Self-Service Web Tool Turns Open Data into Useable Data
PHILADELPHIA–PolicyMap is putting data mapping tools in the hands of the masses with a new Web tool that launched today at www.policymap.com. The site features an online mapping tool and access to more than 15,000 sets of public and commercial data – from demographics and crime stats to housing, bank loans, consumer spending, education, jobs, healthcare and much more.
“As interest in data and data visualization has exploded, we’ve rebuilt PolicyMap into a more powerful but easier to use tool that appeals to our traditional customers, as well as newcomers to mapping and Web managers looking to elevate their business intelligence, research, analytics or presentation or GIS capabilities”
With this new update, PolicyMap has not only become easier to use and navigate, but has added more advanced capabilities such as custom data tools and advanced multi-layered mapping. For a full list of features visit the PolicyMap Blog at http://www.policymap.com/blog/2014/03/new-policymap-bring-data-life-fun/.
“As interest in data and data visualization has exploded, we’ve rebuilt PolicyMap into a more powerful but easier to use tool that appeals to our traditional customers, as well as newcomers to mapping and Web managers looking to elevate their business intelligence, research, analytics or presentation or GIS capabilities,” said Maggie McCullough, President, PolicyMap.
The basic level of PolicyMap is free as part of TRF’s mission to serve low-wealth people and places. This includes basic mapping tools along with access to any publicly available data such as the U.S. Census, FBI, IRS, HHS and HDMA. More advanced mapping tools and access to any data that PolicyMap has to pay for such as home sales and school performance requires a monthly or yearly subscription ($200 or $2,000 respectively) or site license. Organizations that want instant data updates and unlimited access can integrate the PolicyMap Data API into their existing Web, Map or software platforms or embed the PolicyMap widget onto their website for use by their customers or visitors. This is a popular choice amongst real estate organizations, for example, that want to enable prospective home buyers to find desirable communities or lending partners.
“PolicyMap has quickly and completely transformed how we analyze our markets and plan our investments,” said Alan Quick, Director of Strategic Planning and Research, Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). “Prior to PolicyMap, we spent a lot of time searching for data to really dig into a neighborhood and understand it. We knew the data was out there somewhere, but just finding it was extremely time consuming. Now, it is all at our fingertips in a single, online application. We can find answers quickly, saving us a tremendous amount of time. And, we are using new indicators – data we didn’t even know to look for but found easily on PolicyMap. PolicyMap makes us more knowledgeable and efficient, and actually makes our work fun.”
Additional Resources
- Video demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57llGc5EBnY
- Sample maps and publishable images: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11557/PolicyMap%20Images.zip
- Fact sheet: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11557/The%20new%20policymap%20%20fact%20sheet_Final.docx
About PolicyMap
PolicyMap was established in 2007 as the data mapping and analysis division of The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), a national leader in the financing of neighborhood revitalization programs, founded in 1985. TRF has invested $1.3 billion in community development programs including affordable housing, schools, businesses, supermarkets and other projects that build wealth and opportunity for the people and places that need it the most. TRF partnered with 3D-L to create the technology that powers PolicyMap, leveraging an expertise in displaying geographic data as highly sophisticated and draggable maps in standard Web browsers. Learn more at www.policymap.com or on Twitter @PolicyMap.