Archived GIS Snippets
Published in 2013
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How Business Intelligence and GIS are becoming more integrated
by James Mandrid
Most people may think of geographic information systems (GIS) simply as Google maps or the navigation system for their car, but GIS tools do a lot more than help people get from A to B. Businesses are adding a spatial dimension to data to help make critical decisions in this tough economy.
We recently interviewed Yellowfin CEO Glen Rabie to find out more about this topic and why Yellowfin Business Intelligence with spatial data is so much more than just Google Maps.
Q. How does GIS integrated with BI differ from the traditional GIS approach?
A. A typical spatial specialists approach to GIS data is that it is about land use – and the optimization of that – where to put that next store. Well on the one hand that is true and there is a place for stand-alone GIS apps to do just that, but the power of GIS is far greater. Land use changes – where you put a store or a branch today may not be that ideal in 5 years time – however what action can you take based upon your now relatively fixed network. How do you market to the changing landscape of customers and attract them to your store, how do you optimize the distribution channel that you have, how do you accurately compare one stores performance with another based on customer catchment segment analysis not necessarily proximity (still a spatial question believe it or not). This is the greater reality of GIS data and the massive potential it has for improving business performance.
Q. What are some of the newer and more innovative ways in which businesses are using GIS data beyond traditional niches?
A. When you think of GIS traditionally you think of government and urban planning. The major application in the private sector to date has been logistics. However, this is changing. One of the key uses of GIS is store/branch/dealer location. A great partner of ours eSite does just that – but there is a whole lot more. The most compelling is the use of spatial data for optimizing marketing campaigns.
Understanding the demographics of your desired customer and where they are located is critical if you want to maximize the return on your marketing dollar. Its not just about being able to target them but also understanding what the likely-hood of them accessing your channel is – especially if it is a bricks and mortar channel. What’s the drive time? etc. Jet Interactive a partner of ours has a fantastic use of Yellowfin spatial. They use the spatial analytic capability of Yellowfin to provide 0800, 1300 call information. By tracking incoming calls Jet Interactive can overlay not the location of the call but all the demographic breakdown of the locations population. This is a highly valuable service to their customers who can now accurately measure the effectiveness of response rates to phone campaigns from a spatial perspective.
Q. How is GIS being integrated with traditional business Intelligence?...continued here.
first published week of: 08/27/2012
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New Century Software Releases Centerline Design Toolkit
Oil & gas operators mapping their centerline are using Centerline Design Toolkit to expand Esri ArcMap functionality and simplify tasks associated with linear referencing
New Century Software released a new product suite that streamlines the process of creating a pipeline centerline and simplifies the tasks associated with linear referencing. Centerline Design Toolkit is a robust and easy-to-implement Esri ArcMap extension that adds to the already large portfolio of software products tailored to help oil and gas operators increase the accuracy and integrity of GIS pipeline data.
Centerline Design Toolkit consists of a number of individual tools for viewing and creating linear data. These tools simplify common tasks that can be difficult to perform with complex geo-processing work flows, such as connecting GPS points to create a line, assigning 2D or 3D measures, and generating events with stationing. All of these tasks are necessary and now achievable in less time with this toolkit. This product is highly flexible, providing a robust set of tools for performing complicated operations, yet it’s easy to install and use without formal training.
One of the main features within this toolkit is the Centerline Constructor. The tool can generate the measure of a polyline from a variety of vertices sources, including survey features, ILI inspection, and existing centerline data. Vertices from existing ArcGIS feature layers can also be used. Centerline Constructor also allows users to measure by distance or attribute. This tool intersects the centerline layer with points, lines, and polygons to show the in and out stationing. This is often useful when mapping township/section/range, counties, or high consequence areas.
“We have been listening to the industry and to what operators are struggling with,” says Todd Porter, VP of Business Development at New Century Software. He continues, “there are certain tasks that Operators must be able to perform with little to no impact on their internal resources. Centerline Design Toolkit will improve the GIS analyst productivity and simplify the training process.”
Another feature of Centerline Design Toolkit is Station Locator. Station Locator is an ArcGIS-based tool that allows users to quickly identify pipeline stationing in ArcMap. Station Locator lets users easily obtain specific location information, such as measure, series, station, and x/y coordinate information, for any location along a pipeline. Station Locator works with pipeline data stored in a personal geo–database or ArcSDE. Additional features of Centerline Design Toolkit include:
- Event Generator. Calculate station and measure from other geographic features along the centerline, and quickly generate these events. Includes pre-configured templates such as Routing Notes used to report deflection angles, which is useful to engineers. Users will find a huge time saving when a change in the route occurs and they can produce updated sheets quickly.
- Centerline Validator. Evaluate the centerline against the symmetry of the pipeline to ensure the integrity of the centerline. For example, identify duplicate measures.
