Maplytics is an advanced geospatial analytics tool built to integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM. Created by Inogic, this solution leverages Bing Maps to deliver robust features like data visualization, route optimization, territory management, and spatial analysis. Whether you’re optimizing field operations, planning sales strategies, or analyzing market trends, Maplytics enables you to make smarter decisions using location intelligence.
This review provides an in-depth exploration of Maplytics, including its installation process, features, use cases, pricing structure, and more, helping you determine if this tool is a fit for your business needs.
What Is Maplytics?
Maplytics bridges CRM data with geographic insights, transforming how businesses interact with customer and sales data. As a Dynamics 365 geo mapping app, it offers features like heatmaps, proximity search, and route planning. Maplytics is designed to simplify operations and empower field service teams, sales managers, and decision-makers.
Key Benefits of Maplytics App
Maplytics offers a range of powerful features that enhance your business operations, also this app provides to you valuable insights that drive smarter decision-making. Here are some of the key benefits of using Maplytics:
- Enhanced Decision-Making: Leverage geospatial insights for strategic planning and customer targeting.
- Increased Efficiency: Optimize travel routes, plan territories, and streamline appointments.
- Improved Customer Engagement: Better understand customer distribution and target specific regions effectively.
Maplytics Installation Guide
Installing Maplytics is straightforward but requires careful attention to configuration steps to ensure optimal performance. Below is a step-by-step guide:
Installation and Activation
Step 1. Source the Solution: Download Maplytics from Microsoft AppSource or the official Maplytics website.
Step 2. Import the Solution File: Use the Dynamics 365 Solution Import Wizard to upload the Maplytics solution to your CRM environment.
Step 3. Go to your Dynamics 365 → Settings → Solutions → Import.
Step 4. When prompted, check the box for Enable any SDK message processing steps.
Step 5. Wait until the import finishes successfully.
License Registration
Step 6. License Registration: After importing, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Maplytics → License registration.
Step 7. Activate a Trial: Fill in your details and click ACTIVATE for a 15-day free trial.
Step 8. Set Up Bing Maps Integration: Link your Bing Maps API key to activate map-based functionalities.
Key Features of Maplytics
Maplytics is packed with robust features that add tremendous value to Dynamics 365 CRM. Below, we explore its core functionalities.
Data Visualization
Maplytics allows users to plot CRM records—such as leads, opportunities, or accounts—on an interactive map. This helps visualize customer locations, identify patterns, and make informed decisions.
Custom Map Layers: Import shape files to display custom territories, boundaries, or other geographic overlays.
Filters and Categorization: Use advanced filters to display records based on specific criteria, such as revenue or region.
Route Optimization
Optimize travel routes for field agents, reducing travel time and operational costs.
Multi-Stop Planning: Plan routes for multiple destinations and optimize based on distance or travel time.
Truck Routing and Auto Scheduling: Designed for specialized needs like heavy vehicle routing or automated appointment scheduling.
Territory Management
Streamline sales and service territories with this Dynamics 365 sales territory mapping app by dividing regions effectively and dynamically adjusting boundaries.
Custom Territory Design: Define territories using postal codes, city boundaries, or custom shapes.
Real-Time Adjustments: Adjust territories based on sales performance or customer distribution.
Analytical Dashboards
Maplytics provides dashboards and heatmaps to analyze sales, revenue, and customer trends geographically.
Heat Maps: Visualize areas with high or low customer density, sales activity, or revenue generation.
Insights: Gain actionable insights for business growth through visual analysis.
Proximity Search and Appointment Planning
Find nearby customers, leads, or opportunities with proximity search, and use this feature to plan efficient visits.
Radius Search: Identify all customers within a specified distance from a central location.
Optimized Scheduling: Combine proximity search with route planning to streamline customer visits.
For a comprehensive look at these features, see the Maplytics User Manual that you can find in the solution .zip folder.
Common Use Cases of Maplytics Dynamics App
Field Service Optimization
Maplytics helps field agents minimize travel time by optimizing routes, ensuring they meet more customers in less time.
Sales Territory Planning
Create and manage sales territories using real customer data to maximize efficiency and revenue potential.
Market Analysis
Use geospatial analysis to identify high-performing regions or uncover opportunities in underperforming areas.
Customer Visit Planning
Plan customer visits effectively by using proximity search and multi-stop route optimization.
Maplytics Pricing and Licensing
Maplytics operates on a subscription-based pricing model that scales with business needs. Below is a summary of its cost structure:
- Base Cost: $10 USD per user per month, with a minimum of 5 users.
- Subscription Plans: Available in 6-month or 12-month durations.
