How to Map-Enable Everyone
Three Alternatives for $2-$10 Per User
John Schlosser, Schlosser Geographic Systems, Inc.
NW MapInfo Users Group- November 5, 1997
Overview  
Key Objectives Non-technical users, low cost; fast implementation; minimal training.
Strategies & Ideas Three ways to implement map-based technology broadly throughout an organization.
   
Key Objectives  
Target users Non-GIS users; middle/upper management; customer service reps; & admin. support staff.
Implementation period Complete in 1 to 7 business days.
Budget Target: $2-$10 per user (200 user install).
Training Little or no training
Strategies & Ideas  
#1 eMail GIS  
Description Email interactive digital maps to mid/upper management. Every organization has key parameters by which they measure their operations or their growth. Eg. Map revenue forecasts by district, days without accidents, unemployment rates by zip code; complaints per district; avg usage per facility. Email these maps to anyone who might be interested. (Alternatively, post the maps on your intranet.)
What you need
  • MapInfo Professional
  • SGSI's MultiPrint ($49 or free if SGSI customer)
  • Adobe Acrobat ($175-225) for one user.
  • Adobe Reader (Free) for your users
Step-by-step
  • Make the maps in MapInfo, save a Workspace for each.
  • Set your printer [via File > Print Options ...] to output maps as Adobe Acrobat PDF format. PDF is a scaleable vector format, with pan/zoom, some hotlinks, and limited query/find facilities (Vers. 3+)
  • Using MultiPrint, print (convert) a set of maps into a set of email-able and viewable maps.
Comments
  • Implementation period: Less than a week.
  • Versions of Adobe Acrobat can run on MAC and UNIX (Sun)
Budget summary : $250-$2,000 ($2-10/user if 200 users)
  • $200-225 for Adobe Acrobat (1 license)
  • $0/user for Adobe PDF reader for everyone
  • 5-15 hrs staff or consultant time to set up scripts or other procedures
  • 1-2 staff hrs/month to run scripts and send emails.
  • No training. Users dbl-click on email attachments to launch map viewer.
Excel GIS (SGSI Note:  This summary was written in 1997.  In versions of Office released after Excel 97, Microsoft removed this map feature, so the following information may no longer apply.)
Description Let users make thematic maps with Excel. These maps can incorporate MapInfo map layers. Excel 7 (Office 95) and Excel97 include a surprising amount of GIS functionality. They also use MapInfo format maps. Features:
  • Thematic mapping incl. dot density maps & pie charts;
  • Multiple map layers;
  • Can install agency specific data: parcels, census tracts, counties, etc.
  • No add-on Excel license required.
What you need

  • Excel Version 7.0 or 8.0 (Office 95 or Office 97)

  • Your map layers, in MapInfo format

  • XLS worksheet data to map.
Step-by-Step

  • Be sure the MS Map feature of Excel is installed. [It is optional]

  • Add your MapInfo map layers to the Excel map catalog using the setup program included with Excel. [Look for the program in "\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Datamap\..]

  • Start Excel. Use Excel "File > Open" to display the worksheet containing values to be mapped.

  • Highlight the columns of values; pick the Map icon (globe); then draw the map area on the worksheet.
Comments

  • Excel is less complicated than MapInfo Pro, but it still takes some skill. Excel mapping may be too technical for some users.

  • Consider offering users a brown bag lunch training session. Step users through the basics. In approx 30 minutes, an Excel user can be productive.

  • The MS Map setup program does not translate your MapInfo format data, just adds it to Excel, .

  • Lotus 1-2-3 used to have a similar map feature. We understand that it has been eliminated from the current 1-2-3 product. It was lame anyway and could not use your internal map data.
Budget summary Budget: $250-$500 ($2-$5/user if 200 users)
  • Assume users already have Excel95 or Excel97.
  • Use your MapInfo map layers..
  • Staff time to add agency-specific maps to Excel map catalog (one-time only)
  • Users use own XLS files or receive regular updated XLS files via email from central data repository.
  • 1-2 staff hrs/month to answer user questions and update map catalogs.
Low-cost Internet GIS  
Description
 Improve intra-organizational efficiency and reduce customer service costs by adding low-cost dynamic maps to your intranet or internet. E.g.
  • Maps to locate allowable & safe shellfish harvest sites.
  • Maps to point people to the nearest clinic, retail outlet, or campsite.
  • Maps illustrating cellular telephone coverage areas.

Cost-effective web-based map servers, for "locator map apps", should include the following features:

  • Ability to geocode exact street addresses, anywhere in jurisdiction (sometime full US).
  • Need to include street, highway, and other base map reference layers
  • Need to be easy for webmasters to install and maintain.

MapXsite does include these features.
What you need
  • Web map server software to "serve" up the maps.
  • Users use their standard Netscape or IE browsers (no plug-in needed with MapXsite.)
Step-by-step
  • Purchase & install web server software: e.g., MapXsite Quick Start ($995)
    Note:  MapXsite is no longer available as a software product.  However other developer web map software is available. [Revised 8/31/99]
  • Geocode your clinic, retail outlet, camp site, harvest area or other point data as appropriate. MapXsite includes full USA geocoding capability.
  • Install and customize the map-related web pages. This includes splicing in your organization's map layers as appropriate.
  • Alternatively, SGSI offers a complete "turnkey" installation at reasonable cost.
Comments
  • MapXsite Quick Start can usually be installed and on-line within a few days. This assumes you have a functional and available web site with server capacity.
  • Other web map functions, including thematic mapping, are possible using more advanced (and more costly) web server software such as MapXtreme or Envinsa.
  • No end-user training needed. People are used to web browsers.
Budget summary $250-$2,000 ($2-10/user if 200 users)
  • Server software license.
  • 1-2 staff or consultant hrs to install map server software on existing NT-based web server.
  • 4-10 staff or consultant hrs to add agency-specific information, logos, and link to existing agency web.
  • 1-2 staff hrs/month to update map and related data on server.
  • If many users hit the map server, a dedicated Windows server is worth it.
For more information Live map-server examples
 
 

N.B. A different version of this presentation was presented to the Washington State Geographic Information Council (WAGIC) on October 23, 1997.

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