Vertical Mapper is add-on software for MapInfo Professional.  It adds a wide suite of tools for creating, manipulating, and analyzing grid maps.

Street maps, zip code maps, customer point maps are most commonly "vector" maps, with shape drawn point-by-point.  In contrast, a grid map has no points, lines or region shapes.  Instead it is an array of regularly-spaced cells, each of which has an assigned or computed value:  e.g.,  elevation, signal strength, estimated rainfall, propensity-to-buy, etc.

Although best known for its uses vis a vis geophysical maps (e.g., contouring, mining, & viewshed analysis), grid maps are widely used by other industries:  e.g.,

• Public safety:  Crime hotspot analysis

• Health:  Epidemiology and health risk analysis

• Retail:  Trade area definition and site selection.

• Wireless:  Cell phone signal strength

Vertical Mapper is only one of several grid-based options for MapInfo users.  Others include MapInfo Pro's built-in grid features, & Discover (Encom Australia).

Every GIS user is familiar with maps layers composed of lines, point, and regions.  Why even consider grids?

Here are SGSI's top reasons:  Speed, Granularity, Pzzazz & 3D, optimization.

Speed

Not all tasks are faster with grid-format data.  But some are.  For example, to compute estimated population within 1, 3 & 5-mile rings around a store or site, based on population by census block group.  In Vertical Mapper:

• VM > Data Analysis > Polygon Overlay ...

Granularity:  Drill-down at any point

• "Info" tool(s)  

Pzzazz:  Use 3D views

The 3D perspective view can be tailored to change light and "camera" angles.

Blahh?

Cool!

Optimization & modeling

Multi-layer analysis to identify "hot spots".  E.g.

a.  Convert region or point layers to grids:

b.   Query multiple grids to see where criteria fit best:

c.  Visualize results:

Con's:  Grid limitations

Projection limits

• One projection at a time.

• MapInfo Pro 8.5 offers on-the-fly re-projection for grids.

File sizes

• Big, esp. with small cell size grids.

• Stores information even for places where there are no features.

Maximum map extent

• Not worldwide!

• Typically, US broken into multiple grids.

3D Highway view
Click here for larger image...

The above prices are ballparks only.  Please contact SGSI at 1-206-224-0800 or email us for more specific pricing. 

You can order Vertical Mapper by simply calling SGSI at 1-206-224-0800 or email us.