Urban Mapping Blog

A new Garter report on Business Intelligence platforms (a la Magic Quadrant) puts Tableau Software in the “challenger” quadrant, no more than a stone throw to many incumbent BI vendors. Why is this exciting for Urban Mapping? Because we are great fans of Tableau and support them in all elements of geo–we host their custom-rendered basemap, overlay demographic data and more…

Why is geographic analysis important in business intelligence tools? Gartner says it all:

When you need to know where to place a new retail outlet, or how to market to a population based on location (anyone in a specific postal code, for example) and demographics, you need to combine lots of market data from external data providers (such as Experian) and use forecasting and predictive analytic models to effectively target the right buyers. It’s more than just plotting results on a map; it’s getting a fuller view of prospects/customers and using that knowledge to drive business process.

In its analysis of Tableau, Gartner analysts say “Interactive analysis can be shared with a report consumer equipped with a Web browser. The combination of exceptional ease of use (“fun” is often used to describe Tableau by its users), with the ability to conduct sophisticated analysis, is a key reason users are exuberant with the platform.” We’re thrilled, too, and look forward to more great news from Tableau customers and analysts! Have a read of the Tableau Software case study if you would like to know more.

Huh?

With election season upon us, and political divisiveness at an all time high, we thought it a good time to look at a history of secessionist movements in the US. The initial idea was to see how the various movements (South Florida, West Kansas, Vandalia, etc…) would compare to other states by looking at economic, social and other indicators. We then thought on this more…the ideal of any political movement is to gain independence, so we thought further: what if each secessionist movement was its own country, and how would it stack up with other countries across general measures of health, economy, education, environment and more.

So that’s what we did. We researched and loaded would-be entities and used Mapfluence estimate statistics. The results are both curious and concerning. Our Secessionist Movements and National Indicators map allows you to look at the 30 or so US movements and 15 indicators (with more coming). Take it for a spin and let us know your thoughts–comments are welcome and even encouraged!

You can also use 48 well spent seconds and watch a video preview!

Friends, past and future employees, customers, neogeographers and cartographers far and wide…We hereby proclaim this Thursday, December 1 to be the day of holiday mapaction. From 9pm ’till late we’ll be celebrating at 54 Mint in San Francisco with dancing, DJ, drinks and the requisite late nite taco truck.

Come one, come all and help us celebrate a very good year (brought to you by prudent financial planning).

Today we unveil the first in a series of maps created to tell stories–we make the map, you tell the story! We’re thrilled to have our first map, exploring obesity factors in the US, created by Gretchen Peterson. Looking at educational level attained, consumer expenditures on fresh vegetables, foreign-born US residents and median household income, there appear to be some interesting correlations.

Like what you see? Don’t like what you see? Either way, let us know by joining the conversation and commenting. We’re always on the lookout for more cartographers to join our Cartographer in Residence program, and of course any curious and talented technical staff.