In response to the needs of their customers, many Economic Development practitioners have put very specific requirements together for the kinds of toolsets that enable users to understand their region at a subregional level online. In many cases, these solutions involve using GIS technology that enables users to draw radii or drive time polygons around available real estate, employers, or other assets of the region. Based on those requirements and requirements we have seen in the many proposals we have submitted (and won), we compared our product, Atlas InSite to two other leading toolsets, including GIS Planning and Fast Facility.
Atlas InSite - Comparing Leading GIS toolsts for Economic
1. COMMUNICATIONS + TECHNOLOGY
FOR WORLD LANDMARKS.
April 20, 2009
ATLAS WHITE PAPER:
How Atlas InSite Compares with Other Online
GIS-based Web Applications for Economic Development
Contact: Ben Wright, CEO, Atlas Advertising | benw@atlas-advertising.com | 303.292.3300 x210
2. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
TAbLE OF CONTENTS
About Atlas Advertising........................................................................................................................................................... 2
About Atlas InSite..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Requirements Users Have for Economic Development GIS Websites.......................................................................... 5
Requirements ED Practitioners Have for ED GIS Websites............................................................................................ 7
Comparing Three Leading Toolsets ...................................................................................................................................... 8
• Atlas Advertising’s Atlas InSite
• GIS Planning’s Prospector
• Fast Facility Fast GIS
Conclusions................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Appendix: Full Review Table............................................................................................................................................... 12
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3. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
After over a year of due diligence, the Ohio Business Development Coalition selected Atlas Advertising over GIS
Planning and others to create Ohio InSite, a web-based site selection system designed to help active capital investors
find the optimal location in the state. We chose Atlas because we believe that their marketing and lead generation
expertise and the InSite application, which is custom to our state and deeply integrated into our website, will deliver
more capital investment leads to our state.”
— Matt McQuade, Ohio Sales Manager, Ohio Business Development Coalition
AbOUT ATLAS
Atlas Advertising builds landmark brands
in economic development. We have been
successful by never settling for obvious or
tired approaches to our work, and we work
best with clients who want their brand,
advertising, GIS Applications, and websites
to work harder for them.
Atlas Advertising is led by Ben Wright, a
former economic development practitioner.
The firm has worked with 48 different
economic development clients in 26 states. Our approach and experience means that our campaigns generate
an average of three times the response compared to campaigns developed by firms without experience in
economic development.
Our branding and website work has been named among the best in the country by a number of national and
regional marketing groups. Visit us online at www.Atlas-Advertising.com.
2
4. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
AbOUT ATLAS INSITE
Your website is doing more work for you than it ever has. As such, your web presence should be the most
efficient and most compelling tool it can be. It must have an outstanding and differentiated story to tell. It
must contain a reason to call you. And, it must contain the data and property information prospects and site
selectors need to do their analysis of your community.
To meet your needs, Atlas is proud to unveil Atlas InSite, the first GIS based property, business, and data
search toolset that is 100% integrated into your website. This integration means a better experience for your
users, more leads for your organization, fewer tools for your staff to learn and manage, and savings of 20 to 30
percent per year compared to stand alone, cookie cutter systems.
SEEkING TO REALIzE THESE
BENEfITS, OvER 80 PERCENT
Of ECONOmIC DEvELOPmENT
PRACTITIONERS WHO HAvE
RECEIvED A PROPOSAL fROm
ATLAS AND WHO HAvE
CHOSEN A SYSTEm HAvE
CHOSEN ATLAS INSITE.
www.ohiomeansbusiness.com
3
6. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
REqUIREMENTS USERS (SITE SELECTORS AND PROSPECTS)
HAvE FOR ECONOMIC DEvELOPMENT GIS WEbSITES
According to worldwide real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle, in today’s economic development climate, when
a prospect or site selector has reached your website, they have already reviewed 30 to 50 communities, and
settled on yours as one of their final three. This fact is intuitive to all of us – deals are now being announced
within days of when we first know about them. And, sophisticated data sets are now available to site selectors
and prospects, allowing them to do much of the work they do without our help.
