geoXtract in Context: Automating Map Mashups

As geoXtract nears its version 1.0 release, we figured we would give some context for geoXtract in terms of where this application fits in the map mashup 'ecosystem' that is emerging. First, we should point out that geoXtract is actually a desktop application that utilizes various web-based services to automate the creation of Google Map Mashups and Google Earth KML files that integrate hundreds, thousands, and even tens of thousands of records as data points. We will come back to why geoXtract is a desktop application later in this post.

While we feel that there is value to the manual process of pointing/clicking to add a few points on a map (e.g., "my favorite coffee shops in Salt Lake City"), it is difficult to manually create maps that include numerous points. To this end, geoXtract addresses this limitation, and it provides a means for users to extract, transform, and load numerous data points to a map. So for example, if a user has an Excel spreadsheet with the location of over 4,900 locations for Wine Producers in the U.S., geoXtract can be used to integrate this data with Google Maps or to create a KML file for use with Google Earth. Rather than clicking/pointing 4,900 times (which is unrealistic), the user can automatically transform his/her data with geoXtract.

Much of the power of geoXtract lies in its flexibility and versatility. geoXtract can be used with CSV, Excel (.xls), and Access (.mdb) files, and there is no rigid format structure required for data to be used in the application--the only requirement is that the data contain at least one field with address information (geoXtract can handle address information in one field or several fields).

geoXtract allows users to determine what fields to include in the data points (i.e., data filtering), and geoXtract includes a library of several hundred map icons that can be used to provide more context for the data points (e.g., a house icon gives a map of real estate listings much more context than a pushpin icon).

Lastly, geoXtract allows users to publish data to one of three target environments: map files can be 1) saved to a local/network drive, 2) loaded to geoXtract.com (which provides a free map hosting and management platform), and 3) uploaded to a web server via FTP. Data does not need to be maintained or hosted on a third party web site...it's all up to each user.

Another powerful feature of geoXtract is the ability to save projects. As users identify a data source and configure how to process/integrate data with a map, the configuration details can be saved as a 'project' that can be opened at a later time. This means that there is intelligence built in to the process, so that if a user wants to recreate the map at a later time, there is no need to go through all of the configuration steps again.

We've also added "One-Click Publishing" to geoXtract--this feature allows users to republish data, based on a project, from the system tray. Imagine that the data used in a project has changed (5 records deleted, and 25 added). With one-click publishing, a user can simply republish a map with the updated data without even opening geoXtract or any other application.

Starting to see where we're going with this? (No pun intended). geoXtract bridges the gap between My Google Maps, Platial, and several other point/click platforms, allowing users to easily integrate data managed in tabular format with Google Maps and Google Earth. There is an immense amount of information out there that is readily available in tabular format, and it only makes sense that users manage large data sets in tabular formats (yes, tables are good)--on the flip side, there is no reason why a user shouldn't be able to easily convert/integrate this data with open mapping platforms, such as Google Maps and Google Earth without having to point/click.

So what of the desktop application? In order to provide the power, flexibility, and features described above, we realized that the desktop is the best place to deliver an application like geoXtract. When you want to process thousands of records without maxing out your browser's memory, when you want to re-publish a map with a simple click, when you want to save a large set of map data locally, it makes sense to use the desktop for the job.

Look for more information about geoXtract at geoXtract.com, and be sure to check out the Map Gallery while you're there.