GIS Data Appliance for Regional Business Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geographic information systems (GIS) are inadequate for businesses seeking to expand or relocate, as they fail to provide relevant data on regional economic growth, tax rates, transportation accessibility, technological expertise, and demographics, leading to inefficient decision-making and reliance on consulting firms for incomplete information.
Innovation Solution
An integrated, web-based GIS system that compiles and displays diverse economic and demographic data, allowing users to search, compare, and communicate with economic development organizations (EDOs) through a user-friendly interface, enabling businesses to identify suitable regions and market their services effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional GIS systems are used, then basic geographic data can be accessed, but comprehensive economic and demographic data for business decision-making cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data sources including economic data, demographic data, geographic data, and EDO information into a single integrated GIS system. This merging of previously separate data systems enables comprehensive business decision-making capabilities while maintaining system adaptability through unified data management.
Solution Approach 2:
The GIS system is designed to serve multiple functions: displaying economic data, demographic data, geographic information, and EDO contacts in a single platform. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems while preserving the adaptability needed for various business decision-making scenarios.
2Loss of information
If consulting firms are used to compile data, then some regional information can be obtained, but the information is limited and incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-compiles and organizes comprehensive economic, demographic, and geographic data from multiple sources before users need it. This preliminary preparation of complete information eliminates the need for businesses to rely on limited consulting firm reports, providing immediate access to complete regional data for faster decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated GIS system acts as an intermediary between multiple data sources (government agencies, EDOs, private organizations) and businesses seeking regional information. This intermediary consolidates data from numerous sources into a complete, accessible format, improving both information completeness and decision-making efficiency.
3Loss of information
If multiple economic development organizations are contacted, then more regional information may be obtained, but confusion increases due to overlapping responsibilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments and attributes specific data and services to individual EDOs within the integrated GIS platform. Each EDO's responsibilities, contact information, and relevant data are clearly segmented and displayed, eliminating confusion about overlapping responsibilities while maintaining comprehensive data availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The GIS system serves as an intermediary that organizes and presents information from multiple EDOs in a clear, structured manner. It mediates between the complexity of multiple organizational responsibilities and the user's need for clear, actionable information about which EDO to contact for specific needs.
4Loss of information
If comprehensive data is integrated into a single system, then data completeness improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves comprehensive data integration through a universal GIS platform that handles multiple data types (economic, demographic, geographic, EDO information) within a single technical framework. This universal approach provides complete data while avoiding the complexity of maintaining multiple separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system automatically manages data from multiple sources through standardized interfaces and protocols, reducing the manual complexity of integration. The system self-organizes the comprehensive data it collects, presenting it in an accessible format without requiring complex user-side management of the underlying system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes systems and methods that permit users to research, identify and compare geographical regions for purposes of business formation, expansion or relocation decision making. The systems and methods include receiving, compiling and formatting data from a plurality of sources for use in the GIS system, populating a searchable database with the GIS data, and enabling the user to search the data using demographic, economic and other search parameters to identify and compare geographic locations of interest. The data further includes information provided by participating economic development organizations, enabling such data to be included in user search parameters, and permitting such third parties to provide commentary on regional data, and to market their regions and services to prospective businesses. The systems and methods also enable a user compare multiple regions of interest via an interface that displays different datasets selected by the user via tabs or buttons, and to generate reports using comparative data specifically selected by the user.