When someone says “layers of data” we usually think of something complex right?
This is especially true today with the increasing variety of business channels, metrics and data. This onslaught of information can make our jobs difficult and slow us down.
We understand the value of getting to grips with large amounts of data but oftentimes getting there can be a struggle.
Well, layers don’t always have to be something that makes us anxious.
In reality mapping software thrives on multiple layers of data. The more layers the better and the more layers – the more understanding.
The key to mapping software lies in the ability to break complexity down into small parts. You can analyze your information as a sum of the parts or at an individual level. The choice is yours.
Maps are an elegant solution for helping us get to grips with disconnected but related forms of data.
Consider the classic image of how maps are built below. It’s simple – a whole bunch of features layered on top of one another to create a useful geographic image.
As separate entities they have meaning but when combined they create powerful insight in one location.
The same effect can be achieved by layering business data.
For example, you might have one file for customer data, one file for store data, one file for sales data and one file for competitor data and so on.
Trying to get to grips with all of this complexity in separate locations can take a considerable amount of time. You might also miss hidden or subtle connections lurking in between.
Mapping all of these files as layers is a much easier way to dig into the data and understand how it is related.
The point here is that mapping enables us to transform all of our different complex layers of data into layers of visual simplicity.
This helps us get things done quicker and easier and turn data into useful insight.