- Free Trial: A 15-day free trial is available to test features before committing.
Possible additional costs:
- Bing Maps Transactions: Exceeding the standard limit incurs additional charges (e.g., $100 USD for 20,000 transactions).
- Auto Scheduling: Includes 36,000 transactions annually; additional 5,000 transactions cost $100 USD.
- Truck Routing: Includes 24,000 transactions annually; additional 7,500 transactions cost $100 USD.
For more details, refer to the Maplytics Terms of Use and License Registration Guide.
Pros and Cons of Maplytics App
Benefits of the App
Key benefits of Maplytics include:
- Seamless integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM. As a Dynamics CRM best mapping app, Maplytics is designed to work effortlessly within Dynamics 365, allowing users to access geospatial insights without needing external applications or data exports. This deep integration ensures that businesses can leverage mapping, territory planning, and route optimization directly within their CRM environment.
- Advanced mapping, territory management, and route optimization tools. The app offers powerful geospatial features, such as interactive maps for data visualization, optimized routing for field agents, and dynamic territory realignment.
- Flexible pricing with scalable transaction packs. Pay-as-you-grow model ensures businesses can scale usage without overpaying for unused resources.
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface. The UI is designed for easy navigation, making it accessible to both new and experienced Dynamics 365 users.
Downsides of the App
The app still has several limitations, in particular:
- Dependency on Bing Maps API can result in extra transaction costs. However, Pay-as-you-grow model also means that exceeding the default transaction limits can lead to additional costs, particularly for companies with high mapping or routing demands. To avoid unexpected expenses, it’s crucial to carefully estimate resource requirements before purchasing a subscription!
- Primarily designed for organizations using Dynamics 365. Not all companies use Dynamics 365 as their master system or their only business management solution. Large enterprise organizations often operate with multiple technologies across different departments, meaning that CRM data may be spread across various platforms. Therefore, before adopting Maplytics, it’s important to assess how well it can integrate and synchronize data with other systems used within your company. This will ensure that location intelligence and mapping insights are accessible across all relevant business applications.
- Subscription-based pricing may be challenging for smaller businesses. While the base cost is reasonable, the requirement for a minimum of five users and potential additional transaction fees may make it less appealing to startups or small businesses with limited budgets. For organizations with fluctuating mapping needs, the recurring subscription model could be a disadvantage compared to one-time purchase software.
Alternative Geospatial Apps for Dynamics 365
While Maplytics is a powerful mapping solution for Microsoft Dynamics 365, there are other alternatives that provide similar geospatial functionalities. Businesses looking for different features, pricing models, or integrations may consider the following apps:
GeoBusiness: Microsoft MapPoint Alternative for Dynamics 365
GeoBusiness for Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a robust location intelligence platform designed to integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Dynamics 365. It offers real-time mapping, geospatial analytics, and data visualization, enabling businesses to make informed decisions based on geographic insights. The platform supports multiple map layers, heat maps, and territory management, making it a strong alternative to Maplytics.
Maptaskr
Maptaskr is a cloud-based mapping and location intelligence tool built for Dynamics 365. It provides advanced geospatial analytics, optimized route planning, and automated customer engagement workflows. The app is especially useful for field service teams, as it helps in tracking workforce efficiency and managing on-the-go operations.
Mapsly
Mapsly offers a real-time location intelligence solution that integrates with Dynamics 365 CRM. It includes automated territory management, live location tracking, and AI-driven geospatial analytics. The tool is highly customizable and supports complex workflows, making it suitable for enterprises that require detailed geographic insights.
Each of these apps provides valuable geospatial capabilities, and choosing the right one depends on business needs, budget, and integration preferences.
Conclusion: Should You Use Maplytics App?
Maplytics is an invaluable tool for businesses seeking to enhance their CRM capabilities with geospatial intelligence. From route optimization to territory management, its features enable smarter, data-driven decisions. While the reliance on Bing Maps might incur additional costs, the efficiency and insights Maplytics provides often outweigh these expenses.
Whether you’re looking to optimize field operations or analyze sales performance geographically, Maplytics is a powerful addition to Dynamics 365 apps, enhancing the capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM.
Oleksandr is a passionate technical professional with extensive expertise in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (D365 CE) customization, Canvas App development, and Power Automate solutions. His skill set includes Azure Function and Azure Durable Function development, Logic Apps, and seamless integration of PCF components into Canvas Apps. With a deep understanding of Azure technologies and a strong background in developing tailored solutions for D365, Oleksandr brings a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to enterprise application development. He enjoys exploring new Microsoft solutions and shares his insights with the readers.
