My recent posts delved on using Satellite Imagery to extract and map Information regarding environmental variables such as Pollution levels, Land Surface Temperature and Subsidence. Remote Sensing is abundantly useful when it comes to generating insights about the pressing environmental challenges we face on Earth - be it on Land, Water or Air. Also, it is a technical field - to be able to extract accurate and meaningful information from Earth Observation datasets requires intellectual prowess. In these posts, I had only replicated the methodology, which scientists have developed after years of research, to my Region of Interest.
However, satellite-generated datasets is not individually sufficient to address many of the challenges faced by or fulfill the objectives of commercial organizations. For example, one doesn't associate Remote Sensing with being able to assist a for-profit organization to visualize its Operations, spot Bottlenecks, gain Competitive Advantage, reduce Costs or earn more Profits. Thankfully, Mapping is not restricted to analyzing Remotely-sensed data alone; it can analyze any Geospatial data i.e. any data which has a location / positional aspect to it, with equal ease.
A very basic example of this is a Physical Address - any such address can be plotted on a map as it is defined by coordinates. More importantly, if any other information is linked to the Address - eg. Resident Data, Income Data, Purchasing Behaviour Data, it can be linked to the Map too as an 'Attribute' of the Physical Address. With Modern Mapping Platforms, a map is not just restricted to being a visual depiction, it is also a repository of features and attribute information, which can be stored, analyzed and visualized in dynamic ways.
Let us consider a hypothetical situation - You are a Mobile Phone manufacturer who wants to shortlist a few markets in India suitable to launch a phone which has been specifically engineered for female users. You have some parameters in mind - a) the total Female Population in that market has to be considerable, b) the Population Density has to be above the national average, c) the Purchasing Power of the residents needs to be above a certain threshold and d) their expenditure on Electronics & IT products needs to be significantly above the National Mean Expenditure on the same.
As you would notice in the depiction above, with the latest in Mapping technology, these parameters can be factored in and potential launch markets can be identified in a visually engaging manner.
The Map-based Solver has honed in on 9 pockets in India which fulfill all our stated requirements. Moreover, the results are easily 'queryable' i.e. you can tweak the constraints to be more conservative or aggressive as per your liking and the Map-output will dynamically update in an instant.
Now imagine that alongside these Macro-variables, which can be sourced from publicly available datasets, you were to add in your own company's Supply chain datasets. For example, you can add in your existing Distribution network, Competitor locations, Supplier information and Customer information. The output of the Map-Solver would become even more powerful and relevant.
In another hypothetical example, I have mapped the existing branches of a Canadian Bank in Toronto - located towards the northwest in the map depiction below. The bank is considering expansion of its existing Branch Network across the border in USA- it seeks to open branches at suitable locations which fulfill parameters related to a) Population Density, b) Average Household Size, c) Percentage of Residents having a Savings Account and d) Median Disposable Income. The bank also possesses information regarding its Competitors' Branch locations across the border in USA - plotted on the map depiction as red numbered circles.
Bank branch locations and Headcount information is publicly available in the U.S.A.
The advanced Mapping Analytics tool factors these criteria as well as internal and external Branch information and shortlists land pockets (marked in blue located towards the south-centre and south-east in the Map depiction above) which could be potentially attractive new branch locations for the Canadian bank. Alongside the Map-based output, several data charts are also generated (not shown here) which further enhances the Canadian bank's ability to take a strong, conclusive call on the suitable location for the new branches.
Isn't this useful?
Article Update: 01st March 2022
Below is a video prepared by an Intern in my firm - Tanisha Jain - which demonstrates how Mapping Platforms (GIS) are useful for Site Suitability Analysis i.e. shortlisting suitable sites by factoring in operational parameters and constraints. Tanisha has used Geographic Information System to site the location of a new Hospital.
In my opinion, in addition to Spreadsheet-based Modelling, Map-based Location Analytics adds a unique flavour to any Site Selection study. Not only is GIS convenient to operate but also its output lends a beneficial perspective to the situation. You may read my elaborate article cum demonstration which covers both these topics, here. I must emphasize that the more high quality data you can obtain to prepare the model, the better your chances are to have a 'relevant' Location Suitability output.
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 Services, Subsurface Mapping Services, Location Analytics & App Development, Supply Chain Services, Remote 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.
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.
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