Address data analysis

With geocoded addresses, you can spatially display the address locations and begin to recognize patterns within the information. This can be done by simply looking at the information or by using some of the analysis tools available with ArcGIS. You can also display your address information based on certain parameters, allowing you to further analyze the information.

As illustrated in the figure on the right, the annual record of burglaries was initially created by geocoding a database table of burglaries that consisted of an address for each. The illustrations show how the geocoded addresses were presented according to time, season, and day of the week to assist in crime prevention planning. Additional analysis tools available in ArcGIS could be used to further analyze the information to identify patterns.

Customer data management

Geocoding acts as a crucial part of customer data management. Nearly every organization maintains address information for each customer or client. This is usually in a tabular format, containing the customer name, address, buying habits, and any other information you have collected. Geocoding allows you to take your customer information and create a map of their locations. Using a variety of related applications, you can use this information in many ways, from establishing marketing strategies to targeting specific clusters of customers to producing route maps and directions. The geocoded locations of your customers can be invaluable data.

Distributed geocoding applications

There is a wide range of methods that you can use to share your geocoding functionality. These include everything from collecting the needed material and sharing via a compressed file or compact disc to developing an online application, allowing users to do geocoding over the Internet.

For example, many real estate firms have found advantages in distributing information about available real estate via the Internet. By combining the database of available homes and ArcGIS Web services, the spatial and nonspatial information about a home can be distributed to a wide audience.