. 

For upgrades and support orders, please have your serial #s handy, as it is required by PBBI/MapInfo. 
- The serial number usually listed in the "MapInfo > Help > About this Product ..." dialog box. 

MapInfo Pro 9.0
Curved, follow-the-line text labels; Windows Vista O/S support; layout templates; date/time data types.   More ...

MapInfo Pro 8.5
Grid/raster reprojection on the fly; integrate web services, such as MapMarker & Envinsa; enhanced higher-res print engine; multiple ease-of-use enhancements.   More ...

MapInfo Pro 8.0
Support for complex 100 million-node regions; Distance Calculator; Support for ESRI grid & 3D Shapefile formats;     More ...

MapInfo Pro 7.8
New "spider graph" and "Synch Windows" utilities; Square and colored dot density maps; large 2048-character text objects; support for Oracle 10g & AccessXP formats; real-time use of both raster "WMS" and vector "WFS" map layers.  More ...

MapInfo Pro 7.5
New snap, cross-hairs, & "print to scale" features; support for 64,000 row XLSs & Oracle 9.03; Workspace "packager"; higher-res. fill patterns and symbols; real-time use of maps from remote "web map servers" (WMS).  More ...

MapInfo Pro 7.0
XP-logo certified, direct display of ShapeFile format maps, proximal area (voronoi), object rotation, "nudge" nodes, and Crystal Reports  More ...

MapInfo Pro 6.5
Extruded "prism" thematic maps, raster translucency, map "thinning", "cleaning", and other editing enhancements, "invert" selection tool, and  More ...

MapInfo Pro 6.0
3D perspective map views; auto-hotlinks to XLS, DOC and other documents; HTML page-builder tool; improved 24-bit color printing control; & support for Access 2000 binary format.  More ...

MapInfo Pro 5.5
New charting styles, improved cartographic legends, shaded relief grid maps, MrSID image format support (from SGSI!), & completely re-written map feature processing (split's, combine's, etc) .  More ...

MapInfo Pro 5.0
Continuous-color grid thematics, cartographic legends, dynamic ODBC, Crystal Reports.  More ...

MapInfo Pro 4.5
Info Tips, thematic templates, saved queries, interleaved line styles, up to 1,000,000 nodes, & bundled Universal GIS translators.    More ...

MapInfo Pro 4.1
Native MS-Access support without ODBC, export JPEG or Photoshop formats.  More ...
 

Curved, "follow-the-line" text labels introduced with MapInfo Pro 9.0 (2007). 

Integrate street-level drive time region analysis (requires paid service or Envinsa server).  Introduced with MapInfo Pro 8.5 (2006).