Instantatlas
Encyclopedia
InstantAtlas is a data visualization
and reporting tool used for communicating location-based statistical data held in spreadsheets and desktop Geographic Information System
software. InstantAtlas is used by analysts, researchers, statisticians and GIS professionals. It provides tools to load data into pre-built templates, then tailor and brand the outputs, dynamic reports, to meet an almost infinite range of styles and audience capabilities. The dynamic reports utilise a range of graphical data presentation techniques to present a rich and intuitive picture of the data allowing end-users to discover patterns, trends, relationships and anomilies. The dynamic reports are examples of Rich Internet application
s (RIAs). They are often described by customers as interactive atlases, area profiles, performance dashboards, and scorecards.
network.
(1) Publisher enables users to load their chosen geographic data and publish it in a dynamic report;
(2) Designer and Style Editor allow users to customise and brand their dynamic reports;
(3) Data Manager is used to store indicator-based data in Microsoft Excel or Access and publish it as an XML data file; and
(4) Templates are pre-built styles of outputs and include Single Map, Double Map, Area Profile, Performance Analysis, and Funnel Plot.
InstantAtlas Desktop is used by government, commercial companies and non-profits across the world for the presentation of geographic patterns and temporal trends in data in areas like public health, poverty and social deprivation, geodemographics, crime mapping
, election results, performance reporting, economic monitoring, housing and education.
InstantAtlas Server is a specialist, enterprise-scale web reporting solution for managing and disseminating geographically spread indicator data. Instead of storing data in files and publishing regular outputs as you would with InstantAtlas Desktop, you manage data in a standard relational database such as Microsoft SQL Server
or Oracle Database
. You can also pull data dynamically from other external information systems. InstantAtlas Server solutions can be termed Local information systems
, Community Information Systems (see Community indicators
), 'Neighborhood Reporting Systems' and 'Area Profiling Tools'. The product occupies a niche space between more mainstream areas of Business Intelligence
and Geographic Information System
s. The two primary styles of report output are area profiles and interactive 'data views'. The product is used for a wide range of international, national, regional and local solutions globally. The technical and licensing model means it is well suited to federated web-based administration, often by a partnership of organisations, and unlimited levels of end-user access (with content access managed through user logins).
One of the primary drivers for customers is the need to engage better with citizens and empower communities with neighborhood level information through online channels. For example, Department of Health, New Zealand, uses it to publicly present patterns and trends in a wide range of health conditions across the country while Diabetes UK
, a national charity, use it to highlight the differences in local service provision to citizens and to make their own lobbying more effective.
Integrating dynamic reports - InstantAtlas dynamic reports have been integrated into a number of third party products and solutions (examples include OLAP statistical reporting tools, performance management systems) as an effective method of enhancing data visualization and mapping capabilities. It is relatively easy to support a data feed based on the InstantAtlas XML schema.
Integration with ESRI software - InstantAtlas currently integrates with ESRI's ArcGIS
product through a free toolbar add-in. InstantAtlas Server allows you to pull your geographic data dynamically from ArcGIS Server.
Data visualization
Data visualization is the study of the visual representation of data, meaning "information that has been abstracted in some schematic form, including attributes or variables for the units of information"....
and reporting tool used for communicating location-based statistical data held in spreadsheets and desktop Geographic Information System
Geographic Information System
A geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
software. InstantAtlas is used by analysts, researchers, statisticians and GIS professionals. It provides tools to load data into pre-built templates, then tailor and brand the outputs, dynamic reports, to meet an almost infinite range of styles and audience capabilities. The dynamic reports utilise a range of graphical data presentation techniques to present a rich and intuitive picture of the data allowing end-users to discover patterns, trends, relationships and anomilies. The dynamic reports are examples of Rich Internet application
Rich Internet application
A Rich Internet Application is a Web application that has many of the characteristics of desktop application software, typically delivered either by way of a site-specific browser, via a browser plug-in, independent sandboxes, extensive use of JavaScript, or virtual machines...
s (RIAs). They are often described by customers as interactive atlases, area profiles, performance dashboards, and scorecards.
History
InstantAtlas was developed by Geowise Ltd, a software company founded in 1997 and based in Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. In 2008 Geowise was acquired by ESRI Holdings Ltd. It is now managed and run independently as a sister company to ESRI (UK), which is a part of the global ESRIESRI
Esri is a software development and services company providing Geographic Information System software and geodatabase management applications. The headquarters of Esri is in Redlands, California....
network.