According to experienced site selectors, companies go through the following actions when reviewing
communities:
COMPANY ACTIONS ED ACTIONS
Consistent business evaluation Familiarization tours,
1
and assessment email, public relations
Formulating objectives / Relevant branding that gets
2
De ning search area you on the list
Evaluating Websites and search marketing
3
locations that connect and educate
Field Professional site visits and
4
visitations answering when called
Consistent business evaluation Selecting
5
and assessment a community
The model above illustrates that our websites are particularly useful when companies have begun their
evaluation of communities, particularly in what Jones Lang LaSalle professionals would call a “deep dive,”
when a company who is in the final stages of making a selection wants to get to know the leading candidate
communities very well.
5
7. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
WHAT PROSPECTS ALREADY kNOW WHEN THEY REACH OUR WEBSITES:
• Our relative labor cost and availability, at a metro level
• Our relative demographic makeup
• Our general cost and tax structures
• Historical crime rates
• Market wide real estate costs
• General business makeup by industry
IT IS OUR jOB TO EDUCATE PROSPECTS AND SITE SELECTORS ABOUT WHICH LOCATIONS
INSIDE OUR mETRO AREA ARE SUITABLE TO THEm. THIS INCLUDES:
• Identifying and differentiating submarkets within our region
• Showcasing available real estate
• Displaying sub regional characteristics of the region’s labor pool
Skill levels
•
Wage levels
•
Availability
•
• Identifying synergies with existing companies or industries in our region
• Differentiating our communities based on quality of life factors
• Demonstrating current and future access to education
• Communicating what is new and planned for the community
• Connecting users with key community leadership and examples of success
As demonstrated by website statistics, our clients who can deliver this kind of information on their website will
drive the most traffic, the most engagement, and will likely improve prospect activity for their regions.
6
8. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
REqUIREMENTS ED PRACTITIONERS HAvE FOR
ECONOMIC DEvELOPMENT GIS WEbSITES
In response to the needs of their customers (detailed above), many Economic Development practitioners have
put very specific requirements together for the kinds of toolsets that enable users to understand their region
at a subregional level. In many cases, these solutions involve using GIS technology that enable users to draw
radii or drive time polygons around available real estate, employers, or other assets of the region. Based on the
requirements we have seen in the many proposals we have submitted (and won), here are the requirements that
matter most to the profession today:
TOP REqUIREmENTS:
• Customized, intuitive design and interface, integrated with ED website
• Robust property search and property data management tools
• Robust business search tools
• Intuitive data search and map overlays
• Geospatial reports and analysis
• Proactive marketing and traffic building programs
• Intuitive website utilities, such as printable pages, emailable pages
• Solid backing from the company that provides the toolset
7
9. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
COMPARING THREE LEADING TOOLSETS
Our mission at Atlas is simple: To build vitality in the communities we serve. As such, we live by three core
principles every day, each one of which goes into the creation of our marketing campaigns, websites, and
GIS toolsets.
1. Innovate: Companies or communities that do not embrace change do not thrive.
2. Customer orientation: Build tools our clients and their customers want and will use.
3. Measure what you do: Be transparent about the results. This is the way you get better.
In developing Atlas InSite, we have gone to great lengths to listen to our clients’ needs, find solutions to
their problems, and to constantly improve ourselves and our toolsets. In competing for new clients, we have
consistently competed with companies like GIS Planning and Fast Facility. Both companies are experienced in
economic development, and both have scores of clients.
IN OvER 80 PERCENT Of HEAD TO HEAD COmPARISONS THAT HAvE ENDED UP
IN A CONTRACT BEING SIGNED, ATLAS INSITE HAS BEEN CHOSEN OvER BOTH
GIS PLANNING AND fAST fACILITY. OUR SIDE BY SIDE COmPARISON Of THE THREE
COmPANIES’ TOOLSETS TELLS US WHY.
