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Trade areas analysis techniques suitable for implementation using GIS technology
Geometrics
Trade areas analysis techniques suitable for implementation using GIS technology
The comprehension of geography and the relationships that exist between people and a particular location aids in informing policy making, planning and service provisions decisions. This has facilitated the use of a geographical information system to understand the geography of a region and make intelligent decisions (Beck, 2003). There are a number of trade areas analysis techniques that are suitable for implementation employing the GIS technology.
Site selection techniques
Intuitive Expert
Trade area selection often starts with an expert who initiates concepts that are successful and lead up to the opening up of new stores and establishments in the area. Successful ventures and subsequent expansions are initially characterized by little use or no use at all of the quantitative methodology for site selection. The owner is able to manage the day to day affairs of the stores with operational integrity as a result of the small number of locations (Beck, 2003). This however changes as the trade area expands with the owner experiencing difficulty in controlling all the matters pertaining to his stores.
Site comparison
This technique is used to determine demographic measures by analyzing already existing establishments. Site comparison constitutes one of the basic approaches of trade area selection. Variable that includes age, population, ethnicity and income capabilities are critically examined and compared to those of already existing trade areas.
Site Scoring
Organizations employ site scoring techniques as an improvement to site comparison. This technique rates potential trade areas by employing site scoring models which draw a parallel between the various variables in trade areas (Beck, 2003). Adequate considerations are paid to factors such as the periods that the trade areas have been in operation and their respective sizes to ensure that the samples used are similar.
Gravity Modeling
This technique entails a look into the notion that the visiting of a trade area by a customer is informed by the closeness of the trade area to the customer, the attractiveness of the trade area and the closeness and attractiveness of other rival trade areas. The attractiveness of the trade areas is usually determined by its size and its appeal to a particular lifestyle. Models enable in GIS allow for analysis of prospective trade areas
Multiple Regression Modeling
This technique has been used to predict store sales consequently informing trade area selection. It draws parallels between the various variables interact in a particular trade area to give specific trade results (Beck, 2003). Despite having several setbacks such as being overly expensive, un-timeliness and the fact that they are easily compromised with the introduction of other variables, this technique can be adopted by GIS to facilitate the prediction of sales realization of potential trade areas.
Customer Profiling
This technique is arguably the most important in the determining of a potential successful trade area. However, a substantial number of retailers lack adequate customer information due to the nature of their business. Customers mostly pay for their goods in cash hence the retailers are unable to acquire information on the customers.
The validity of derived statistical data that inform Policy making, planning and service provision decisions
There exist a number of avenues that are employed to aid in the collection of data to inform the suitability of trade areas. The assessment of the potential trade areas covers both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of data collection with regard to the policy making, planning and service provisions decisions. The assessment techniques and approaches are intended to provide those seeking trade areas with the tools and knowledge necessary for them to make the decisions (Beck, 2003). There are however various concerns that arise when sourcing for the relevant information. Among the concerns include:
The lack of enough time and support to facilitate the critical analysis and engagement of the data collected
Limited capacity to gain access to the data independently
The lack of consistency in statistics gathering
Most of the statistics gathering techniques are targeted towards the strategic goals and information needs of the particular organization
The lack of an established commitment by organizations to data guided decision making
There is also a lack of access to and transparency regarding the sets of data currently being used
Fatigue that is often experienced when sourcing for the relevant information
There is however measures that can be put into place to ensure for the validity of the information that is used with regard to the policy making, planning and service provisions decisions (Beck, 2003). These measures will help with some of the concerns. Among the measures that can be adopted to mitigate the concerns include:
The making of probing initiatives that include the gathering of statistics and focus groups a habit
The aptitude of independently gaining access to data within the shortest time possible
The development of techniques and relevant tools to support the implementation and design of the initiatives meant to examine the potential trade areas
There should be adequate support for the data examination processes and the data collected should be made available to everyone by effectively displaying the data
There should be a common location set aside for the storage and subsequent sharing of the data collected
The facilitation of training workshops that would oversee the adoption of best practices and assessment
Bibliography
Beck, S. J., 2003, Making Informed Decisions: The Implications of Assessment, April 10-13,ACRL Eleventh National Conference. Charlotte, North Carolina: American Library Association, 2003.
Tracking Technology
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Tracking Technology
Technology has become an integral part of life in most countries. Not only does technology improve communication, but it also improves efficiency significantly. Although different periods have seen the discovery and usage of different technologies, and varying trends, each technological discovery seems to add value to human life. One such technology, is tracking technology, which is increasingly becoming popular in the United States. Tracking technology refers to location of items, data and inventory. There are several systems that tend to support this system, the most common are geographic information mostly used for location tracking and capturing geographic information. The second system is the Global positioning system which has been used for many years to locate satellites and deduce trilateral data. The third system in the nearly developed Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), the system assists in locating movement on objects. For a while, the system was used to locate movement of customer goods, vehicles and cattle using radio waves. RFID uses passive transmit of data which only transmits when prompted. Currently research has shown that RFID can also be used to improve human based activities and as a result the introduction of microchip implant has been introduced. The microchip has been introduced in the United States and is implanted on the body of the human being. The tracking technology (RFID) is embedded in the bodies of more than 50 present of Americans.
