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Page 1: MOVING FROM MAPPOINT - eSpatial · 2020-06-19 · MOVING FROM MAPPOINT A Quick Guide to Switching to New Mapping Software . ... Effective sales management involves regular monitoring

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MOVING FROM MAPPOINT A Quick Guide to Switching to New Mapping Software

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Benefits of Cloud Based Mapping Software

3. How to Transfer Your Data From MapPoint to eSpatial

4. Mapping Your Sales Data

5. Assessing Regional Sales Performance

6. Create And Manage Your Territories

7. Visualizing Your Market Coverage and Competitor Analysis

8. Mapping Your Customers and Prospects

9. Creating Optimal Routes For Your Sales Team

10. Combining Datasets and Visualization Methods

11. Working as a Team: Sharing and Collaborating

12. Moving From MapPoint: Some Personal Experiences

13. Moving to MapPoint Checklist

14. Why Not Try It Out For Yourself?

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Introduction

“Businesses and individuals still using Microsoft’s MapPoint and Streets &

Trips need to start thinking about alternatives.”

- Blair Hanley Frank, Geek Wire

If you’re reading this, you may be aware that MapPoint was discontinued

at the end of 2014. The software is no longer available and there will be

no more updates. Many sales professionals have relied on MapPoint for

important data analysis, so this development has made users very

anxious.

The main problem with the discontinuation of MapPoint is the fact that

the geographic information within the MapPoint software is becoming

more and more out-of-date – the existing software will become obsolete.

Data analysis runs with MapPoint will continually decrease in reliability

and support will be discontinued.

Don't fret; it's not all bad news. There are many alternatives to MapPoint

and many of them offer even greater functionality and features. Most of

the alternative mapping solutions - such as eSpatial - let you trial their

software before you make any decision on purchase.

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Benefits of cloud-based mapping software Modern cloud-based mapping software is no longer physically confined to

specific desktops and can be accessed almost anywhere. This is a big

change that provides many benefits to sales professionals:

• Ease of Access: Maps can be accessed anywhere with an internet

connection, across multiple devices including PCs, Macs, iOS devices

and Android devices.

• Ease of Use: No installation or special plug-ins are required. All you

need is an up-to-date internet browser.

• Sharing and Collaboration: Maps can be shared and embedded

online, and collaboration features allow teams to work remotely to

produce and analyze maps together.

• Instant Updates: Online mapping software is continuously and

seamlessly updated with regular improvements and added

functionality.

• Security: Using cloud-based software means that your data and

visualizations can be saved and backed up in real-time, ensuring

peace of mind. Furthermore, advanced firewalls and protocols can

protect your data from external threats.

• Lower cost of ownership: No need for IT support, backups,

installations, patches, data transfer, etc.

• Real-time support: eSpatial assigns a Customer Success

Representative who provides customized training along with real-

time, live chat support.

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How to Transfer Your Data From MapPoint to

eSpatial

If you have been using MapPoint for a while it is likely you have a

significant amount of data. Luckily there are only three simple steps you

need to take to move your data from MapPoint to an alternative such as

eSpatial.

Step 1 – Download from MapPoint

Data can be exported for complete, individual datasets (including

territories) for the entire map; or for all data points for all datasets in a

selected area or freeform shape.

To export the data for an individual dataset or territory, select the

required dataset in the Legend and then select Export to Excel on the

Data menu.

To export the data for a selection area, first create a selection area

around the data points you wish to export. Right-click in the selection

area and select Export to Excel from the popup menu.

The resulting Excel workbook consists of a summary worksheet plus one

worksheet for each dataset. The summary worksheet lists each dataset

complete with the number of data points exported and internal

hyperlinks to the individual worksheets:

**Note: If you have manually added in pushpins that were not in the original dataset you

will need to use a Pushpin Tool to export the Geocodes

Step 2 – Ensure your data is arranged correctly

It is unlikely that this will be an issue but it is a good idea to check your

dataset is formatted correctly. There are 4 simple rules:

1. Address, City, County, State and ZIP should all be in separate

columns

2. Each column has a unique header

3. Each Column has only one type of data (e.g. Numerical, Text)

4. The file must be in a standard spreadsheet format, CSV, XLS or

XLSX format

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Step 3 – Upload your data to eSpatial

This is quite a simple process. Your data most likely falls under three

categories;

1. Spreadsheet file containing addresses

2. Spreadsheet file containing X and Y coordinates

3. Spreadsheet file containing geographic region names

Simply log in to your eSpatial account and select upload new data:

eSpatial will automatically recognize location fields but you can manually

adjust them if required

Click "Complete". Your data will be instantly viewable on the map.

