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SGSI Distance Calculator™ – Add-On for MapInfo Pro

SGSI Distance Calculation efficiently calculates the distance between map objects. The flexible, configurable interface is accessible in the MapInfo menu system for fast and powerful calculating right when you need it. Managing distance and related risk for any geographic features: retail networks, flood risk, level of service, and more.

Calculating distances between map objects requires fewer steps with more options than competing tools.

This proprietary tools is easy to use and integrates with MapInfo Pro for convenient access directly from the control panel.

Robust Automation for Distance Calculation

Calculate to Nearest Object

With SGSI’s Distance Calculator,™  you are not limited to point-to-point measurements.  Select any two map tables as Inputs, including point tables or region tables. You can measure by nearest object, or measure between two points, regions or polylines.

Compute Distance to Nearest Region Edge

Unlike other MapInfo tools, if an origin point is located within a destination region, SGSI’s Distance Calculator™  gives you output options.  Reports generate the distance to region as either zero (0) or as the distance to nearest inside edge:  i.e., “distance within.”

Calculate distances for a subset of records.

 If you’re working with big data tables, there’s no need to calculate a distance for all records.  SGSI Distance Calculator™can automate this process on Selected record sets as well as with complete tables.  Use standard MapInfo Professional commands to select the records of interest, and then specify Selections, instead of full tables, in the Distance Calculator™dialog.

Use Cases: SGSI Distance Calculator and MapInfo Pro

Plan Retail Networks and Personalize Marketing Materials

Identify and measure the distance between all Customer points (Origin table) and the nearest two retail stores in your network. (Destination table). Use results to analyze which customers are underserved by current stores, or to determine specific “Nearest Stores” to  personalized correspondence with customers.

Analyze Flood Risk 

Measure the distance from each real estate parcel region (Origin table) to the nearest shoreline or FEMA flood risk zone (Destination table).  Use the results, to identify properties with flood hazard risks.

Measure “Level of Service” vs. Competitors

Identify and measure the distance between each Census block or other population zones (Origin table) and nearest hotels, ATMs, gyms, or other points of interest (Destination table).  See the populations  better served by competitors, and those underserved by current services.

Predict Wireless Network Performance Bottlenecks

Associate newly-built housing units (Origin table) with the closest wireless cell antennae (Destination table).   Predict the potential for excess traffic, and plan network densification.

Improve Map Data Quality

Spot  data quality issues with County, Zip Code, and other region map layers, which may be misaligned either with each other or address-based point maps.  Misalignment is most common along waterways or shorelines, resulting in address points that incorrectly appear to be slightly, but only slightly *outside* the correct trade area, Zip Code or flood risk zone. 

Manage Spatial Uncertainty

Go beyond the Yes/No answer of whether a point is or is not in the region. Calculating the distance to the region edge, even if the point falls within the nearest region is a quick and easy way to get more information you might need.

Server-based Distance Calculation systems

MapInfo Professional + SGSI Distance Calculator™MBX are sufficient for most one-time or infrequent distance-based analysis.  The duo is remarkably low-cost for the power it offers on the desktop.

SGSI also offers enterprise-grade “Find nearest” and related distance-based  server systems.  These take distance analysis to the next level, emphasizing real-time calculations, scalability, web service APIs, and high level of configurability.

Use Cases: Server-based "Find Nearest" System

Mobile applications & Geofencing
Mobile applications can track when a device is geopositioned inside or outside a specified perimeter (“geofence”). SGSI’s technology goes beyond simple “In/Out” values and  measures how far a device is from the geofence boundary.

Mobile advertising
Find nearest advertisers within a configurable distance of each mobile device.

Personalized customer communications:  Telecommunications
When building out new wireless or wireline communications technology in your markets, integrate an SGSI-designed “find nearest” system to auto-update customer records with current signal quality or service availability as the network grows.

Customer Service Quality
Add value to customer communications by announcing customer-specific service improvements based on regional customer data.

Personalized Customer Communications:  Banks and Retail
When adding to your store fleet or ATM network, compute the nearest point of interest (POI) and, therefore, the most affected customers.  Use SGSI-designed “find nearest” server systems to identify and auto-notify them.

Public Service and Public Safety
Notify adjacent jurisdictions when mobile targets move. Notifying “opt in” residents of crime, road construction, building permits or other nearby events provides additional service to taxpayers. SGSI automates the process by integrating accurate “find nearest” server technology with your current IT infrastructure.