Mapping Software Visualizes Demographics
Microsoft’s MapPoint 2001 business mapping software aims to help users visually analyze and communicate geographical information. It combines detailed maps with the simplicity of Microsoft Office to help users find and illustrate points on the map, integrate maps into Office documents, and quickly identify the trends of businesses on the map using their own data. MapPoint lets businesses pinpoint their customers, visually identify trends, print maps and directions, find new business locations, create a variety of thematic map types, and create publicity materials catered to specific regions.
The software has various applications for educational environments. For example, schools that are trying to evaluate trends in student populations can examine school clusters as they correspond with an average income level by county. Through the use of built-in demographic data, schools can also identify the percentage of school-aged children relative to total population, by county. A data wizard gives step-by-step instructions to link and share information from Excel, Access and Outlook to a MapPoint-based map. Microsoft, Redmond, WA, (425) 882-8080, www.microsoft.com/office/mappoint.
This article originally appeared in the 06/01/2001 issue of THE Journal.