Assignment on GIS Software and its practical Implementation

            Geographic Information System (GIS) is a kind of data visualization software which is designed to store, retrieve, manage, display, and analyse various type of geographic and spatial data. You can use this software to create maps and other graphic displays which relates to geographic information for analysis and presentation. GIS is also helpful in decision making because you can present information in a visual style which is easy to comprehend then just curves and numbers. It acts as a decision support system for the organization. GIS essentially collects data on geographical features and characteristics and classifies them as points, lines areas or raster images. For example, data of a city can be visualized on a map in form of points, data of roads could be shown as lines, boundaries can be shown as areas and drone photos of areas can be stored as raster images.

            GIS works by storing data using spatial guides that in turn enables the identification of the geographies located in an arbitrary region of a map. It can rapidly recognize and map all the locations in a specified radius of a point. It can also map all the streets that comes in a territory. Integration off a GIS is a difficult and involves many processes. There are many factors that should be considered before the implementation of GIS software such as user base, finance, accuracy required and which area of interest we are targeting. There are multiple GIS solutions available according to the need of your organization. When implanting GIS, you should keep in mind the needs of the end users. You should look at the pros and cons of the software before implementation. You should first analyse what your requirements are then according to those requirements choose a GIS software. It will reduce cost of operations and you can meet client requirements in an effective manner. For smooth integration of software with your organization you should choose GIS software that is built upon open database platform (Dempsey, 2008).

The GIS software can be categorized in two broad categories:

·         Commercial GIS Solutions

·         Open Source GIS

Commercial GIS Solutions: Commercial GIS software applications are available for organizations that require mapping and spatial analysis functions on their desktop computers. Some of the popular Commercial GIS software include AGISMap, Autodesk, Maptitude, MapInfo, Ortelius, Manifold, Intergraph, Cartographica etc.

Open Source GIS: An open source software or application is one in which you can freely make modifications in the source code according to your needs. These are typically managed by communities of programmers who are passionate about the software. Open source GIS software’s are based on open source languages like C, Java and .NET. There is also an open source web mapping-based GIS solution available which include OpenLayers, Mapfish, MapServer, MapGuide, OpenWebGIS and MapBuilder which are being widely used due to their ease of use and accessibility. Some of the popular open source GIS software include FlowMap, GMT Mapping Tools, GRASS, MAPWindow GIS, OpenJUMP GIS, QGIS, SPRING, TNTLite, Udig GIS etc.

Maptitude Mapping Software: Maptitude is one of the most popular GIS software available in the market. It gives you tools, maps, and demographic data for analysing how geography affects your business model. Maptitude helps you in organizing customer, employee, sales, warehouse and territorial data and visualizes the data for you for easy decision making. You can assess large amounts of data with ease. It helps you in locating unearth geographic patterns concealed in your data and visualizes the information in an organized manner. You can use this tool to enhance desktop mapping and spatial analysis. It can:

·         Pinpointed exactly where your target audience is

·         Visualize where the sales are at their peak

·         Help in finding out hidden opportunities

·         Help find geographic patterns and trends that wouldn’t be possible through database tables and spreadsheets

·         Help you in finding out anomalies that can impact your business operations

Maptitude GIS software is equipped with multiple features that are not found on many GIS software. It offers easy desktop mapping functionality and editing functionalities.

CKE Restaurant Holdings Inc. Implementation of Maptitude

            CKE Restaurants Holdings is the parent company of popular fast food chains Hardee’s, Green Burrito and Red Burrito. Managing franchises in different territories around the world is a difficult task. There is huge amount of data coming from all locations that needs to be analysed and processed. To tackle this situation CKE implemented Maptitude GIS software into its organization to effectively manage territories and their allocation. It also helped them in gaining trust of franchisee through providing useful information increasing the rate of success. (Caliper, n.d.)

Challenges: One of the major challenges in managing a franchising business is to handle territorial disputes where your franchise is located near too another franchise or competitor creating cannibalization. In order to avoid this type of situation expulsive rights are purchased by the franchisee to operate in the area and no other brand can set up a shop with same business model.

Solution: Maptitue GIS solution by Caliper Corporation helped CKE to effectively manage their location-based data and to visualize that data in a single map. Due to efficient territorial management CKE was able to achieve three key objectives:

·         What capacity will be needed for each franchisee territory

·         Which areas will be effective for establishing a franchise with maximum output?

·         Effective and precise franchisee location evaluation

In short, Maptitude enabled CKE to effectively develop its business on multiple locations throughout the world.

Benefits Achieved: Maptitude provided tools to CKE to develop franchise territories including their demographics, customer data and geocoding of address and its validation.

·         For areas which are culmination of different smaller areas pose a challenge to identify postal zones, neighbourhoods, and other regions. Maptitude helps in organizing these confined demographics providing information in finding out optimal territory for franchisee.

·         It also helped in providing maps to CKE franchisees that identify the market trade areas that are most suitable for the franchisee. This helps in maximizing profit by reducing risks associated with the territory and improve market dispersion.

Future Assessments: Maptitude also enabled CKE in making future location decisions and which are to target in the future.

·         Maptitude powerful geographic mapping tools helped analysing data to make long term strategies.

·         CKE used Maptitude to determine future restaurant locations that provide developmental benefits and growth in revenue.

·         Assign areas to franchisees within their territories without interruption from competition.

·         Matching the franchisee potential and growth interests with the restaurant of a market area

Analytical Tool for Real Estate: Maptitute is an effective tool for real estate allocation. Its geographic analysis tools help in allocating right area for your franchise. CKE used these powerful features to mange their locations throughout the world. They used the analytical tools to evaluate available real estate properties and make strategies accordingly. CKE can also analyse the franchises that are closed and available for acquisition.

Conclusion of GIS Software and its practical Implementation

            In conclusion we can say that GIS software is a great tool for visualizing data and make effective decisions. It helps in processing large amount of geographical data and gives pointers for easy understanding. It can greatly help organization which have franchise business model and they need to manage their locations all around the world. In todays day and age when technology is advancing at a rapid rate an organization also needs to make use of latest technologies to remain competitive. That’s where data visualization software comes in and helps organization in achieving their goals.

References of GIS Software and its practical Implementation

Caliper. (n.d.). How CKE Grew their Business with Maptitude. Retrieved from https://www.caliper.com/map-software/case-studies/how-cke-grew-their-business-with-maptitude.htm

Dempsey, C. (2008, September 21). Implementing GIS. Retrieved from https://www.gislounge.com/implementation-of-a-gis/