Start using GIS in 7 easy steps

Youve heard of Geographic Information System (GIS) software, and you know that you want to leverage the insights that it can bring your business. The only thing standing in your way is knowing how to get started. Follow these 7 easy steps and youll find it easy to use GIS software like an expert.

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Decide which questions youd like to answer

The key to successful data analysis is understanding what you want to investigate. Make a list of questions youd like to answer for example: What is the geographical spread of our customer base? Which areas have the highest concentration of young families? Are our delivery routes vulnerable if motorways or highways are closed?

Identify the data required to answer those questions

Once you know the questions you want to ask, think about the data you need to analyse in order to answer them.

You should consider both internal and external data sources: for example, customer and asset data are available internally; census and demographic data, or data like speed camera or traffic light locations are available externally. You may need to buy some data externally, although government bodies and large organisations are increasingly making their data freely available. If youre not sure where to find data, ask your GIS software provider for advice.

Gather & format the data

The next step is to gather all your data. Ensure that each dataset contains the information you need, and decide if you need to format the data.

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You might want to format your data if: It uses specialist terminology that wont make sense to your audience (in this case, replace it with terminology that makes sense to your audience). It uses unclear or obscure labels or categories (replace these with labels or categories that are clear and unambiguous). Different data sets use different measures for example, different currencies. In this case you dont just want to change the labels you need to convert the values to your preferred measure.

Success with GIS software relies in part on clear, well-formatted data. In some instances, the labels or categories will translate directly into the GIS software so take time to make sure that theyre clear and easily understood.

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Create a map & upload your data

Once you have all your data clearly and correctly formatted, its time to log into your GIS software.

Your first step is to create a map. Choose a base map layer, and zoom in to the area youll be working in. Once you have your base map ready, its time to upload your data into your GIS software. This should be a relatively quick, easy process although very large or complex files will take more time to process.

Create queries that match your list of questions

Queries allow you to display different attributes of your data. To successfully create your queries, go back to your initial list of questions, and break down what you need to show to answer each question.

You may need to create multiple queries to answer a single question. For example, if the question is What is the age and gender breakdown in areas where we have retail stores?, you need to create the following queries: To show all your retail stores.

eSpatial Inc. 2325 Dulles Corner Boulevard, Suite 500, Herndon, VA, USA 20171 Ph: +1 202 552 1545

eSpatial Solutions EMEA Second Floor, Block A1, East Point Business Park, Fairview, Dublin 3, Ireland. Ph: +353 1 870 8800 | Fax: +353 1 870 8899 | UK: +44 845 6001472

To show age demographic data. To show gender demographic data.

Each individual query creates a layer of data, which displays on the map. To answer the question above, you create 3 queries, which results in 3 layers of data. When you view all 3 layers of data simultaneously, you have the answer to your question.

Style the output

Part of creating a query is styling the output that is, selecting icons and colours to clearly display your results.

When you create your queries you will make an initial selection but in order to ensure that your results are displayed as clearly as possible, take time to view each layer of data, as well as the multiple layers displayed together, to ensure that your selections are clear and attractive. You may wish to use corporate colours for particular analyses or even to upload your own icons that more clearly indicate the meaning of certain points.

Examine the results, create reports and share the results

Youre almost finished! Now that your data has been formatted, uploaded, styled and displayed on a map, youre ready to share your results.

Depending on the data youre working with and the composition of your audience, a map may be sufficient or you may want to create additional visual aids for analysis, like pie charts. Working with your results is easy. Depending on the functionality available in your GIS software, you can: - Work from your map and charts in your GIS software. Share your layers and queries with colleagues. Publish your results to a portal, for internal or external use (or both). Export and print your results for offline analysis and discussion.

eSpatial Inc. 2325 Dulles Corner Boulevard, Suite 500, Herndon, VA, USA 20171 Ph: +1 202 552 1545

eSpatial Solutions EMEA Second Floor, Block A1, East Point Business Park, Fairview, Dublin 3, Ireland. Ph: +353 1 870 8800 | Fax: +353 1 870 8899 | UK: +44 845 6001472

About eSpatial OnDemand GIS

eSpatial OnDemand GIS combines the latest innovations in software delivery and usability with the traditional performance of in-house GIS, over the web. eSpatial OnDemand GIS is an affordable, predictable, and scalable web GIS offering which provides an ideal enterprise grade hosted services delivery platform for geospatial applications.

About eSpatial
eSpatial is a leading provider of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and a pioneer in the provision of location intelligence delivered via Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Our flagship product, eSpatial OnDemand GIS, is the worlds first full-function available via SaaS delivery. It combines the latest innovations in software delivery and usability with the traditional performance of in-house GIS, over the web. We are proud to work with leading technology partners such as Oracle, NAVTEQ and Digital Globe; and to count many leading organisations amongst our global customer base. eSpatial is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Email: info@espatial.com Website: www.espatial.com

eSpatial Inc. 2325 Dulles Corner Boulevard, Suite 500, Herndon, VA, USA 20171 Ph: +1 202 552 1545

eSpatial Solutions EMEA Second Floor, Block A1, East Point Business Park, Fairview, Dublin 3, Ireland. Ph: +353 1 870 8800 | Fax: +353 1 870 8899 | UK: +44 845 6001472