Capability mapping is the process of outlining what abilities a business has to achieve its goals. It can include examination of technology, human resources and how work is approached. Each capability is analyzed for its ability to move the business forward. This process is a way to understand what resources the business possesses, how well it uses them and what improvements are needed to make the organization successful.
The overall function of capability mapping is to define what the business is able to do, rather than how it does it. How this information is organized depends on the size and complexity of the organization. In a large company, a major capability might consist of several additional sub-capabilities.
When mapping capabilities, the first step is determining the major capabilities. Then these are examined individually for their contribution to the overall organization. By understanding these separate abilities, it is possible for the weaknesses in each to be corrected and for the efficiency of the organization as a whole to be increased.
If done correctly, capability mapping will enable a business to streamline operations by revealing inefficiencies and other signs of waste. After an organization has an accurate capability map, it is possible to create another version of the document that outlines where the company would like to be. Thus, the exercise can provide illumination on the current state of the organization while laying the groundwork for future improvements.
When making projections, it can be helpful for related major capabilities to be linked so that the distribution of work can be planned. It can also show how different departments might share certain capabilities or might at least have the resources to help improve a capability outside of the department. This also helps to make a meaningful whole out of all the various abilities of an organization.
Efficient capability mapping captures the less-variable essence of an organization. Although the way in which business is conducted might change frequently, the central purpose and offerings of a company typically will be more stable. It is a framework upon which the business can grow and change.
By periodically engaging in capability mapping, a company can continually fine-tune its operations. Making updates to previous analyses can help keep an organization competitive and up to date with market innovations by revealing weak points in the company’s systems. It also can help maximize the effect of any reorganization.
Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping is the practice of turning geographic data into usable visual references for analysis. The modern process of GIS mapping incorporates various tools, including computer hardware and GIS mapping software, to accomplish this objective. GIS mapping software specifically enables a user to quickly refine raw information into usable data. The end product can be utilized in a wide range of applications, from scientific land surveying to urban planning and development.
At its core, GIS is the application of maps and map data to solve real-world problems. This does not necessarily mean electronically, though that has become increasingly implicit in the 21st century. In fact, however, the idea of using maps to solve problems has existed for years. The first known application of this was related to tracing a cholera outbreak to a single water well in Victorian London.
The development of computer technology, beginning in the 1950s, greatly advanced the depth and scale of the ways in which GIS mapping could be used. Since that time, it has become ubiquitous and GIS mapping tools are used every day by millions of people. Modern GIS mapping software is generally focused around digitized satellite imagery or physical maps. Specific to GIS purposes, location coordinates and topographical information are added to provide specific geographical references for data.
A basic example of what GIS mapping software can do might involve plugging in the latitudes and longitudes of recent earthquakes into a program, and overlaying that on top of a map of the world. The results would indicate, for instance, that the west coast of the United States is far more prone to earthquakes than the east coast. This data could be a useful factor in determining insurance rates, or structural requirements for new bridge and road construction, among other things.
GIS mapping software is heavily used in the field of demographics. Perhaps the most important single piece of GIS mapping software in the 21st century has been Google Maps®. A free, open source service, it can be used by anyone with coding ability to create so-called mashups of demographic information and map data.
Google Maps® is far from the only GIS mapping software that exists, but its importance lies in the fact that its open source nature has brought GIS mapping to the masses. It has allowed amateur coders to create maps showing the prevalence of crime in particular city neighborhoods, recent lightning strikes, and traffic jams, for example. While perhaps not lucrative enough to prompt a private firm to charge for these things, they can nevertheless be highly useful.
Professional and industry users — such as urban developers, architects, and government agencies — typically use more specialized GIS mapping software that may be more geared to a specific function, rather than the general approach supplied by Google Maps®. This kind of software can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but is necessary to handle the high volume of technical data such use requires. Typically, these kinds of programs require extensive training both to program in and interpret the data that is generated.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are the software programs that provide electronic images of maps. These programs are typically designed to work in cars, cell phones, or other personal digital assistant (PDA) devices that support mobile GIS. This software helps people find the most efficient route to a specific destination.
There are many types of mobile GIS devices available for a car. Some newer cars have advanced audio systems that include built-in navigation systems. The pure portable GIS system is typically a small screen that can be mounted to the window of an automobile by using an adaptable suction cup. The system is powered by an external cord, which can be plugged into the cigarette lighter port of an automobile.
Many GIS systems include a voice directory assistance playback. This voice playback gives turn-by-turn direction to a specific location. Most voice playbacks can be either male or female in gender tone. The assistant warns the driver of upcoming turns or issues. The system will also alert the driver when he has made a mistake and assist him by plotting a new course.