Products
InstantAtlas Desktop is a tool for creating richly interactive dynamic reports, often termed 'atlases', for publication to a wider user audience. In many cases the dynamic reports are published on web sites to support interactive data exploration and communication. However they can also be used in standalone mode with no need for web or server connections. In this form they are ideal for supporting interactive presentations and demonstrations. The product has four components:(1) Publisher enables users to load their chosen geographic data and publish it in a dynamic report;
(2) Designer and Style Editor allow users to customise and brand their dynamic reports;
(3) Data Manager is used to store indicator-based data in Microsoft Excel or Access and publish it as an XML data file; and
(4) Templates are pre-built styles of outputs and include Single Map, Double Map, Area Profile, Performance Analysis, and Funnel Plot.
InstantAtlas Desktop is used by government, commercial companies and non-profits across the world for the presentation of geographic patterns and temporal trends in data in areas like public health, poverty and social deprivation, geodemographics, crime mapping
Crime mapping
Crime mapping is used by analysts in law enforcement agencies to map, visualize, and analyze crime incident patterns. It is a key component of crime analysis and the CompStat policing strategy...
, election results, performance reporting, economic monitoring, housing and education.
InstantAtlas Server is a specialist, enterprise-scale web reporting solution for managing and disseminating geographically spread indicator data. Instead of storing data in files and publishing regular outputs as you would with InstantAtlas Desktop, you manage data in a standard relational database such as Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database server, developed by Microsoft: It is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network...
or Oracle Database
Oracle Database
The Oracle Database is an object-relational database management system produced and marketed by Oracle Corporation....
. You can also pull data dynamically from other external information systems. InstantAtlas Server solutions can be termed Local information systems
Local information systems
The term Local Information System has emerged over the last 5 years, primarily in the UK public sector. To date it is not widely used elsewhere although other terms like ' apply to solutions, primarily in North America, that have a great deal of overlap. Another widely used and largely synonymous...
, Community Information Systems (see Community indicators
Community indicators
Community indicators are "measurements that provide information about past and current trends and assist planners and community leaders in making decisions that affect future outcomes"...
), 'Neighborhood Reporting Systems' and 'Area Profiling Tools'. The product occupies a niche space between more mainstream areas of Business Intelligence
Business intelligence
Business intelligence mainly refers to computer-based techniques used in identifying, extracting, and analyzing business data, such as sales revenue by products and/or departments, or by associated costs and incomes....
and Geographic Information System
Geographic Information System
A geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
s. The two primary styles of report output are area profiles and interactive 'data views'. The product is used for a wide range of international, national, regional and local solutions globally. The technical and licensing model means it is well suited to federated web-based administration, often by a partnership of organisations, and unlimited levels of end-user access (with content access managed through user logins).
One of the primary drivers for customers is the need to engage better with citizens and empower communities with neighborhood level information through online channels. For example, Department of Health, New Zealand, uses it to publicly present patterns and trends in a wide range of health conditions across the country while Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is a patient, healthcare professional and research charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with diabetes and to working towards a future without the chronic condition diabetes....
, a national charity, use it to highlight the differences in local service provision to citizens and to make their own lobbying more effective.
Integrating dynamic reports - InstantAtlas dynamic reports have been integrated into a number of third party products and solutions (examples include OLAP statistical reporting tools, performance management systems) as an effective method of enhancing data visualization and mapping capabilities. It is relatively easy to support a data feed based on the InstantAtlas XML schema.
Integration with ESRI software - InstantAtlas currently integrates with ESRI's ArcGIS
ArcGIS
ArcGIS is a suite consisting of a group of geographic information system software products produced by Esri.ArcGIS is a system for working with maps and geographic information...
product through a free toolbar add-in. InstantAtlas Server allows you to pull your geographic data dynamically from ArcGIS Server.
Examples
- Pan-American Health Organisation Influenza Spread: InstantAtlas Desktop Americas
- Leicestershire Statistics & Research Online: InstantAtlas Desktop UK
- Community Health Profiles: InstantAtlas Server UK
- Norfolk Insight: InstantAtlas Server UK
- Public Health Information Online: InstantAtlas Server New Zealand