ESRI MapIt version 1.1 has been released with an improved user experience by redesigning the way controls look and feel and optimising the Web Part's performance.

The latest release includes new capabilities, enhancements, and functionality that allow users to better visualize the connection between tabular data and its geographic properties.

It also includes Microsoft Windows Azure and SQL Azure support for developing applications in the cloud.

MapIt is software plus online services that enable users to easily create and share dynamic maps from Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Excel, and SharePoint lists.

The new GeoList Web Part provides an interactive and multifunctional tabular view of SharePoint lists that have been added to an associated Map Web Part. With the GeoList Web Part, users can get tabular views for all the SharePoint lists in a Map Web Part, select list items in the table, and see them highlighted in the map instantly.

MapIt 1.1 also supports Windows Azure and Microsoft SQL Azure for developing high-availability and fault-tolerant applications in the cloud. The MapIt Spatial Data Service can connect to a SQL Azure database and be deployed as a cloud service in a Windows Azure Web role or in the Windows Azure software development kit's local development fabric.

A free 60-day evaluation of MapIt 1.1 is available to download.