What's New in PCensus 8.6

 

See what was new in Previous Versions of PCensus...

 

 
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SiteScore - Calculating Scores and Statistics in Target Lists

The SiteScore feature provides a method of scoring target list dimensions; for example to assign a score of 100 to high income areas or 1 to low-income areas. Scores for different dimensions can be mathematically combined, allowing us to identify areas with optimum combinations of characteristics.


For example, we may have established that a product would appeal to wealthy, well-educated, aging consumers. Ideally, we would like to find areas that satisfy all three criteria, but this requirement might be too restrictive, resulting in a very small number of candidate areas. In this case, we require a method for computing the overall performance of each target; a target would not necessarily be excluded on the basis of a somewhat lower value for one variable if the other two variables are exceptionally favorable.


SiteScore provides a method for characterizing variables by a “score” as opposed to an actual value. For example, if the median income of a ZIP code is high compared to other ZIP codes in the study area, the block group might score 90 or more, while if it is very low it might score 10 or less.

 

Because the scores for each variable are numeric, they can be combined to calculate a combined score.

 

 

The “Wealthy, Elderly, Educated” column contains a composite score combining scores for age, income and education; we can see that ZIP code 98262 scores well in all three categories.

The SiteScore feature provides a simple method for defining composite scores, applying weighting factors, and applying specific scores for defined value ranges.

 

 

Improved Data-importing System

The three methods for importing data into PCensus (create new database, extend existing database and import data for mapping) have been combined into a single process. 

 

The principal benefit of this development is that point level data such as customer records can be attached to an existing database as a new “point” summary level, and will automatically be summarized to the geographies defined in the PCensus data (e.g. places, counties and states).

 

Multiple Extensions to Databases

When importing data to PCensus, you can now attach multiple data files to a single database (provided that each consecutive file represents the same set of geographical points).  This feature overcomes the limitation that most

 

Refresh Imported Data

A method is now provided to assist in refreshing imported database when source data has changed.

 

Import “Unique” Data Items

Formerly, only numerical data types (e.g. customer spending) could be imported. PCensus can now also import text data (e.g. “cat”, “dog”, “goldfish”), as well as values that cannot be usefully aggregated (e.g. customer age). 

 

Simplified Selection of Map Regions to Define Study Areas

The Study Area Wizard now includes an option for selecting mapped objects to create study areas.  Previously, this required canceling the Wizard and creating study areas manually.

 

Study Area Based on Map Window

The study area wizard now includes an option to create a rectangular study area based on the extent of the current map window.

 

Improved handling of “Donut” study areas

The process for defining polygon study areas containing “holes” and “islands” has been extensively revised and simplified.  In addition, selected map areas containing holes are now treated automatically as “donut” areas (i.e. the hole is excluded from the study area).

 

Ability to Change Reference Area in Executive Summary

Executive Summary reports can now display references to a specified “Benchmark” area.

 

Saved Reference Areas

Study Areas can be saved and retrieved as Benchmark areas so that they do not need to be redefined in later projects

 

Lifestyle Statistics

PCensus now computes a statistical summary for each dimension specified in a target list.