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The publication of a new, completely redesigned and more accessible 64-page edition of the unique, free Data Catalogue marks a departure for Kingswood MapMechanics, one of the UK’s leaders in digital mapping, geographic information systems and logistics solutions.
Kingswood MapMechanics’ new Data Catalogue is much more than just a listing of data products; in its own right it is also a self-contained guide to GIS. It is one of the only printed guides of its kind still available on the market, since other suppliers’ product listings are now only available on the Internet. |
“Our guide is available in its entirety on our web site, www.mapmechanics.com,” says managing director Mary Short, “but our customers tell us that the paper version is often much more convenient as it can be consulted anywhere and is easier to flick through for new ideas.”
The new version of the Data Catalogue pushes the industry-leading role of the publication even further forward, containing a completely new introductory section that leads readers clearly and methodically through some of the key areas of GIS and map data.
There is a concise explanation, for instance, of “geodemographics”, explaining how the census, lifestyle, profiling and Family Expenditure Survey data is created and how it can be used with the user’s chosen mapping software. There is an easy-to-assimilate chart showing the meaning and scope of postcode areas, districts, sectors and units and another showing how Census geography is made up. A further chart compares the relative features and attractions of raster and vector map data.
The Data Catalogue product section has been completely redesigned to provide a more concise listing for fast access to information. Major changes such as the introduction of new products or significant price reductions are highlighted. Recent price reductions represent the most striking single development in this new edition. In some cases the map data now costs only a third of the previous price. The reductions apply to some of the most widely used digital map datasets in Britain, including ranges from the Ordnance Survey, NAVTEQ and Andes.
As always, some new and upgraded products are listed for the first time in the latest Catalogue. There are new feature-based subsets for AA and OS data, new colour street level rasters and new street rankings (providing combined attractiveness values for each street in 1,000 major retail centres).
An entirely new applications section has been added to the 2004 edition of the Data Catalogue, with case studies showing how organisations have used mapping to make better informed decisions, improve services and increase efficiency. This section features a wide range of examples, from territory creation for door-drop marketing to the location of football grounds on the web.
A personal copy of this free comprehensive guide to digital map data can be obtained by calling call 020 8568 7000 or emailing info@mapmechanics.com. |
