Print.IT Reseller - issue 51

PRINT IT RESELLER.UK SOFTWARE 31 MapInfo Pro v17 and its application The new software release enables companies to extend the benefits of location intelligence across their organisation, weaving in an extra layer of insight to a profile or business, minimising risk by helping them understand the answer to the question of ‘Where?’ “Consider insurance firms, for example, needing to pinpoint the areas most prone to flooding or fire risk, for more accurate underwriting; or mobile phone companies wanting to identify areas of low signal, to drive better planning and investment decisions,” Taylor said. “Or real estate companies calculating drive times to shops; schools to boost their property marketing and retailers needing to know areas of highest footfall at certain times of the day, so they reduce risk when opening new stores,” he added. MapInfo Pro v17 is completely orientated toward enabling the user to perform analytics and deliver insights more intuitively than ever. Users can quickly and efficiently process, visualise and analyse vast amounts of geospatial data – either generated across their own organisations or using Pitney Bowes’ powerful, accurate data sets – incorporating mapping, editing and layer- control enhancements. New and existing users alike find it easier to generate compelling maps, advanced analytics and drive better business outcomes. Users can: n Enrich traditional data quality with enhanced contextual information such as a location, including the name of a specific place, or demographics; n Analyse data more effectively with advanced spatial analysis that drives informed, insight-driven business decisions; and n Visualise key data on maps to make deep analysis and insight-sharing easier and more effective than ever before. Streamlined user experience Since its inception, MapInfo Pro has become a staple part of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) professional’s toolkit. The changes and enhancements, built on recommendations from the community, have led MapInfo Pro v17 to its evolution into a universally accessible business tool, designed to deliver a streamlined user experience. “Channel partners have seen great success selling previous versions of this software,” said Taylor. “Their clients love it and they appreciate the specialised knowledge partners bring to its delivery. The new release extends its appeal beyond the realms of the GIS professional into strategic business application, giving partners fresh opportunities to engage with both new and existing clients.” Richard Cantwell, Senior GIS Consultant with Dublin-headquartered solutions partner Gamma, is an evangelist for software. “This is the easiest to use version of MapInfo ever,” he said. “MapInfo Pro v17 now includes the ability to create drive-time zones and carry out geocoding without the need to install any third-party software or any steep upfront charges.” He continued: “Geocoding coverage is typically to building level across almost 200 countries, while drive-times can be easily calculated from new or existing map objects. The system works off credits and every user is given a free monthly allowance, more than enough to test the waters.” GIS Consultant Bob Wright added: “I started working with MapInfo in 1994 and have been using it on a daily basis ever since. Version 17 continues to expand both the capabilities and functionality of the software: I don’t leave home without it.” www.pitneybowes.com/uk The new release extends its appeal beyond the realms of the GIS professional into strategic business application, giving partners fresh opportunities to engage with both new and existing clients What’s new? New features include: n A new welcome screen with one-stop access to tools, tutorials and a links to the Li360 user community, an online community for partners, clients, product engineers and anyone with an interested in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Community members share best practices, participate in real- time discussions, view tutorials, download documents and follow the latest GIS news; n Mini toolbars, customisable and needing fewer keystrokes to complete your task. Users can create multiple toolbars depending on their tasks, such as a mini toolbar for drawing, one for analytics and one for editing; n Improvements to mapping and layout themes including interactive maps, new templates and previews, so users can visualise data, make it easier to understand and publish maps faster; n A range of layout, layer-control and other usability improvements so users can filter their information and refine their maps; n A fast, intelligent Quick Search function. Users can type in what they need to find and the software automatically presents options relating to that search term, showing them where the term is located to make it easier to find next time users require it, and introducing users to features they may not even know are present; n Geocoding and drive time (online services) capabilities included; n Patented raster capabilities (placing data in rows and columns in a grid) which enable more efficient storage, processing and display of raster tiles at different resolutions, so users can map and analyse data with extraordinary speed across states, countries and continents. Mark Taylor