To compare each toolset, we developed detailed criteria (a total of 50+ criteria) for each functional group
of requirements, then rated each one on a scale weighted by the importance of each item. We did our best
to weight these as you would. However, we realize that each client is different, and if you decide to pursue a
review of GIS Applications, we will make our spreadsheet available to you for your use. To request it, email Ben
Wright at Atlas at benw@atlas-advertising.com.
8
10. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
SUMMARY RESULTS
Total score GIS
Criteria available* Atlas InSite Planning Fast Facility
Customized, Intuitive Design and Interface 16 16 5 2
Property Search/ Property Data 24 20 17 18
Business Search 10 10 5 2
Data/Thematic Overlays 9 9 7 6
Geospatial Report Generator 11 8 9 5
Traffic building programs 8 6 4 4
User Website Utilities 4 4 4 3
Administration 8 8 6 4
Company specific criteria 10 8 5 7
Total Scores 100 89 62 51
*Total available scores are based on generalized weighting for criteria, out of 100 points. Source includes multiple conversations with ED
professionals, site selectors, and industry consultants. Scoring is as follows: Where tool presents the feature fully, full points are given. Where
tool presents feature partially, a partial score is given. Where tool does not present feature at all, no points are given. In the company specific
criteria, in areas such as price affordability, the lower the price, the higher the score. See the full review table in the Appendix for full scores and
criteria. Want the full spreadsheet to apply your own criteria? Email Ben Wright at benw@atlas-advertising.com for the spreadsheet.
CONCLUSIONS
1. ATLAS INSITE IS CLEARLY SUPERIOR TO GIS PLANNING AND fAST fACILITY IN THE
AREAS Of INTERfACE, BUSINESS SEARCH, AND ADmINISTRATION.
In head to head competition, Atlas InSite scored higher than either tool in nine out of ten categories,
and in two particular areas had dramatically differentiated offerings. These areas include:
CUSTOmIzED, INTUITIvE DESIGN AND INTERfACE
Whereas GIS Planning and Fast Facility require website users to leave a client’s website to use their
toolsets, Atlas InSite does not. Atlas InSite can be 100% integrated into your website. Further, Atlas
provides custom design and branding, as well as deep integration into clients’ websites, so that the GIS
application becomes part of your website, not a separate add on.
9
11. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
BUSINESS SEARCH
We all know that one important factor in location decisions today is proximity to clusters of like
industries. These locations often provide a larger workforce pool to draw from, and represent synergies for
locating companies. Atlas InSite provides a full featured business search as prominently as property search,
when GIS Planning and Fast Facility do not.
ADmINISTRATION
All three toolsets offer ways for clients to update the content in their application. Atlas is the only one
of the three that has built its InSite application into the industry’s most advanced website content
management system, making the maintenance of your website and your business and property data
available through the same toolset.
2. ATLAS INSITE HAS SOmE OTHER DIffERENTIATED fEATURES IN THE REmAINING
AREAS, BUT ALL THREE TOOLS ARE COmPETITIvE IN THE REmAINING AREAS.
All three toolsets offer similar feature sets on the following criteria, but in each, Atlas offers differentiated
features that are expected to drive adoption and usage.
PROPERTY SEARCH / PROPERTY DATA
All three toolsets offer similar feature sets for Property data. These include basic and advanced site search,
multiple ways to upload real estate data, and more. However, only Atlas InSite enables clients to feature
certain properties so that they come up first in search criteria. This enables you to make sure that your
certified sites or other key properties get the attention they need.
DATA / THEmATIC OvERLAYS
All three toolsets offer some data overlays, such as thematic data, polygons such as power lines, enterprise
zones, and more. However, only Atlas InSite enables users to overlay thematic data, such as unemployment
rates, cost of housing, and more over specific property locations, enabling users to narrow their property
choices by various submarket characteristics.
