Take a look at this animated trend map from Latoya Egwuekwe, a graduate student at American University. It is also available on YouTube here.  CNN did a story on it.

Latoya’s map shows how the unemployment rate has changed over the past several years by month, through November 2009. When you get to the map, click the arrow in the middle and watch how things changed. Incredible what “The Great Recession” has done. The old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” is never more true than looking at this map.  Viewing it only takes a few seconds.

The darker the color, the higher the unemployment. 2009 has been BRUTAL, and any reversal in the trend is not apparent.  The current national unemployment map as of the December figure is now at 9.7%.

Here is a chart from Google with the same data as a single line. Click through on the chart below to get the chart by state and county for where you are.

This interesting data visualization map shows a state by state distribution of wealth.

CLICK TO EXPAND

Mapping Americas Wealth - Click to Expand

For more information on how Geographic Enterprises can assist with a data visualization project please call us.  888.848.4436

Bing Maps has been making some big changes recently and I think this is one of the best yet for the casual user.  Having a party and need to add directions to your pad?  Want to add a stylistic map element to your site?  Bing Maps will now draw it for you.  Click here to check it out.

Bing Destination Maps

Geographic Enterprises would like to hear about your favorite mapping sites.  Please share it with us.  sales@geo-e.com

Interesting article yesterday by Sasha M Pardy on the CoStar site…

Link: http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=8F7645E7108D0FD6E881D5428553E0A1

Based on the flurry of reports from a wide range of industry observers, there appears to be growing consensus that the worst may be over for the U.S. economy and that, with consumer spending returning to positive, a retail real estate recovery is in sight, say industry forecasters.

We’re not out of the woods yet, however, these same observers caution. The market should not expect 2010 to end with much-improved occupancy, higher rental rates, a flood of new space completions, or higher property sale prices. Instead, forecasters at Property & Portfolio Research, Grubb & Ellis, Marcus & Millichap, Jones Lang LaSalle and CB Richard Ellis, predict 2010 will mark a return to stability for the majority of U.S. retail markets.

Setting a hopeful direction for retailers’ sales in the coming year, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) reported that retailers posted a 1.8% gain in sales for the holiday selling period (November-December). While positive, the sales figures are not considered “strong,” but instead as setting a foundation for an expected stronger pace of retail spending in 2010. All-in-all, retailer’s same store sales declined 2.4% in 2009 and for all of 2010, ICSC is forecasting a 3.9% gain in sales year-over-year across all retail segments.

Ever wish your Demographic Data and Mapping service would integrate with Google Earth?  You spend time analyzing data, creating maps, uploading data (you can upload custom data with Research360) and then you do it all over again in Google Earth.  Stop the madness!  Wouldn’t it be easier if you could just click a button?  You can!  The following 4 screenshots will show you the basics.

To request a live demonstration call 888.848.4436 ext. 4 or click here for our online request form.

First, we create a map in Research 360 and click the “Other Views” button.

Map of Petco Park in San Diego, Themed by Median Household Income ('09) -- CLICK TO EXPAND

Other Views Window

Second, choose between Google Earth; Google Maps; Virtual Earth; or Yahoo! Maps.  You can also specify what data you want to bring over.  You can use standard demographics or view your own data.

Once you click OK, Google Earth (or other option you chose) will open and your data from Research360 will be in there waiting for you.

Google Earth - Displaying a Site, Trade Area, Median Household Income Theme and a simple ZIP Code Flash Report - CLICK TO EXPAND

Now you can manipulate Google Earth to display the data the way you prefer.  From here you can really customize the final output with Google Earth’s editing capabilities.  Change the angle of your view, utilize the 3D Buildings (available in several major cities) or dive right down to a street view.

Unique "Birds Eye View" of your Site and Trade Area - CLICK TO EXPAND

If you are interested in learning more about this feature please contact Geographic Enterprises, 888.848.4436 or request a live demonstration today by clicking here.

Did you know that you can cut the entire United States into ZIP Based Territories of Populations of 250,000 in only minutes?  This is just one simple example of how powerful the Research360 Territory Manager is.

Research360 Territory Manager is a web-based solution for aligning territories to improve the return on sales and service resources. It  works with Strategy Map, is simple to use and is scaled to manage territory hierarchies from the smallest to the largest national salesforces.

For more information: contact Geographic Enterprises @ 888.848.4436 x4

To schedule a live demonstration:  Click Here

Or…Watch this quick 97 second video to learn more.

The 2010 Census is underway but did you know the Census Bureau has been working on it since 2008?  The link below will take you to a timeline so you know what to expect in the  coming months.

Census 2010 Timeline

The final release of the data to the public will likely occur sometime in early 2012.  Research360 can meet your demographic data needs TODAY with the most up to date data in the industry.  Our partnership with Synergos Technologies and their PopStats data is the only source with Quarterly Updates.  Don’t settle for old data in this economy.

Geographic Enterprises | 888.848.4436

GIS or GPS?? Whats the difference?  They both have to do with maps right?  Yes, but its not that simple.  This explanation should help.

Geographic Information System, GIS

Definition:  Geographic Information System or GIS, is a mapping system for capturing, managing, storing and analyzing data and attributes which are spatially referenced to the earth.

Basically, it’s mapping software that you can load a bunch of data and attributes into and visually manipulate and display them to tell a story.  An example would be a map of San Diego showing In-N-Out Burger Locations and Total Households themed by ZIP.  Click here to see the example

Legend has it that the first rudimentary GIS was used by Cro-Magnon man as he drew pictures of his hunting grounds (map) and locations of animal migration routes (attributes).  No really, I’m serious…this improved his hunting efficiency as modern GIS can help you “hunt” for customers.  Please use Research360 for your maps and not cave walls…ok?

Global Positioning System, GPS

Definition:  A satellite navigation system which calculates your position on the earth’s surface with the use of a GPS receiver.  The satellite network is owned and maintained by the US Dept. of Defense and the accuracy of the signal is intentionally degraded for civilian use.

GPS is great tool that many of us use everyday.  The most widely used is vehicle navigation to help us get from one place to another, find a gas station, alternate routes and even display live traffic.  Vehicle navigation is a combination between GPS and GIS since it displays attributes like road networks, points of interest, restaurants, etc.  You’ll also find GPS in some many phones and vehicle recovery systems too.

I know you may be thinking, why isn’t the GPS in my car as accurate as a Stealth Bomber?  Well, I think you may be able to answer that question on your own.  What you may not know is that civilian grade GPS is accurate to about 20 feet (just fine for finding your favorite burger joint) and military grade GPS is accurate to less than a foot.

As you can see GIS and GPS are both very powerful tools that can benefit anyone wanting to be more aware of his/her surroundings.  Whether used for business or personal use GIS and GPS will be a regular part of our everyday life.

Don’t be afraid to ask for directions,

rich@geo-e.com