Statistical evidence
The tracking technology using RFID systems that requires microchip embedding on human bodies has been in use in the United States since 2002 when the Vership Corporation which began the idea received the approval from Food and Drug Administration of the United States. However, embedding did not begin until 2004 when the Verimed concerned that the chip could not cause any serious medical condition such as cancer. In the year 2012 the Senate Bill 362 allowed that the Georgia Composite Medical board to supervise the embedding of 16 microchips to United States citizens (Graafstra 2004).
Uses of the Tracking technology
The tracking technology using the Radio Frequency Identification Technology involves encasing a silicate glass on the arm or forehead of the human body. The chip is linked to information on the human personal identification, medical history and contact information. The chip provides a perfect relationship between physical issues in real world and digital world essential in the advancement of technological world. The microchip is currently used in the United States to provide permanent identification which is essential in trade and recovery of lost items. Ensuring that personal information is available easily issues such as missing persons cases and hospital mix-ups will be reduced significantly. The microchip is also commonly used in providing medical history, by ensuring the chip is linked to historic personal information even on issues such as medical history, health provision will be improved. Issues such as hospital briefs in cases of patient hospital transfers and delays in health care due to hospital file search will be eliminated. Further, the microchip is also used in financial sector by linking it to personal bank accounts. The chip is currently embraced in the health care sector in the United States but since it allows huge data linkage it can still be used to make purchases and pay for services after linking it to bank accounts. By providing financial access easily, previous technologies such as credit cards will be less popular. However, even though there are several positive uses of the new tracking technology using the RFID micro chip several limitation on the same have raised great concerns.
Impact and Potential Impact
The use of tracking technology has had a significant impact in a number of sectors in the United States. Some of these impacts have come about as a result of the direct benefits that the technologies offer, while others have come about as indirect benefits that have come about as a result of the improved efficiency the technology offers. One of the main areas where the tracking technology has the potential to greatly impact is that of security. The adoption of tracking technology has greatly improved security, as each individual has a unique number that they cannot change. Further, it has also made the personal information readily available, to the extent that accessing personal information regarding any individual is quite easy. This has the potential to significantly reduce cases of identity theft, while at the same time reducing the possibilities and opportunities an individual has of adopting false identities. The impact of the chips on security is significant, as it ensures tracking the movement of individuals is much easier, an effect that is no doubt bound to improve security. RFID technology has made the identification of missing persons quite easy, eliminating the chances of misidentification.
The impact that the chips have had, and will continue to have on the health sector is the most significant. By allowing instant access to an individual’s medical history, as provided for by the health care bill, provision of subsequent care will not only be easier, but also much cheaper. In cases where there is need for emergency treatment, the available medical histories, as well as the available information on allergies, are potentially life saving, as they provide paramedics with baseline information to go on. Furthermore, such information saves time and monetary resources that could have potentially been carried out to ascertain such information in cases where previous medical history is not readily forthcoming (Eng n.p).
Future Trends
Due to the relative newness of RFID and other tracking technology, the potential usages are widespread and it opens up numerous possibilities. Particularly within the financial sector, tracking technology has and might continue to have a significant impact. For instance, RFID technology will potentially allow individuals to have direct access to their finances following a simple wave of the hand, thereby eliminating the need to carry wallets and ATM cards around. Other areas where RFID technology can be used to significant effect are the transport and security industry, more so in dealing with terrorism. In future, identification scanners and machines can be installed ensuring that identity verification is carried out based on the implanted chips. These identification machines and systems can then be connected to security databases to help scan for any suspected terrorists hence restricting their ability to travel using public transport.
All in all, tracking technology has had, and will no doubt continue to have significant effects on the American population. The potential provided by this new technology is immense more so if there is a widespread adoption of the new technology, such that services are able to be provided across the board. RFID technology is likely to further improve security, financial services, and the provision of health services. The adoption of the universal health care bill certainly raises interesting questions over the effect that the increased adoption of RFID technology is likely to have on the country and the American population in general, although the positive impact it is likely to have is unquestionable.
Works Cited
Eng, Paul. Implant Chip, Track People. 2013. Web. HYPERLINK “http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=98077&page=1” http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=98077&page=1
Graafstra, Amal RFID Toys: 11 Cool Projects for Home, Office and Entertainment (4th ed.).New York City, New York: (ExtremeTech) Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings. 2004
Haag, Stephen and McCubbrey, Donald . Management Information Systems for the InformationAge (4th ed.). New York City, New York: McGraw-Hill.2004
there is little doubt that he is culpable of the crimes he is accused of. Those that are against the impeachment (Republicans) are so solely because of the oath they have taken for their party. They have not come out with facts that contradict the accusations filed against the President. The information they are relying on is that Joe Biden was not found connected to any misuse of power or evidence that indicates he influenced the firing of a district attorney. Also
the lack of any evidence of wrongdoing or an allegation against Biden’s son Hunter Biden is not a counter-argument to that of Trump asking the Ukrainian government to make a public announcement on an investigation against the activities of a rival.