Data Enhancement & Analysis

Our data enhancement & analysis service allows you to supply to us one or more geographic data sets that can be cleaned, manipulated or enhanced as required.

Address Geocoding

Geocoding is the addition of mappable objects (usually a point) to a dataset that includes a geographic element, typically an address. This enables you to visualise and analyse this dataset within a GIS.

We can add X, Y or Lat-Long references to a file of addresses from the U.K., Europe, or the Rest of the World. Depending on the data sets available for the specific country, there are usually various levels of precision available: for instance, addresses in the U.K. can be geocoded to a 100m, 10m, 1m or 0.1m level of precision. The client can specify the proportion of addresses required to be geocoded: for high proportions, some level of manual intervention may be necessary.

To achieve this, you would supply us with the raw dataset(s) and inform us of the required level of precision and required ”hit-rate”; we would then perform the necessary analysis and return the updated dataset(s) geocoded to your instructions.

Data Format Conversion

Data Format Conversion is the conversion of geographic data from one format to another.

There are many reasons why you might wish to perform geographic data conversion – some examples are:

• Converting text-based data containing geographic co-ordinates into a format ready to plug into a GIS
• Exporting data from a GIS format such as SDE or SDC into text format
• Converting Shape files into Personal or Enterprise Geodatabase format
• Re-projecting various data sets into one common projection

Data Re-Projection

A GIS that displays geographic data needs to project it onto a two-dimensional surface. It is often necessary to re-project data sets, such as:

• Converting Lat/Long to British National Grid
• Converting Northern Irish data from its default Irish projection to British National Grid, so that the whole of the U.K. can be displayed on one map
• Reprojecting data sets from individual European countries onto a common projection so that the whole of Europe can be displayed on one map

Metadata Management

The management of metadata is becoming increasingly important. We can provide advice on the use of metadata and metadata standards and develop customised metadata stylesheets for customers or projects.

Geodemographic Analysis

Geodemographic analysis is the analysis and targeting of local areas using a personal and/or business data. We can discuss your requirements, and produce output in the form of maps, reports and customised data sets.

It is generally a three stage process:

1. Segment your current customer base: What demographic types are they; Which products do they buy; How far do they travel to purchase your service; Which media do they read?
2. Define your target markets: Which segments do you wish to target; what is your strategy for targeting them. You many not have any information about your current customers – what other surveys are available that might help you produce a definition of the market
3. Reach your target markets: produce the data sets required; generate maps and reports

Geodemographic analysis can be applied in many areas:

• Site Location – where’s the best places to open/close/re-brand
• Target Marketing – who are my prospects and where can I find them?
• Media Analysis – which Newspapers/TV stations/Radio/Web sites are most cost effective?
• Market Size Estimation – what is the local market size for my product/service
• Recruitment & Retention – which customers are most like to stay/churn