Some newer mobile GIS applications include traffic alert features. These systems use satellites, which are tuned into real-time traffic reports. The system will notify the driver of unexpected traffic delays and plot a new course around the heavy traffic.
Traffic signal cameras have become a new method for law enforcement to catch drivers when they run traffic signs. Many GIS applications include a pre-built feature to warn the driver of an upcoming traffic camera. These cameras are documented by local law enforcement, which makes them available to GIS software programs.
Trip duration is another feature that is available on mobile GIS devices. This function calculates the estimated time to arrival based on speed and distance. The GIS device uses satellite monitoring to track the real-time speed of a car. This information is fed into the GIS system to determine the remaining time between locations.
Mobile GIS systems are not limited to automobiles. They are also used by hikers as a method of tracking coordinates. Many hand-held units can be easily carried in a backpack and are battery operated. These mobile devices can send beacon signals if the hiker gets into an accident. Rescue teams have advanced monitoring tools that receive beacon signals. This data is then used as a mapping device to determine the fastest route to the individual.
A mapping service allows users to see street maps, topographical maps, and with some, the view from space. Many mapping services have gone online and are browser based, allowing anyone with Internet access to use their services free of charge. Some of the popular online mapping services include Google maps, Yahoo maps, Mapquest.com.
There are also desktop applications, such as Microsoft Map Point®, which obtains map data from an web service run by Microsoft®. The desktop mapping applications allow data to be imported from an Excel spreadsheet and placed on a map. This feature can be very useful in conjunction with customer based software for creating route maps for sales travel and other purposes. Since these applications also use a web based mapping service for their updates, road construction and other changes to map data will be pulled into the software.
Recently, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have become exceedingly popular. A GPS unit uses satellite signals to determine the position of the receiver. Then internal map software is used to display the current position and route to the user. These devices also obtain updates from mapping services, but the updates are typically not free to the user after the first update. Some of the popular GPS devices can accept maps and or routes prepared by an online mapping service. This allows a user to create the route they need on a PC and send the map to the GPS device.
Mapping services are also becoming available for use on mobile phones that are web enabled. This will allow a user of the phone to access a map service to get directions or locate an address. Some wireless providers include their own mapping application to handle these requests while others use existing mapping services either directly through the phones browser or through a downloadable application that connects to a particular mapping service via the web.
Google® has taken their mapping service to another level by creating an Application Programming Interface (API), which allows users to create their own map driven applications based on the Google mapping service. Many applications, from real estate company websites to event maps, are being built on the map application from Google. Another feature that has been added to their mapping service is street level views for some cities. This allows a maps user to look at a photo of the street they have entered into the application. The street view service is only available in some markets.
The capabilities of online mapping services have come a long way since being introduced. It remains to be seen just how far the giant companies of the web take these extremely useful applications.
Network mapping is the act of creating a diagram that illustrates the connectivity of servers, computers, and other related devices and components that are part of a network. In order to create clear, thorough network diagrams, many professionals such as Information Technology (IT) professionals and office managers, use network mapping software that is installed or downloaded onto a computer. To choose the best network mapping software, it can be useful to consider the size and number of networks that you need to map, the features that you would like from the software, and the amount of money you want to spend.
Varieties of network mapping software range from the simple to the complex. Those who need only to map a small number of computers and work stations, one server, and other components, such as printers, may want to consider software that includes the minimal amount of icons and modules. Professionals who choose this simpler kind of software are normally dealing with Local Area Networks (LANs) in small offices.
IT professionals and business managers who are responsible for Wide Area Networks (WANs) that span across several locations and which may contain hidden or un-discoverable components often want a more complex network mapping software. This kind of software can provide users with a number of different modules and viewpoints. The number of icons in this kind of software is often much greater.
Different kinds of network mapping software come with varying features. One of the most common features is the ability to create your own icons and labels. This is a great choice for professionals who are mapping complex systems with ever changing functions and components. Individuals who are more interested in saving time and mapping simple networks often prefer mapping features that contain default icons and labels.
The prices of different kinds of network mapping software also vary. Some types can be downloaded for free online. These tend to be some of the more simplistic kinds of software with limited icons and modules. In general, as the price of the network mapping software increases, the complexity and number of different functions also increases. Choosing the best software is often a matter of determining the complexity and number of features you need versus the amount of money that you have on your budget.
Many professionals who must use this kind of software choose to take recommendations from colleagues who have had good experience with a certain kind of software. Others may choose software that is well established and which has served a number of high profile clients. A good way to choose the best software may be to learn which kinds are used by businesses and organizations similar to your own.