- Centerline Filter. Automatically limit features displayed on the map according to a defined filter (query) for currently selected routes.
first published week of: 01/02/2012
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10 Amazing Google Earth and Maps Discoveries
by Matt Petronzio
Today, it’s easy to be an explorer — all you need is a computer, access to satellite technology and a sense of adventure. Google makes it even simpler with Google Earth and Google Maps, letting you travel virtually to any place in the world with just a click of your mouse.
Even though the average person can use these services to explore the planet, researchers and other scientific professionals use Google Earth and Google Maps as preliminary tools to analyze areas around the globe, uncovering some pretty amazing things we’ve never seen before.
Rebecca Moore, engineering manager of Google Earth Outreach, recently spoke at Mashable’s 2012 Social Good Summit about the power of these tools, which include 80 million kilometers of road data, 3D terrains and 20 petabytes of satellite imagery.
“There’s a very interesting experiment going on right now,” she said. “What happens when you put in the hands of the world, for free, the most accurate, comprehensive, detailed, realistic replica of the planet that has ever existed?”
The answer is manyfold, but one thing’s for sure — the discoveries are limitless.
Check out the gallery for some truly awe-inspiring discoveries that researchers, archaelogists and satellite explorers have made throughout the past decade.
Thumbnail image courtesy of Google, YouTube video.
first published week of: 10/01/2012
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10 Steps to Creating a Great Geocaching Event
by Eric Edmonds
Step 1 – - Check out www.geocaching.com to read about/sign up/ and find the geocaches currently in/near your geocaching event. You should also read “Cache Listing Requirements and Guidelines.”
Step 2 – - Using a GPS find the geocaches near the location of your geocaching event. You could use them in your event and/or make sure that you’re caches aren’t close to those already hidden.
- Register for a free basic membership at www.geoaching.com?
- Click “Hide & Seek a Cache.”
- Enter the postal code of your event
- choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
- Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS device.
- Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
Step 3 — Continued here
first published week of: 09/17/2012
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10 Years of Aqua Satellite's Incredible Images of Earth From Space
The view of Earth from space has transformed our understanding of, as well as our admiration for, the planet. The data and images collected by Earth–observing satellites have been used in thousands of scientific papers, helped us better respond to natural disasters, improved weather and climate forecasts, enlightened us about our impact on Earth and captivated us with beauty.
One of the stars of NASA’s fleet of satellites is Aqua. The satellite is named for its ability to measure water vapor in the atmosphere, water in the oceans, as well as ice and snow. When it was launched on May 4, 2002, scientists expected it to work for three to five years. But its six instruments have been functioning perfectly for 10 years, gathering 29 million gigabytes of data in that time.
One of the most useful and impressive instruments aboard Aqua is the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, which measures visible and infrared radiation, and produces truly amazing, incredibly beautiful images of Earth. We’ve chosen some of our favorite MODIS images for this gallery in celebration of a decade of work. With funding for Earth–observing satellites on the decline, let’s hope Aqua keeps going for 10 more years.
first published week of: 05/07/2012
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11 Best Google Maps Tips and Tricks You Should Learn
Google Maps is the most powerful online mapping tool you can find on the Web. It allows you to easily find the location of destination and get the right driving direction, you can even discover places in the other part of the world.
The online map service has been around for years and Google continues to improve the maps by rolling out many cool features such as 3D street views, turn-by-turn navigation, map makers, real-time traffic condition and more. In today’s post, we would like to show you 11 really useful tips and tricks helping you to get the most out of Google Maps!
How to Use Google MapsGL for 3D Maps
Google MapsGL allows you to view 3D-graphic maps on browser without the need to install additional software. It provides smooth transitions between different levels of imagery and map views. Some of the breakthrough improvements include 3D buildings in Map view mode and 45 degree aerial imagery, smooth transitions between zoom levels and 45 degree aerial view rotations, and ‘swoop’ quickly from the map view to street view imagery.
Installing Google Earth Plug-in
Google Earth is an incredibly cool plug-in you must install as it helps you to navigate and explore places on a 3D globe in a fly-over tour. The software shares the same road, landmark, and border data on Google Maps.
Using Google Maps to Guide You to the Location You Want
Another useful feature provided by Google Maps is being able to guide you to the destination you want. All you have to do is press the “Get Directions” button and then enter your departure point. If you are using GPS enabled smartphone, you may allow Google Maps to determine your current location. Once you’ve set both departure and destination locations, Google Maps will propose you the correct route guiding you to the destination regardless you want to drive, take public transit, bike or even walk.
Suggesting Alternative Routes
If you want to avoid certain streets on your way, simply drag the proposed route around to get the alternative driving direction. The travel time will also be adjusted accordingly.
Sweeping 360 Degree View of a Single Point continued here
first published week of: 10/15/2012