Users

Approaches

EasyPlot
Custom MBX
Multiple workspaces
Elbow grease

Decision Points

More Information

• Sets of printed maps.
• Each page focuses on a different coverage area, but otherwise pages have similar design and content.
• Constant map scale for each page (e.g, 1:24,000 or 5 mile radius around each store/site).
• There is a map point or region object for each page in the series.

• Market analysts: Demographic analysis. One map page per site, store, bank branch, or other retail outlet. One map page per sales district, zip code, political precinct, telecom market area, DMA, or county.
• Natural resources: One map page per Qtr-Section, Section or Township.
• Fire, 911, and Police: One map page per precinct, response district, or other zone.
• Commercial map publishers, such as Thos. Brothers.

1. Elbow grease
2. Multiple workspaces:
3. Custom MBX:
4. EasyPlot (or similar)

Cost: About $600/user (+ MapInfo Pro)

• Make a map window (or activate workspace)
• Pick an EasyPlot layout template
• Print the batch.

• Create, edit & save your own layout templates
• Easily add corporate logo and watermark effects
• Batch printing
• Includes "extras": e.g., cookie cutter data, create image files, rotate image, print-to-scale, etc.
• Layouts won't include on-the-fly computations.
• No programming required.

• $795/license for MapBasic, then build-your-own; or
• $1500 - $5000 (site license) budget to contract with SGSI or similar MapBasic developer.

• Define the design:  dialog box controls; map layout design; list input files, create example workspace)
• Supply sample data & get quote from vendor.
• Run the MBX.

• Higher up-front cost; no add-on cost for extra users.
• Get exactly the features you want.
• Can output batches including both "one page per record" and/or "multiple pages/views per record"

Cost: Your labor.

• Make layout for first page, then save as, e.g., "MapPage1.wor"
• Adjust map center and/or zoom level, then save Workspace as MapPage2.wor
• Run MultiPrint.mbx to print all workspaces.

• Must edit all workspace files if you change elements that are common to all pages (e.g., title position, date printed, text fonts, etc).
• Can tweak or create individually customized or non-standard layouts, page-by-page. E.g., change the scale slightly, adjust text positions, etc.

Cost:

• Your labor

How:

• Make each map page manually each time.

• How many pages in the map series?
• How often will you plot the map series?
• Do you need custom computations or special legend effects?
• Will the layout design change?  How often?
• Is text positioning critical?
• How much time and budget do you have?
• Is a web map server a better idea?

• SGSI 206-224-0800; johns@sgsi.com.
  SGSI is USA distributor for EasyPlot and also develops custom MBX's.
• http://www.aligned-assets.co.uk/download_easyplot.html
  Aligned Assets is the UK-based developer of EasyPlot.
  Free 30 day trial version available (no batch printing or custom templates).
• More information about MultiPrint.mbx:
  http://www.sgsi.com/sgs_appl.htm