• 4.9 update of SoftMap Plus is now available for free by download to all license owners of SoftMap Plus; this update includes the new tool Elevation profile: import into SoftMap a database* of elevation data in DEM format and display the altitude of all points between 2 selected points.
  *(available for free at http://www.geobase.ca/geobase/fr/data/cded1.html)
  
• 4.9 update of SoftMap GPS : now compatible with Garmin receivers using a USB connection.
  
• 4.9 update of SoftMap Pro is now available for free by download; this update includes the new tool Elevation profile and the new version of SoftMap GPS.

• Forest Roads 2005: SoftMap is proud to announce that it will develop and publish in April 2005, a new product in association with Nippour-Géomatique of Saguenay. This product will be available as a database that will be displayed on SoftMap background maps like Québec topo20, Québec topo50, Québec topo250, Québec Chasse et Pêche. Sold exclusively on its Website and requiring Internet access to be installed, Forest Roads 2005 will cover different regions and will sell for 14.95$ per region. The first 2 regions to be published in April 2005 will be:
• Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean
• Côte-Nord
  
• The 2005 updates of the address databases included in Québec topo20 are now available. If you own a license of a Québec topo20 product, you can download at no charge the address update of the volume that you have bought. You only need to have registered your product and to visit the SoftMap Website to complete the download.

• SoftMap Nature is a line of product published in the first years of SoftMap and at the time used the version 3 of our software. This version is no more supported and is not compatible with the new Microsoft operating systems like Windows 2000 and XP. Wishing to help the owners of such products to cross over to our new generation of products like Québec topo20, we offer a special 20% discount applicable in our online boutique to all Québec topo20 volumes. You only need to send us an email (info@softmaptech.com) giving us your name and the serial number of your SoftMap Nature product. We will send you by return a promotion code that you will be able to use in 2005 for all your purchases in our boutique.
  
• Training: would you like to learn to use the multiple functions available in SoftMap Plus, Pro or GPS? We regularly organize small groups in Quebec City and we offer personalized training, adapted to your needs. 75$ for 3 hours. If interested, send us your name at info@softmaptech.com

SoftMap is proud to announce a major development of its activities: Avenir Plus, a private corporation located in Brioude, France, has selected the SoftMap technology to create a new line of products under the trademark EVASION NATURE. The first product covers the Rhône-Alpes region and is entitled Les Alpes. It is on the shelves of the distributors since March 18, 2005; see http://www.guidevasion.com. SoftMap has engineered some major developments of its technology for this new line of products:

• Internet link allows the online download as the user navigates of maps at a scale unavailable on the CD-ROM;
• Possibility of subscribing to maps in an specified area and to download them online as they are required by the user including updates;
• Addition of an elevation profile tool to display the altitude of an area or region;
• Addition of trips allowing the user to follow an itinerary prepared by professionals, and to export such trips to a GPS receiver or exchange his own routes with fellow users in GPS databases format.
• And many others that will be included in the new version 5 of SoftMap to be published soon.