Pitney Bowes MapInfo Vertical Mapper - Manual (Page 56)

Understanding the Location Profiler Model
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Vertical Mapper 3.7
Creating Grids using Spatial Models
Modeling techniques create grids of derived values. The modeling wizard enables you to create grid
files using two basic techniques.
Understanding the Location Profiler Model
The Location Profiler computes and averages the distance to a series of points from anywhere
within a map area. The algorithm generates a grid, where at each cell a value is calculated that
represents the average distance to all point locations surrounding that cell and lying within a defined
search radius. You are creating a geographic profile of an area that measures proximity to a series
of sites using spatial relationships (spacing, distribution, and density). By identifying those locations
on the map that are the shortest average distance to all or some of the sites, the grid file can be used
to represent geographic centres of activity. The model can be further refined to take into account
weighting factors that specify the relative influence of each site compared with those surrounding it.
Three settings are critical to making the Location Profiler a truly effective modeling tool:
• the number of points to which the distance is computed from each grid node
• the relative influence or weighting of each point in the averaging calculation
• the distance decay function of the weighting factor
Location Profiler The Location Profiler creates a model where cell values are calculated
as the average distance to all points found within a user-defined radius.
Trade Area
Analysis - Single
Site Trade area analysis enables you to generate trade areas around stores
or other services based on the probability of an individual patronizing a
particular location.
The trade area for a single site is calculated using the distance
customers live from the site and the ability of the site to attract them.
Cell values represent the probability of a customer patronizing the site.
Trade Area
Analysis - Multiple
Site Trade areas for multiple sites are calculated using the distance
customers live from the site and the ability of the site to attract them.
Cell values represent the probability of a customer patronizing any one
of the sites in the selection.