Location Intelligence Blog » GIS

MapInfo Professional® Online 30-Day Trial Evaluation Available!

Jessica Krokowski — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:06:29 +0000

After many months of engineering work, the latest release of MapInfo Professional v10.5 has been delivered to Production. Benefits include faster map creation and editing, new ways of sharing dynamic output for greater insight, and data connectivity using industry-standard data servers from around the world.

The online 30-Day Trial Evaluation of MapInfo Professional v10.5 is now available on the PBBI website. Visit: http://www.pbinsight.com/support/product-downloads/for/mapinfo-professional

MapInfo Professional v10.5 — providing the power of location!

PBBI German GIS Days, June 8th and 9th: “GIS goes process”

Jessica Krokowski — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:53:30 +0000

Take the opportunity to meet with German Pitney Bowes Business Insight (PBBI) industry specialists and technology experts at the GIS Days on June 8th and 9th in Hotel Maritim, Frankfurt/Main. The program will be targeting Public sector users with a focus on INSPIRE on June 8^th and Private sector users on June 9^th: GIS has a key role to play, which requires a greater focus on the citizen/customer and greater efficiency in data sharing. The market has emerged to create a mixed economy in GIS alongside traditional official and copyrighted data sources. See how PBBIs portfolio can support your work on data creation, analysis, metadata and sharing. Our customers will showcase best practices that demonstrate that GIS is no longer an optional, specialized field: it forms part of mainstream communications and information policy across all areas of an organization: GIS goes process!

This casual environment allows customers to meet and network on a 1:1 basis with individuals who have firsthand knowledge of their markets, business needs and challenges.

Specific products to be showcased:

Sneak preview of MapInfo Professional v10.5
Crime Profiler
Stratus
MapInfo Developer products
The Pitney Bowes Spectrum Technology Platform
Data Products including Data as a Service
Geocoding

Partner solutions from: AGIS GmbH, BTFIETZ – Gesellschaft für kommunales Geomanagement mbH, CISS TDI, DataGis GmbH, DDS Digital Data Services GmbH, IVU Traffic Technologies AG

MapInfo Professional v10.5 Reads and Accesses Metadata!

Jessica Krokowski — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:01:43 +0000

In addition to sharing maps across the enterprise and via the cloud, MapInfo Professional v10.5 enables users to access even more data and services thanks to a Metadata Browser. Users will be able to search and open map files by only typing in a few keywords, making it easier to find the data they need. With the Metadata browser, organizations using MapInfo Professional can also connect to any publicly hosted data catalog.

The newest version will support the OCG Catalog Services Web (CSW) and also include features to help European customers meet INSPIRE requirements. Finally, MI Pro 10.5 enables you to connect to a catalog that your organization hosts. With MapInfo Professional and PBBI’s offerings, users will be able to set up and populate an internal or external searchable catalog.

Remember to check back here, or follow us on twitter to get more updates on MapInfo Professional v10.5!

Getting on the Same Map

Jessica Krokowski — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:00:11 +0000

By Chris McCartney, Global Product Manager – Stratus

Consumers have become increasingly dependent on mapping applications ever since MapQuest went online in 1996. Today, maps are incorporated into search engines, company Web sites and according to a recent Forrester survey, nearly a third of North American adults own their own map-driven navigation device.

Developers took full advantage of open source technology when code for Google Maps API became available in 2005. The simplicity of Google and alternatives such as Bing Maps made it easy for organizations to provide customers with simple, intuitive Web-based mapping services.

Meanwhile, managers in back-office operations shied away from these basic mapping tools because they simply could not support the complex data crunching and spatial analysis necessary to make smart business decisions. Business-focused solutions (such as our own MapInfo Professional) delivered the advanced location intelligence and predictive analytics necessary to underwrite risk, design networks and plan retail expansions.

More recently, however, new technology has closed the gap between consumer simplicity and back-office sophistication – giving companies the ability to leverage common mapping applications that can handle the heavy lifting with a smile.

From a customer relationship point of view, this adds a much-needed level of consistency. Now, information presented on Web sites can reflect the realities of how a company operates. Making such accurate, up-to-date mapping and spatial analysis available to consumers helps increase confidence and satisfaction. From an efficiency point of view, the ability to access a centralized database helps improve data quality and eliminate unnecessary redundancies.

Consider this real-life example: after a hurricane, one UK insurance company experienced a wave of claims—some of which fell outside the path of the storm. Rather than alienate customers with flat-out denials, the company updated their Web mapping using GIS information that geocoded the exact path of the hurricane. They applied a generous buffer zone, which eliminated any chance of error and invited claimants to double check themselves whether they really wanted to submit that claim. With the ability to see the same information that underwriters saw, many decided to “unsubmit” their request – saving the company time, money and hassles.

What’s special about these new technologies? Plenty. First, they are driven by the same sophisticated spatial analysis engines that companies have relied on for their most important decisions. Through RIA and tiling, they offer an intuitive, out-of-the box experience that is as simple and stylish as any of the consumer-driven apps. Built using open-source technology, developers can easily add to and adapt these solutions without the risks of a pure home-grown application.

So, are you interested in getting on the same map with you customers? For more insights, check out the recap from our recent Stratus RIA Workshop. We look forward to your thoughts…