As a MapBusinessOnline subscriber, once you’ve imported a location-based dataset into the application, there are many things you can do with the data.
Not to be underemphasized, viewing a new dataset against a business map can be very informative. The application places dots or small colored circles on the map upon import. Map creators can immediately adjust the symbol-set applied, color, and size. In Map and Data, hover over that data layer and click the Edit Layer Properties gear. You will find adjustments for symbol, size, and color in the opening panel. Go nuts.
Assisted Living Centers – Find Location Data that supports your map project
Review your imported dataset against the background map. Look for clusters, outliers, and inaccurate location placements. Remember, garbage-in garbage-map. When importing data:
- Use full addressing for the most accurate point placements.
- For latitude longitude imports, make sure the formatting is correct.
- Ensure the ZIP codes assigned are valid or don’t use only ZIP codes.
Read about how to import business datasets into MapBusinessOnline.
Read about editing imported data here.
EV Charging Stations Heat Map View
Symbolize and Color-code Your Data Imports
With your data imported and initially viewed for accuracy, consider color-coding the symbols assigned. Click the Color-code Symbols button on the master toolbar.
- Review the symbol options in the symbol library. Try symbol options and adjust sizes and colors.
- Consider importing your symbols.
- Think about which column of your imported data would make the most informative color-coding scheme.
You do also have the option to color-code by circle. This approach provides a few advantages over the more common color-code by symbol style:
- Circles offer a more comprehensive range of sizes and color gradations.
- Circles allow numeric labels on the circle.
As you import more datasets to your business map, you may find using different symbolizing methods for the differing imported layers. Think about which datasets layers provide play the most critical role in supporting your map’s purpose. That layer should get top billing on your map with the most outstanding color-code scheme.
Remember to limit your imported data layers to only those layers that add value to the map. Too many data layers encourage the aforementioned garbage map.
Demographic Data – Female-Headed Households No Husband
Keep in mind; you always have the option of leaving one layer altogether, one symbol, and one color. Applying one symbol of one color might be the best option for a high-volume, low-value point layer.
Remember adding datasets to your map creates a Map Legend object over the map. Be sure to optimize your map legend and make sure it helps your map sign. Read more about map legend editing.
Filter that Data
Data filtering supports business maps that solve specific problems. MapBusinessOnline is a geographic database management tool laid over a world map. As such, the business map user can filter any imported data layers.
For instance, call-center maps show technicians where all like data points exist to provide service options for customers who call in. “Let me see what I’ve got. Yes. I see six different locations for hard drive repair in your area. What’s your address, and I’ll send you the contact info for the closest shop?”
Data filtering in MapBusinessOnline allows users to create subset data layers of their imported data. Map creators use subset datasets for a variety of purposes:
- For optimized vehicle routing.
- For export and use outside of the application.
- For additional mapping queries – driving time and distance analysis, proximity searches, and more complex mapping.
- For daily or weekly fieldwork.
Read more about location-based dataset filtering in MapBusinessOnline.
With data imported into a business map:
What Else Can You Do with Location Data in MapBusinessOnline?
- Export route files in GPX format. GPX formats are used in portable navigation devices for route sharing.
- View the distribution of customers on a map for analysis in:
- Expansion planning.
- Insurance claim investigations.
- Territory assignments.
- Retail store planning.
- Trade show planning.
- Strategic planning.
- Create resource maps. Import collected location points of critical resources. These resources could be:
- Billboards.
- Construction sites.
- Dog parks.
- Hospitals.
- Restaurants.
- Vaccination sites.
- Telephone poles.
- Town public water access points,
- Import and visualize any set of field-collected location data to consider related impacts:
- Crime sites – murders, robberies, and insurrections.
- Real estate locations for investor analysis.
- Traffic data collection points.
- Trash collection activity sites.
My point is that location data is all around us, an ongoing fact of life now. Like anything else, location resources are a Google search away. Find these datasets and use them for your business projects. There’s gold in them, there location points. (Grammarly hates that last sentence.)
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Find out why over 25,000 business users log into www.MapBusinessOnline.com for their business mapping software and advanced sales territory mapping solution. The best replacement for Microsoft MapPoint happens to be the most affordable.
To access MapBusinessOnline, please register and then download the Map App from the website – https://www.mapbusinessonline.com/App-Download.aspx.
After installing the Map App, the MapBusinessOnline launch button will be in the Windows Start Menu or Mac Application folder. Find the MapBusinessOnline folder in the Start Menu scrollbar. Click the folder’s dropdown arrow and choose the MapBusinessOnline option.
The Map App includes the Map Viewer app for free non-subscriber map sharing.
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Contact: Geoffrey Ives at geoffives@spatialteq.com or Jason Henderson at jhenderson@spatialteq.com
