Blog Archives - Page 13 of 25

How 3PL Companies Use Geospatial Data

Written on November 15, 2018. Posted in Blog, Other, Why Mapline.

In today’s global society, one product may travel by rail, ship, plane and truck to reach its destination. While globalization creates a more connected world, it also introduces complexities to supply chains. Supply chain managers must orchestrate multiple facilities, and they are responsible for countless interactions and dependencies. As a result, many rely on third party logistics companies for warehousing, monitoring, tracking, and tracing. Most 3PL providers use GPS and GIS systems for a real-time look into monitoring and managing supply chain deliveries. So, how does this impact operations for decision-makers? Here are a few ways 3PL companies leverage geographic insights through GIS logistics.

GIS: A Modern Tool for Modern Problems

For most supply chains and 3PL providers, geographic data is a tool that underlies all strategic decisions. At its core, a GIS tool is designed to store geographic data for further analysis, reporting, graphing and insight. It supplies a convenient way to manage spatial information visually—and uncover patterns or trends within data. Third party logistics companies use advanced GIS systems to achieve several goals for their supply chain clients, including:

Assisting with fleet management
Improving transportation communication
Tracking vehicle locations
Monitoring vehicle performance (e.g. condition of tires, fuel level)
Checking routes for driver safety
Monitoring inventory levels and shipping times
Optimizing on-hand supply levels

Companies that choose to ignore location-based data, or don’t use a 3PL who employs real-time GIS logistics, are risking big consequences. Inventory may go to waste, arrive late or not at all. Weather may cause delays, and without essential monitoring and tracking in place, supervisors can’t swiftly advise drivers on alternate routes. Without GIS logistics driving location-based analyses and decisions, 3PLs struggle to plan schedules and forecast costs.

Skillsets for Successful GIS Execution

It’s true—the right GIS technology helps 3PL professionals analyze the impact of location, weather and natural disasters near distribution hubs, departure and arrival times, and much more. However, efficient use of a geospatial data system requires in-depth knowledge in a variety of areas. To ensure your 3PL business is making the most of your current system or is well-equipped to adopt a new GIS mapping software, it’s important to assess employee readiness. Third party logistics employees can be trained in key fields to make the best use of a GIS system, such as:

Computer programming
Cartography
Visual design
System administration
Database management

By using a GIS system to its full potential, decision-makers can manage large datasets and achieve a holistic view that can improve activity and production across nearly every point in the supply chain. Are you interested in GIS mapping for your business? Learn more about GIS mapping and spatial analysis for supply chain management now.

The Importance of Adopting GIS for Education

Written on November 8, 2018. Posted in Blog, Other, Why Mapline.

Businesses worldwide recognize the usefulness of geography. Geography has applications in many professions, such as business, marketing, criminal justice, public administration and social work. Increasingly, companies want employees with experience in GIS technology. Job candidates can stand out by learning GIS concepts and obtaining valuable geographic skills in college alongside core classes like math and English. However, sometimes students and faculty members in business school, for example, feel too removed from geography and may misunderstand the value science can have when applied to business concepts. Professors who welcome spatial science into their curricula acknowledge the powerful way geography supports decision-making in the business world—and they impart critical, experiential opportunities on their students.

What Is GIS Used for in College?

With GIS, students learn to be strategic and connect spatial strategies to business principles. Creating maps that show audience demographics, practicing research and analysis, and delving into business information and spatial logistics—these are all essential GIS elements that, when applied in the higher education classroom and carried into a career, help students become strong decision-makers, analyzers, entrepreneurs and leaders.

How to Create a Heat Map

Written on October 18, 2018. Posted in Blog, Features and Training, Support, Use Case Scenarios.

What is a heat map and how can it help you dive deeper into your business analytics? A heat map is a color-coded representation of your data. Different color gradients represent various values and ultimately give you a clear snapshot of otherwise complex information. With Mapline, learning how to create a heat map from Excel spreadsheet data is easy. You can find out where customers, sales and marketing opportunities, or distribution centers are concentrated on a map. Follow these 8 simple steps to learn how to create a radial map:

Open your map.
Click the drop-down menu next to your dataset.
Select “Heat Map.”
Select whether you would like to apply the heat the area around the pins or the overlapping radius areas.
Define the radius (i.e. miles or kilometers).
Select whether you would like the heat map to be based on location density or the sum or average of your data.
Click on the “Styling” tab to set the opacity and blur. You can also remove the legend and fade the edges of the heat map.
Click “OK.”

Tips for Choosing a Geographic Heat Map Type

Not sure what type of heat map is best for you? Find out how to create a heat map that’s easy to read and represents your data clearly. Here are two ways you can determine your heat map selection.

1. Areas Around the Pins

Do you need to visualize pockets with high densities of customers? For example, a national textbook retail store may want to analyze neighborhoods within a 20-mile radius from local community colleges and universities. The “areas around pins” option is not only an efficient way to represent this data visually but also provides a big-picture view with a detailed look into large customer accounts or areas where many customers are located.

2. Overlapping Radius Areas

Are you a business that performs disaster recovery? Or, maybe you’re a planner scoping out your next office location or distribution center site. With the “overlapping radius areas” feature in Mapline, you can use heat mapping to visualize high-risk areas, report on performance by geographic areas, and choose optimal sites for anything from seminars and conferences to retail stores and more.

Start Building Radial Heat Maps With Mapline

Make data analysis simple by using a color gradient to contrast densely populated areas with less populated areas. Whether your dataset is customers, retail sites, location opportunities, competitors, or something else—you can create a clear picture. Ready to get started? Explore our plans and pricing. Or, contact us to learn more about how to create a geographic heat map and move your business insights forward.

Benefits of Petroleum and Pipeline GIS

Written on September 24, 2018. Posted in Blog, Use Case Scenarios.

Mapping and spatial analysis are increasingly essential components to the oil and gas industry. Decision-makers, planners and crew in the field can leverage geographic information in every phase of the extraction and delivery process. Here are three top ways GIS mapping and spatial analytics influence the oil and gas sector.

1. Oil and Gas Site Selection

GIS is a valuable tool for oil and gas site selection because it gives decision-makers a way to visually evaluate topography, geology, and analyze surface drilling constraints. With GIS mapping, companies and field operators can also overlay high-resolution imagery on site maps to assist with project selections and surveys.

How to Create a Map of Business Locations

Written on September 17, 2018. Posted in Blog, Features and Training, Support.

Choosing and monitoring business locations requires research, data and visibility. Jumpstart your own business location analysis when you leverage Mapline’s easy-to-use mapping tools. Need to map multiple locations on a map? No problem. Whether you need to plot potential retail sites, competitor locations or anything in between, Mapline is here to help. Follow these 8 steps to learn how to map multiple locations on a map:

How to Create a Territory Map

Written on September 10, 2018. Posted in Blog, Features and Training, Support.

Territory mapping brings your data to life—whether your boundary lines are by state, county, zip code, area code or something in between. When you visualize your data, you can uncover geographic trends affecting your business. Clear, easy-to-read visualizations ensure you always have a pulse on insights. Ready to take your spreadsheet data to the next level with Mapline? Follow these 8 simple steps to learn how to create a territory map:

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