10
12. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
GEOSPATIAL REPORT GENERATOR
All three toolsets offer radius reports around properties. However, only Atlas InSite and GIS Planning
enable drive time analysis, radius analysis, and cluster analysis of companies. Fast Facility does not offer
these advanced tools to your users.
TRAffIC BUILDING PROGRAmS
Fast Facility and GIS Planning both offer national websites that they believe will drive traffic to your
locality. However, Atlas offers far more robust features in the area of direct lead generation for your
community. These features include an application that is search engine ready, a full suite of analytics, and
other programs at the ready. Further, Atlas has plans to launch a national website for all clients at the end
of 2009.
USER WEBSITE UTILITIES
All three toolsets offer users a variety of tools that help them have a more pleasurable experience online.
These include the ability to print, email, and save reports for later use.
COmPANY SPECIfIC CRITERIA
All three companies are experienced in economic development, have multiple economic development
clients, and offer various levels of training and support to their clients. However, Fast Facility and Atlas can
both provide their toolsets at dramatically lower prices than GIS Planning, often 20 to 30 percent less on
an ongoing basis.
TO LEARN mORE ABOUT ATLAS ADvERTISING AND ATLAS INSITE, CONTACT:
BEN WRIGHT Chief Executive Officer
benw@atlas-advertising.com | 303.292.3300 x210
11
13. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
APPENDIx: FULL REvIEW TAbLE
Total score GIS
Criteria available* Atlas InSite Planning Fast Facility
Customized, Intuitive Design and Interface 16 16 5 2
Seamless integration with current website 4 4 1 0
Customized look and feel 4 4 1 0
Basic integration with ED websites 2 2 1 1
Advanced Integration with ED websites 2 2 0 0
Attractive, Intuitive Interface 4 4 2 1
Property Search/ Property Data 24 20 17 18
Basic search 2 2 2 2
Advanced Search 4 4 4 4
Search for property using radii or drive time 2 0 0
Avail. Summer '09
Featured properties 2 2 0 1
Multiple real estate upload options
! Real time editing one by one 2 2 2 2
!quot;Batch upload from a file 2 2 2 2
!quot;Automated web service from an outside server 4 4 4 4
Enable attachments to property records 2 2 1 1
RSS Feeds of property data 2 2 0 0
Street View property content 2 2 2
Avail. Summer '09
Business Search 10 10 5 2
Featured businesses 2 2 0 0
Search for individual businesses 2 2 1 0
Map industries (major characteristics) 2 2 2 1
Map industries (Six digit NAICS) 2 2 2 1
Run data reports around business locations 2 2 0 0
Data/Thematic Overlays 9 9 7 6
Data for county, zip code, census tract 2 2 2 2
Overlay points and thematic layers on same map 2 2 0 0
Add local data, such as enterprise zones, universities, etc. 2 2 2 2
Aerial imagery as well as street base map options for displaying maps. 2 2 2 2
Demographic heat map 1 1 1 0
Geospatial Report Generator 11 8 9 5
Radius analysis 2 2 2 1
Drive time analysis 2 2 2 1
Industry cluster analysis 2 2 2 1
County or Community reports 2 1 1 1
Custom polygon tools 1 1 0
Avail. Summer '09
Exports to various formats (Word, Excel, PDF) 2 1 1 1
Traffic building programs 8 6 4 4
Search Engine Ready 2 2 0 0
Programs to drive traffic to sub regional entities (cities, counties) 2 2 1 1
Analytics of usage 2 2 1 1
National website 2 2 2
Avail. Winter '09
User Website Utilities 4 4 4 3
12
Printable pages 1 1 1 1
Emailable pages 1 1 1 1
User saved reports for future recall 2 2 2 1
14. Drive time analysis 2 2 2 1
Industry cluster analysis 2 2 2 1
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
