Business Model Disruption: Analyzing MapQuest vs. Google Maps

This report provides a detailed comparison of the business models of MapQuest and Google Maps, focusing on how Google Maps disrupted the existing market. It begins by defining the terms 'business model' and 'disruption,' then identifies MapQuest as a company that experienced significant disruption due to technological advancements and the emergence of Google Maps. The report outlines the original MapQuest business model, which relied on web-based mapping services, and contrasts it with the innovative approach of Google Maps, which utilized advanced technology, improved user interfaces, and incorporated features like 3D views and real-time traffic analysis. The analysis highlights how Google Maps' superior technology, comprehensive features, and integration of AI led to its dominance, ultimately disrupting MapQuest's market position. The report critically compares both models, emphasizing the crucial role of technological advancement and the adoption of new programming languages in Google Maps' success, and discusses the factors that contributed to Google's disruption of MapQuest's business model.

MapQuest vs Google
Maps

Table of Contents
1) Clearly define the terms business model and disruption.........................................................1
2).Identify a company or product/service that has been disrupted and outlines the new business
model and existing business model..............................................................................................1
3) Critically compare the two identified business models and reasons why the new business
model disrupted the existing business model...............................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

1) Clearly define the terms business model and disruption
A business model is a plan which outlines the overall operations of business. It contain
details about resources, customer base, products and services provided, etc. it helps in starting a
business in effective way (Zhu and Gonder, 2018). Basically, the models are developed by
companies in order to start new business. It is a conceptual structure that contains goals and
objectives of company.
On other hand, disruption means problems or issues that occur in business operations or
model. The disruption can be either small or big depending on model of business. Due to
disruptions it becomes difficult to implement model in effective way.
2).Identify a company or product/service that has been disrupted and outlines the new business
model and existing business model.
It is necessary for a company to develop business model so that it gives an outline of
what operation's will be performed, goals and objectives, who will be target customers, etc. it
helps them to work accordingly and attain goals and objectives in systematic and effective way.
Moreover, it gives an insight that what services are will be offered.
There exists a company Verizon media which provided free online mapping service. In
this the overall business model was based on web mapping which allowed people to navigate and
track address. The model works on basis of website where user have to access it by using
internet. It is known as MapQuest and was launched in 1966. But is facing many problems since
last 10 years. The model faced many disruptions. First was due to technological advancement the
maps was not been shown properly. Also, it took a lot of time to navigate location. Another
disruption that it was developed in C programming language that was not so effective. It created
many issues for front end user. Moreover, it didn’t give any 3-D image or high view resolution in
mapping. Also, the app was launched later on Android and IOS. Before, it customer have to use
website in order to access it. So, in model resources were not identified in proper way.
By following the above, a similar business model is developed by Google. They started
their mapping service with advance technology and programming language. This enabled them
to compete with MapQuest. Also, google map provided a high resolution and 3- D view which
was directly connected with satellite (Kodani and Saito, 2017). The model uses high
programming language that is Java, Ajax, etc. for front end user. Thus, MapQuest business
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model was disrupted by Google map. They offered high quality free online mapping services to
customers. Furthermore, there were some major modification in their services and navigation.
This made it easy for customer to navigate. The use of AI benefited them in easing task of
navigating. Google also developed and install AI which got easily integrated with Google maps.
Therefore, in this way Google map model disrupted MapQuest in terms of offering
services. The overall services, resources, etc. were outlined in proper way. Alongside it, proper
measures were taken which eased in make technological changes in services offered.
3) Critically compare the two identified business models and reasons why the new business model
disrupted the existing business model
According to .Chiang and Knoblock, 2015, it has been evaluated that Google map is
based on advance technology and include map of all over the world. On other hand, MapQuest
was based on old technology and provided only limited services of low quality.
From above discussion it can be identified that both business models were based on same
concept. But the disruption between them lead to success of one over another. There occurred
changes in process and services provided. As said by Voorheis, 2015, it was necessary to make
develop plan in order to eliminate disruption so that business model can be implemented in
effective way. However, technology played a vital role in implementation of model and
providing services to people. This was the main reason due to which MapQuest model was
disrupted by Google map. They implemented technology in their model due to which services
provided were of high quality. In addition to this, Google made changes in services with
technological advancement. They adopted and installed advance technology while offering
services. So, this was useful in improving quality as well. Also, by working in Java, XML, etc. it
provided ease for front end user to access Google map and navigate location.
As stated by Król, 2015, it can be identified that Google maps disrupted MapQuest
business model by making major changes in it and also on basis of many elements. First is due to
technological advancement Google map offered many other services as well. It offered panorama
view of street. Also, presently it is providing a 3-D view of map which makes it easy for people
to use it. Besides this, new business model in is integrated with AI. So, it enabled in easy
tracking of route. The user is able to get visualisation of geographical data and a real time traffic
analyzer. Moreover, Google map offers API that allows map to be embedded on third parties
whereas in MapQuest there was no role of third party in it.
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As per view of Kodani and Saito, 2017, another reason of existing business model was
disrupted is Google map provides top down and bird eye view in high resolution which was not
there is MapQuest. Alongside it, map is connected with satellite and gets update on daily basis.
However, in both model target customer was same. But main reason of disruption was use of
technology and platform on which front end user works.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Chiang, Y.Y. and Knoblock, C.A., 2015. Recognizing text in raster maps. Geoinformatica. 19(1).
pp.1-27.
Kodani, T. and Saito, S., 2017. Exploring Google Maps API as a Tool for Measuring Regional
and Overall Traffic.
Król, K., 2015. The description and comparative analysis of chosen tools automatizing the process
of creating interactive maps of spatial objects. Geomatics, Landmanagement and
Landscape.
Voorheis, J., 2015. mqtime: A Stata tool for calculating travel time and distance using MapQuest
web services. The Stata Journal. 15(3). pp.845-853.
Zhu, L. and Gonder, J.D., 2018. A driving cycle detection approach using map service
API. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies. 92. pp.349-363.
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