..bringing the power of
spatial technology to your business!
On this page you will find information which explains the links between you, the person
or business with a spatial or "mapping" problem to address, the GIS software
"tools" available, and the service providers like ourselves, who's job it is to
bring it all together. This is not a page concerned with "technology" as such,
see our Introduction to GIS page for that.. Rather it attempts
to shed some light on this little known multi billion dollar a year industry, to help make
it work for you without sending you into debt or becoming the latest owner of a fully
licensed copy of GIS White Elephant® "the
world's most popular GIS and Desktop Mapping Solution.." There's a "Quick
Start" what you need to get up and running here.
No matter what GIS or other mapping application you use, the MapMakers Australia
support team offer you the same, high quality professional support.
Comparison between MapMakers Australia,
and other service providers..
The benefits you'll gain
from working with MapMakers Australia
What range of software is available?
MapMakers Australia run a wide range of software
applications, and have been doing so since 1985.
Most others use and sell only the
software of one major company.
This allows us to offer our experience and
professional support to users, regardless of your existing software.
What is the relationship between most
service providers and the "big" GIS companies?
Most are contractually bound to use and sell the products of
only one company.
Unlike virtually all other service providers, MapMakers Australia are
not agents for any software manufacturer..
This means we are not restricted to
recommending solutions, based on software which may not be optimally suited, or even
capable of addressing your particular needs.
Our GIS technicians don't understand what
I want, and I haven't a clue what their "techno-babble" means..!
We have technological expertise AND extensive experience in most application areas.
Most
other providers have technological OR
application expertise.
A typical approach to problem solving involves
GIS technologists responding to the requests of specialist professionals, and
increasingly, non specialist community groups. Lack of a common "language" and
experience base often causes misunderstanding, frustration and inefficient re-working.
Because
we understand where you're coming from and wish to go, and understand how to get
there, our services are both effective and efficient.
Acquiring the right GIS software
and learning how to use it..
Almost all GIS businesses use this approach:
Sell you expensive software as a first step. After all, this is where the big profits
lie (A$3,000.00 should get you to the starting grid, if you listen to a standard sales
pitch!)
Then sell you expensive training courses so you can begin to use their software (we
regularly hear from training course "victims"..)
Use "imaginary" training materials which mean nothing in the real world, and
certainly don't consider your own personal or organisation's needs.
Our approach is entirely different:
We don't sell expensive commercial software, but with a Support Policy can recommend
where your needs will be met effectively and cost efficiently.
Regardless of which GIS you choose, the documentation supplied with your software is
your primary reference source. You cannot come to terms with any GIS application if you
are not prepared to read, actively engage with and routinely consult documentation. GIS
Software Support is NOT a replacement for documentation, but an adjunct to it.
We do provide training, but it is always tailored to your needs. A GIS Software Support
Policy is NOT the same as training. Our prices are very reasonable and we
are completely flexible. We cater for the needs of all, from complete novices to hardened
veterans!
We use "real world" data and whenever possible, this is data for your own
region of interest. We believe this is the only way to make training relevant. Lets face
it, who needs to know about this stuff anyway, unless they have a problem to solve, or
wish to gain a deeper understanding of their own corner of the planet?
Support for GIS software
Support options.
Most providers offer support
(phone, fax, E-mail) on an "incident" basis, or unlimited support for an annual
fee. This support is confined to technical aspects of using their software.
MapMakers also offer incident based, and annual fee support options.
We don't mind what software you use (check with
us first), and we also include support for your specialised application areas.
Per incident. A$120* per hour (min 0.5 hr). This entitles you to phone, E-mail and fax
responses. Response times usually same day, often immediate.
Annual Fee. A$450* per individual, for unlimited phone, e-mail and fax responses. Please
include this text - "Initiate Support Policy" in the "Project Summary.."
box of the form.
Comparison between MapMakers Australia,
and other service providers..
The benefits you'll gain from working with
MapMakers Australia
A likely first encounter with
"GIS"..
You probably reached this site because you'd like a "map" that
shows you something specific, but can't find it in an Atlas? GIS (geographical information
systems) are software tools used to create such maps.
In the GIS and technology business
generally, a few large corporations monopolise the industry. Typically they enter into
agreements with local and regional small businesses, to promote and sell their GIS and
desktop mapping products.
The retail price of such software typically starts in the $2-3,000.00 bracket.
While development costs are high for any software, the profit margins are huge, so it is
quite understandable why the majority of businesses happily tie themselves in with one of
the big players - it's their bread and butter!
Unfortunately for you, the individual or business with a specific
information or knowledge gap to fill, it means most businesses you approach with this in
mind, or who approach you, will have as their prime objective, selling you a copy of their
software.
They don't so much care that it is the best solution, as the next pitch will
be to offer you often irrelevant training (more $$), followed by "customising"
applications (more $$ still) to hopefully do what you wanted in the first place!
MapMakers' approach is different. We listen carefully to your requirements. We can then
offer a solution based on immediate and / or strategic needs, but free of any pressure to
lock you into expensive proprietary solutions. Almost always there is something "off
the shelf" which will do what you need.
Where do people learn about GIS?
Typically there are three main areas where GIS practitioners learn:
From private companies, offering training courses to learn how a particular software
package works.
On the job, or in-at-the-deep-end. Especially true for professionals in the workplace.
Most large organisations have some sort of "spatial" software. Depending on
size, some offer in-house training (usually provided by an I.T. department), while many
use the training services offered by the large software firms who tend to monopolise
corporate GIS.
At tertiary education level. While not widely offered, some colleges and universities
offer GIS modules (for example geography, environmental science, or surveying), or even
complete spatial technology courses. Courses are varied in depth and content. For some, it
is an introductory module in a computer science course. Most institutions use one of the
major commercial GIS software packages for teaching purposes.
MapMakers' staff have a great deal of experience in all these
areas. Because of this we know the benefits and weaknesses of each approach.
The net
result is that we offer you the very best, impartial advice and / or instruction, designed
to address your own needs. We can put put you in touch with proprietary trainers in your
region if necessary, or organise customised courses involving our own trainers and / or
other specialists, as required.
A willingness to actively read and understand the documentation
supplied with your GIS software.
Some digital "map" data.
As indicated throughout this page, most sources of advice are closely
linked to one of the large GIS software companies. If you know what you need, you probably
won't be reading this! The first, crucial step is to have a clear idea of what you wish to
achieve. Sounds obvious, but you'd be amazed how easy it is to be persuaded to buy a copy
of a GIS product without ever being asked what you'd like to do with it!
Your Windows OS
skills must be reasonably good. If you struggle with something like MS Excel, don't know
why your mouse has two buttons and a funny wheel thingy, or get hopelessly lost browsing
the web, chances are your windows skills could be improved. We'd recommend addressing this
before continuing, as adequate (preferably good) Windows skills are a prerequisite for
Mapmakers Support.
You must be prepared to invest time in learning about your GIS application. Our Support
Policies will help shorten the learning curve, but they not a replacement for software
documentation, nor are they a substitute for formal training - we can supply that if
required, but it is entirely separate from a Support Policy.
It's beyond the scope of an introductory page to explore options in detail, as
everyone's needs are unique. However a quick, no-obligation call or E-mail to MapMakers
could save you endless hours of frustration and thousands of dollars. Get in touch with us
by any of the means below, or fill in the form at the end of this page
it won't cost you a cent!
Please note that most of the images on our site have been generated primarily
for hard copy, and therefore might not display optimally on your terminal.
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