County or Community reports 2 1 1 1
Custom polygon tools 1 1 0
Avail. Summer '09
Exports to various formats (Word, Excel, PDF) 2 1 1 1
Traffic building programs 8 6 4 4
Search Engine Ready 2 2 0 0
Programs to drive traffic to sub regional entities (cities, counties) 2 2 1 1
Total2score GIS
Analytics of usage 2 1 1
Criteria website available* Atlas InSite Planning Fast Facility
National 2 2 2
Avail. Winter '09
User WebsiteIntuitive Design and Interface
Customized, Utilities 4 4 4 3
16 16 5 2
Printable pages 1 1 1
Seamless integration with current website 4 4 1 0
Emailable pages 1 1 1
Customized look and feel 4 4 1 0
User integration with future recall
Basic saved reports forED websites 2
2 2 1 1
Advanced Integration with ED websites 2 2 0 0
Attractive, Intuitive Interface 4 4 2 1
Administration 8 8 6 4
Web based administration 4 4 4 2
Property Search/ Property Data 24 20 17 18
Real time publishing of changes 2 2 2 2
Basic same tools used to manage your website
Uses search 2 2 2 2
0 0
Advanced Search 4 4 4 4
Companyfor property using radii or drive time
Search specific criteria 2 0 0
Avail. Summer '09
10 8 5 7
Featured properties 2 2 0 1
Affordable Price Point 7 5 2 4
Multiple real estate upload options
Multiple ED clients 1 1 1 1
! Real time editing one by one 2 2 2 2
Training 1 1 1 1
Documentation !quot;Batch upload from a file 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
!quot;Automated web service from an outside server 4 4 4 4
Total Scores
Enable attachments to property records 2 2 1 1
100 89 62 51
RSS Feeds of property data 2 2 0 0
Street View property content 2 2 2
Avail. Summer '09
*Total available scores are based on generalized weighting for criteria, out of 100 points. Source includes multiple conversations with ED
professionals, site selectors, and industry consultants. Scoring is as follows: Where tool presents the feature fully, full points are given. Where tool
Business Search 10 10 5 2
presents feature partially, a partial score is given. Where tool does not present feature at all, no points are given. In the company specific criteria, in
Featured businesses 2 2 0 0
areas such as price affordability, the lower the price, the higher the score. Want the full spreadsheet to apply your own criteria? Email Ben Wright at
Search for individual businesses 2 2 1 0
benw@atlas-advertising.com for the spreadsheet.
Map industries (major characteristics) 2 2 2 1
Map industries (Six digit NAICS) 2 2 2 1
Run data reports around business locations 2 2 0 0
Data/Thematic Overlays 9 9 7 6
Data for county, zip code, census tract 2 2 2 2
Overlay points and thematic layers on same map 2 2 0 0
Add local data, such as enterprise zones, universities, etc. 2 2 2 2
Aerial imagery as well as street base map options for displaying maps. 2 2 2 2
Demographic heat map 1 1 1 0
Geospatial Report Generator 11 8 9 5
Radius analysis 2 2 2 1
Drive time analysis 2 2 2 1
Industry cluster analysis 2 2 2 1
County or Community reports 2 1 1 1
Custom polygon tools 1 1 0
Avail. Summer '09
Exports to various formats (Word, Excel, PDF) 2 1 1 1
Traffic building programs 8 6 4 4
Search Engine Ready 2 2 0 0
Programs to drive traffic to sub regional entities (cities, counties) 2 2 1 1
Analytics of usage 2 2 1 1
National website TO LEARN mORE ABOUT ATLAS ADvERTISING 2 AND ATLAS INSITE, CONTACT:
2 2
Avail. Winter '09
BEN WRIGHT Chief Executive Officer
User Website Utilities 4 4 4 3
Printable pages benw@atlas-advertising.com | 303.292.3300 x210 1
1 1 1
Emailable pages 1 1 1 1
User saved reports for future recall 2 2 2 1
Administration 8 8 6 4
13
Web based administration 4 4 4 2
Real time publishing of changes 2 2 2 2