Trade Area Analyst LT Software
What is Trade Area Analyst LT?
Trade Area Analyst LT uses Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to map data collected by zip codes. While GIS is a powerful technology with many uses, the purpose of GIS in this application is to transform simple database information into a map format. Performing this transformation allows the user to view the spatial arrangement of the tabular data and discover relationships that may not be readily apparent in a database.
As an example, consider a list of zip codes that represent customers to a business. The list of zip codes shows those areas that contain the most customers. However, it does not answer any additional questions. When the list is transformed using GIS, the resultant map will allow the user to explore questions such as:
• How far are customers traveling to the business or community?
• Are customers located in a compact manner around the community or are they dispersed?
• Are customers concentrated in one direction from the community?
• Do customer origins vary by the day of the week? Time of day?
These type of questions, as well as others relevant to different applications, can be examined by mapping zip code information with Trade Area Analyst LT.
Although other desktop GIS software packages exist, the learning curve for these systems can be steep. Furthermore, these packages can be expensive and contain many functions the average user will never need. Trade Area Analyst LT takes a commonly used GIS application and puts it into a dedicated, easy-to-use software package. If additional features or functions are necessary, consider purchasing and learning one of the aforementioned advanced desktop GIS systems. In short, Trade Area Analyst LT is not everything to everyone. It is intended for community and business trade area definition as well as mapping any data collected using zip codes. While each user will use the software in his or her own way, below is a discussion of possible uses for Trade Area Analyst LT.
A site license for the software may be obtained for $350, or you can become a "CCED Partner" and receive a free review copy of the software. Reviewers will be required to submit a one page proposal describing how they intend to use the software and how they will credit the Center for Community Economic Development. For more information on how to obtain a licensed version of the Trade Area Analyst LT software, contact: Bill Pinkovitz, bill.pinkovitz@uwex.edu , (608)265-8255.
