Graphs and reports only go so far in visualizing service needs. Maps are required for this, and GIS mapping is the tool of choice. Businesses have complex data needs in their quest to improve market share, operations, and customer relations. Many large businesses use GIS software in-house, while many mid to small sized business rely on trained GIS consultants to apply this technology in their favor. Since business professionals love lists, I thought to break down the benefits and uses of GIS mapping into the following list.
- Visualize and analyze opportunities and risks
- Logistical planning: routes, locations, schedules
- Improve communication with professional and accurate maps and map analysis
- Data management: customers, demographics, inventory
- Find new customers and markets
- Define competitors markets and territories
- Share maps and data internally with project teams
- Identify and Evaluate locations for new stores or facilities
- Manage deliveries
- Analyze and present alternative project options
As you can tell, many of the uses directly translate into cost savings and potentially new profit opportunities. Of all of the business and real estate professional I know that have adopted the use of GIS have never looked back. Often, a manager will complain about a problem that his company can not get a handle on, then Bingo, the light bulb turns on when they hear what GIS can do for them. While the costs of implementing a full scale or enterprise wide GIS mapping solution may be more than a mid to small sized company is willing to invest in all at once, GIS mapping consultants make GIS more affordable and effective for business budgets, allowing them to apply GIS to resolve existing problems, and think about larger GIS implementation down the road. Either way, GIS mapping and analysis is a growing tool for many business and real estate professionals.