The ultimate guide: Software Outsourcing
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GIS stands for a geographic information system. This software allows users to question, visualize, analyze, and interpret geographical data. Many companies use GIS software to manage geographical data to improve operations in various geoscience industries and land-centric enterprises. This includes such endeavors as sales territory management, field service dispatching, transportation, construction, and asset management. 

The components that are considered essential to GIS software include:

●      The ability to store, organize and analyze geographical data

●      Contain either GIS capability or use a GIS platform

●      Come with visualization capabilities for displaying geographical information

●      The ability to align and/or manipulate data from maps and sources 

With these features in mind, we've come up with a list of the best GIS software options for 2021. 

Esri ArcGIS

This software program offers a suite of comprehensive mapping and location intelligence tools and capabilities. They also offer rich software development tools that allow users to configure and build their own mapping and location intelligence products. Additionally, ArcGIS provides an extensive collection of data and content to geo-enrich the data users collect. 

Users can deploy this software on their local machines, on their remote or on-premises servers, or via a SaaS hosted by Esri. 

BatchGeo

Founded in 2006, BatchGeo makes it simple for users to plot a list of addresses on a Google map. It's optimized to use data from Excel, CSV, or Google Spreadsheets. Users have the option of color-coding their data by groups or ranges. They can also heat map their data. Furthermore, BatchGeo offers a route mapping feature that lets users optimize routes for up to 23 points at a time. Additionally, this software makes it easy for users to share their maps among colleagues or use them as a store locator on a website. 

Maptive

Maptive's GIS software was created with businesses in mind. It offers a wide range of data visualization capabilities and geospatial analysis options. This software provides comprehensive features, including heat mapping, drive-time and route optimization, pie chart clusters and markers, custom markers, and API access with real-time updates. Additionally, users can create several different map types, including demographic maps, sales territory maps, and color-coded pin maps. 

Maptive is mobile-friendly and features the ability to track one's location with a GPS. Alternatively, users can send a Google Maps link to their phone to get turn-by-turn directions for optimized routes. Maptive is also 100% cloud-based. Therefore, maps can be accessed from any device, and no software downloads are required. 

Maptitude

Maptitude's GIS software offers the tools, maps, and data necessary for analyzing and understanding how geography affects an individual and their organization. Users can build maps from spreadsheet data, and it's possible to view data on the map from various sources, including Google Maps KML/KMZ files

This software program is particularly well suited for sales mapping. It allows you to understand where your customers are located, views where your sales are highest and discovers hidden opportunities. Additionally, you can find geographic patterns and trends that wouldn't be visible in a database table or spreadsheet. 

Scribble Maps

Simple to use online GIS platform, Scribble Maps lets users create maps from spreadsheet data. Users can then filter this data, create optimized routes, add annotations, and measure distances. This software also allows users to build interactive maps and collaborate on map creation with colleagues. Additionally, Scribble Maps makes it possible for users to create clickable maps and embed maps on a website. 

MapBusinessOnline

Designed especially for use by small and large enterprises, MapBusinessOnline can create sales territory maps, customer location visuals, multi-stop optimized routes with time windows, and market analyses with multiple drive time queries. All maps are shareable and optimized for collaborative editing. Additionally, all maps are formatted for large format printing. 

Summary

GIS software can be used for a variety of applications and is particularly well-suited to business applications. When selecting a GIS platform, it must feature options for analyzing geographic data and presenting it in a variety of map types to best suit one's needs. Furthermore, for business purposes, it's ideal if the software offers options for collaborating and sharing.