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Writer's pictureArpit Shah

Explore the 4 Categories of Map-based Dashboards

Updated: Oct 28

The Oxford Dictionary defines a Dashboard as '...a panel facing the pilot of an aircraft, containing instruments and controls'.


Now, consider the aircraft as your organization and yourself as the pilot. Wouldn't you rather begin your work day by drawing insights from a visually engaging Dashboard application rather than sifting through Word Reports and Excel Spreadsheets? Or even better, wouldn't you prefer to keep a tab on the happenings of the day on a near-Real Time basis, for every aspect that you are responsible for, without having to be informed by IT or Line managers?


If your answer is in the affirmative, then you would benefit from a map-based Dashboard. These maps are configurable i.e. you can have it designed in a way most useful for you to understand the data you want to track.


Map-based Dashboards can be of several types. Some can be developed for a particular use, while others can be developed for daily monitoring purposes. Alternatively, some can be prepared for consumption within the organization, while others can be prepared to inform external stakeholders such as customers, community or investors. For this article, the dashboards have been segregated basis the type of objectives they help fulfill.


Click on the images below to explore the Dashboard application

 

1. Informational Dashboards


These kind of Dashboards help you derive meaning from large and complex geographic datasets in a visually engaging manner.


Situation: Consider yourself as an International Immigration Consultant who is looking to understand migration patterns around the globe, through a stretch of time. You've got hold of the dataset and want to derive insights from it -

Exploring Tips: Hit the pause button to change the country and subsequently to compare inbound / outbound migration for it. Click on the colored lines on the globe to see migration information for that particular route. Try changing the map to 2D mode to see a different, wider view. Also, change the year and observe the change in migration pattern. Notice the Pop-ups on the screen which shows more information about the feature you are selecting.


Liked this? See another Informational Dashboard which maps key World Bank indicators here.

 

2. Operational Dashboards


These kind of Dashboards are useful for monitoring the business and/or project operations (eg. Project Status, Asset Tracking, Resource Productivity, Maintenance Schedule) on a Real Time basis.


Situation: While this easy to understand Dashboard shows the current Water Quality status of the various Water Bodies within a particular region as captured by the sensors, you can apply this concept to any situation where you wish to collate human or sensor-captured datasets on a Map-based Dashboard as part of your Operational toolkit so that you can remained updated on critical parameters of the project, enabling you to take quick action when needed.

Exploring tips: Click on some of the Water Body sites from the widget on the left of the Dashboard to see their respective Water Quality readings. You can also open the Filter panel which is hidden by default towards the extreme left and alter the parameters as per your liking which will instantaneously reflect on the dynamic Map view.


Liked this? See this Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) used to visualize information on Telecom Towers and other Communication equipment (current status such as Active / Outage) across the United States here.

You'll need to create an ArcGIS Online account and login with the credentials to view this dashboard

 

3. Tactical Dashboards


These kinds of Dashboards help particularly in organizing information for Planning purposes and Instant Action purposes - in order to achieve a particular objective utilizing historical benchmarks, competition, trends etc.


Situation: Designed to help bolster its market presence and counter competitor outlets, this Dashboard assists Starbucks Coffee Chain to identify suitable sites for its new Retail shops in New York City, USA.


Update: The Dashboard doesn't appear to be active as of October 2024. You may be unable to access it. Explore this alternative instead, or this one.

Exploring tips: Change the Basemap to 'Light or Dark Gray Canvas' from the small icon on the top right of the Dashboard. Zoom in until you see the Starbucks logo clearly. Click on any of the Starbucks icons - one Red icon as well as one Blue icon for example, and see the information it captures. Also, click on any blank area on the Map to see the information that particular coordinate contains (the Demographic and Income levels of that region). The Map view will also update dynamically as per the Timeline you select and you will see how the Starbucks outlets compare with those of the competitors at that point in time.


Liked this? See this Dashboard used to monitoring Active Fires and Hotspots globally over the last 48 hours. Such Dashboards are commonly used by Law Enforcement personnel (including in India) to understand Crime Patterns, to allocate Policing resources, and so on.

 

4. Strategic Dashboards


As the name suggests, these Dashboards serve a strategic purpose i.e. it helps to see the big picture of a situation alongside the individual components that form it.


Situation: Put yourself in the shoes of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Being a United Nations-designated body responsible for International Public Health, it has to play a pivotal role in disseminating guidelines and advisories in a timely manner, worldwide. They, among several other public service and government organizations, are following this dynamic Global Virus Cases Dashboard developed by Johns Hopkins University closely.

Exploring tips: Zoom in the Map and click on a country of your choice from the widget on the left. Then proceed to toggle different views just below the Map extent - Cumulative confirmed cases, Active cases, Hospitalization rate, among others). You can explore the data at aggregated and disaggregated levels depending on the prevailing map extent. For example, you can visualize the pandemic data for India at a Country level as well as at the State level. Observe how the Dashboard view dynamically changes to accommodate new data based on your Country selection.


Liked this? Explore another strategic dashboard, for Ocean Health Index scores & trends here.

 

ABOUT US


Intelloc Mapping Services | Mapmyops.com is based in Kolkata, India and engages in providing Mapping solutions that can be integrated with Operations Planning, Design and Audit workflows. These include but are not limited to - Drone ServicesSubsurface Mapping ServicesLocation Analytics & App DevelopmentSupply Chain ServicesRemote Sensing Services and Wastewater Treatment. The services can be rendered pan-India, some even globally, and will aid an organization to meet its stated objectives especially pertaining to Operational Excellence, Cost Reduction, Sustainability and Growth.


Broadly, our area of expertise can be split into two categories - Geographic Mapping and Operations Mapping. The Infographic below highlights our capabilities.

Mapmyops (Intelloc Mapping Services) - Range of Capabilities and Problem Statements that we can help address
Mapmyops (Intelloc Mapping Services) - Range of Capabilities and Problem Statements that we can help address

Our 'Mapping for Operations'-themed workflow demonstrations can be accessed from the firm's Website / YouTube Channel and an overview can be obtained from this flyer. Happy to address queries and respond to documented requirements. Custom Demonstration, Training & Trials are facilitated only on a paid-basis. Looking forward to being of service.


Regards,

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