This was referred to by t-info GmbH in a press release. t-info runs the local search engine suchen.de, which delivers the search results for Live Maps.  Microsoft, according to t-info, decided to collaborate with suchen.de after an exhaustive evaluation phase.  Their reasons for this decision included the high quality of the search results.

Suchen.de delivers both the address of undertakings or service providers, as well as links their  websites. Of further interest is that the user can find the operator, not only under the branch categorization, but also under product description or category.  This works with many search requests and is in the process of being improved.  The search technology of suchen.de is in the process of being patented, according to t-info.

Microsoft’s new service is only accessible at the moment under maps.live.de oder auskunft.msn.de.  In the course of this autumn (2007), the undertaking anticipates integrating this new function under a tab “Maps” in the “Live Search” pages, reports t-info.