ArcGIS vs. Maptitude

I'm very grateful to be able to use it, and I have a master's degree with a focus in Geospatial Analysis. There can be a bit of a learning curve, and I try to build user-friendly ways for volunteers to see & collect data. Meanwhile, if a colleague is less confident with building such a system, it may be more difficult for them to implement.

Incentivized

Maptitude has proven to be an easy tool got banker to analyze their lending patterns for CRA and HMDA. In addition, it helps refine and target potential customers based on segmentation models. Given the new 2020 census data, Maptitude is ideal for understanding the changing demographics.

Incentivized

• ArcGIS Online simplifies complicated functions in ArcMap.
• Allows you to layer various data points on top of each other
• Enables for some spreadsheet calculations within the platform (instead of having to do every single step in Excel before bringing it in as a CSV.)

• Geocoding
• Thematic mapping
• Big data

• There is a steep learning curve for ArcGIS users.
• It takes a lot of computing power for ArcGIS, as it can't be installed on every computer.
• At times, tools can be outdated and there are many similar competitors making more web-based tools that can replace ArcGIS.

Incentivized

• Ease of use, the learning curve is steeper than normal; however, once you learn it, it is simple.
• The tools can be glitchy. There are times when you add say a radius to the map and go to move it; the tool tries to resize the area and not move it. You have to re-click on the tool that you want every time; it is cumbersome at times.
• The zip code areas should be smoother. If you market via zip code and not DMA, you will have this issue. It is not the systems fault, so-to-say, it is the way that the system maps these zips, using zip area.

Incentivized

Simply because the program deserves it. It seems to me that it is a fundamental tool for the storage, analysis, and interpretation of medium and large-scale phenomena, unmanageable with traditional engineering software. Its versatility in the handling of the different "layers" with which the data is handled and interpolation tools, make this software a powerful ally both for companies and for the educational part of the universities.

Once set up, the tools are extremely easy to use. I had a staff member develop a tool for field data collection, that included an external and internal dashboards to monitor progress in days. The field workers that collected the data, barely knew how to use a computer, and within minutes they could use the application that was configured for them.

Incentivized

ArcGIS' web support is quite good. They also have a broad user base that is active in answering community members' questions. For more sophisticated questions, ArcGIS technical support is good at answering questions, although answers usually are not instantaneously available. I'd also say that ArcGIS is working hard at making its technical support more reachable, at least it appears that way.

Incentivized

Caliper are really good at responding to any difficulties you're having ...even if it's your own fault! If I was a US user, I'd immediately give it 10/10, but because I'm in the UK and am an early bird, there are those occasions where I've needed support in our morning, but had to be patient. But it's not an issue.

My students love the "drop" feature in Google Maps, but besides that it truly doesn't compare. I love that you can add, delete, or change layers to this map to better understand its larger affect. There are many more ways to manipulate maps on ArcGIS than on Google Maps. I can also add personal details and information if I want to create a specific map, something that I am unable to do with Google

Incentivized

I was a MapPoint user and was looking for a simple GIS tool to replace it when Microsoft announced that they weren't going to update it any further - actually Maptitude can do masses more than I ever need it for, and it does what I need really well - masses better than MapPoint could do.

• The high availability of training exercises and materials available save valuable faculty time - we don't have to create those materials from scratch.
• The ability to use the software for a wide variety of application spaces gives us maximum flexibility in pursuing extramural funding
• Novel applications developed by our team help facilitate university success

Incentivized

• More professional data sets.
• Enhanced analysis ability.

Incentivized