Microsoft announced today it has acquired UK mapping firm Multimap for an undisclosed sum.

The purchase gives Microsoft location and mapping technology that sits beside its existing offerings such as Virtual Earth, Live Search, Windows Live services, MSN and the aQuantive advertising platform. In addition the software giant said the deal offered "future integration potential" for a range of other Microsoft products and platforms.

Sharon Baylay, general manager of the Online Services Group at Microsoft, said: “This acquisition will play a significant role in the future growth of our search business and presents a huge opportunity to expand our platform business beyond the UK and globally.”

Multimap will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft, as part of the Virtual Earth and Search teams in the Online Services Group.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.