The use of technology has developed many innovative ways for people, including businesses, to grow and foster easily. With hundreds of ways to make processes easier, geospatial data and technology have become one of the most effective tools for success in different industries, especially in today’s digital age.
Geospatial data, also known as spatial data, contains information about objects or events with geographic components. Also, it enables one to model the real world and better understand why, where, and how phenomena happen in real time. How is this important to the world of business?
Here, we will explore and understand the different uses of geospatial data and how it can help today's businesses.
1. Geospatial Mapping
One of the common uses of geospatial data is its application in mapping. Geospatial data helps build and create a visualization of areas described in a specific or traditional type of data.
The data is applied to visualize spatial objects through maps, graphs, statistics, etc. Thus, presenting a model that would help businesses achieve accurate location data that can be a powerful tool used for business growth. Other helpful forms of maps for businesses include heat maps, category maps, and cluster maps. These maps can present segments such as the following:
- Demographics of prospects (age, sex, etc.)
- Socioeconomic backgrounds of prospect (occupation, income, etc.)
- The proximity of the business to public utilities.
How is this helpful for businesses? Geospatial mapping can be useful in collecting information related to customer habits and buying patterns. Moreover, when applied to geospatial mapping, this customer information can help companies know where these people are most likely to shop.
How else can you use your business data? An excellent data analysis solution provided by GIS Services can help companies utilize data to create accurate planning and decisions for their business.
2. Site Selection
When creating your own business, finding and choosing the right location for it to thrive is crucial. This is because your goal is to set up a business in a location that is easily accessible to your target market. Geospatial data can help you identify competitive locations and whatnot.
Looking at geospatial data will effectively contribute to identifying the top spots for your business and eventually help answer questions related to the following:
- Competition in nearby stores.
- Proximity to target customer’s location.
- Accessibility to transportation.
- Safety and security.
3. Visit Attribution
Another use of geospatial data is knowing your business' visit attribution. Know that this visit attribution applies to physical stores and a company's online website. But let's focus on store visit attribution and why it is crucial for your business. Visit attribution helps in identifying customers that are actual visitors to your business.
It helps differentiate those that enter the grounds of your store and those that are only passersby. How is this possible? Accurate building footprint data and precise GPS data from customers will help businesses analyze actual foot traffic.
Therefore, allowing businesses to enhance and develop effective ways to increase foot traffic in the business' physical stores. Remember that increasing foot traffic can mean an increase in interest, and interest can regulate revenue.
4. Analyzes Competition
Knowing and analyzing competition is one way to assess if your business is going well. Geospatial data provides competitive intelligence to your business. Understanding business competition involves knowing who they are, what they do, and their edge over what you offer.
Geospatial data allows you to know and see your geographic influence compared to your competitors, especially those your market frequently visits. Through this data, you will be able to see and assess if your customers and potential ones are finding your business more accessible than many others around you.
5. Logistics and Supply Chain
Effective logistics is one of the keys to business success. Logistics refers to the company's purchase and delivery of raw materials and transportation of goods from one point to another. Furthermore, it includes packaging, shipment, and warehousing of products.
Companies use effective and advanced geospatial mapping to identify ways to improve logistics and utilize better delivery routes. Through this, businesses can accelerate the time for deliveries and shipments, leading to customer satisfaction. Effective logistics contribute positively to a successful supply chain.
A successful supply chain can increase the business's cash flow, profit, and sales. Moreover, geospatial data can also provide visual data to be used by businesses to track their progress in specific geographic locations.
Conclusion
Today's innovation and technology have opened new opportunities helpful for businesses to succeed. Geospatial data may be complex to understand, but it is indeed helpful for you to better understand the needs and preferences of your target market. Those included on the list are just a few geospatial data uses.
Geospatial data can also help answer business problems related to network planning and risk assessment. Furthermore, it contributes further to understanding your consumer insights, which the business can use to enhance interest and attention to the business.