If you would like to see a step by step tutorial video, simply click here.

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Mapping Your Sales Data

What You Already Do

With MapPoint you have probably mapped your regional sales data using

features like push pins, heat maps and color-coded data. This enables you

to make sense of large quantities of data and gain valuable visual insights.

It’s fair to assume that mapping your sales data has become increasingly

important to you.

What Now?

MapPoint’s data will no longer be updated. Considering maps are

dynamic, you’re going to need a mapping software solution that can keep

up with constant changes. eSpatial’s mapping software is based on

Google Maps so you can be confident your maps are always up-to-date.

You can also map your sales data in the usual way and benefit from up-to-

date census data, but with added features.

Here's How You Can Map Your Sales Data With eSpatial

• Map leads and customers to visualize and diagnose areas that are not

converting

• Produce sales figures on heat maps

• Prioritize territories based on sales performance

• Manage and realign sales territories

• Assign leads based on proximity to sales reps, using radius maps

• Optimize routing for your sales teams with up-to-date geographic

data

What’s New?

While some of these features are familiar, there are many added features

that MapPoint did not have. The ability to safely share and update

interactive maps keeps sales managers and field teams connected and

makes communication easy. You can also compare and contrast datasets

and mapping visualizations in useful new ways. MapPoint was only

available on Windows desktops and laptops. Cloud based software is

available anywhere and from multiple devices and operating systems.

Here’s what eSpatial Customers Say

“eSpatial is a game-changer in terms of helping

our sales reps visualize and target their

territories!”

-- Mark Hagen, Marketing Operations Director,

Perfection Learning.

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Assessing Regional Sales Performance

What You Already Do

Effective sales management involves regular monitoring of regional sales

performance. MapPoint provides territory and heat mapping features

that enable sales professionals to analyze regional data. The

discontinuation of MapPoint means that these functions will eventually

become obsolete.

If you previously mapped regional sales data using MapPoint, you will

have produced something like this:

This is a MapPoint map that outlines sales performance by state using

different shades of green to denote the level of sales that are being

observed in each state.

Here's How It's Done with eSpatial

Modern mapping software solutions such as eSpatial offer the same

features as MapPoint but with significant improvements. The same heat

maps developed with MapPoint, such as the one shown above, can be

built with ease:

Regional Heat Map:

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Standard Heat Map:

Check out this interactive Sales Density Heatmap that outlines sales

density across the US with green pins outlining the client, point of contact

and other relevant information. You’ll find that it's much clearer and

more comprehensive than a typical MapPoint heatmap.

Enhancing Your Sales Performance Analysis

MapPoint was helpful for sales professionals, but sophisticated mapping

software such as eSpatial has taken geographic data analysis further.

eSpatial can segment and filter data, isolate key sales areas and relate

them to other relevant data. For example, you can develop a regional

heat map outlining the sales performance by state and use a filtering tool

to isolate sales above or below certain criteria. You can then layer and

filter similar data from the previous year. This results in a visual

representation of sales performance by region over a two-year period.

Match the sales value color ranges to your existing target structure for

instant recognition of high and low performing areas. While similar maps

can be produced using MapPoint, they can be unclear and difficult to

digest:

Here’s what eSpatial Customers Say

“It’s the whole visual thing. It’s simple. It’s cost

effective… it just works! We’ve used all sorts of

products in the past from a sales standpoint, but

nothing that does it quite as visually as this.

That’s what makes the difference.”

- Graham Oliver, Managing Director, Door Entry IP

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Create And Manage Your Territories

What you already do

There are two ways you can create territories in MapPoint;

1. Manually combining geographic elements such as states, zip

codes and counties into territories.

2. Uploading a spreadsheet containing your territories for automatic

and instant creation.

Here’s how it’s done with eSpatial

eSpatial lets you create a territory map by stitching together existing

geographic boundaries or by uploading a spreadsheet of your pre-defined

territories. This means that if you want to import existing territories from

MapPoint, you simply have to export an excel file and bring it into your

new eSpatial account.

Once created, the territories can be given unique names and used as

basemaps on which you can place other market-relevant data. Results

can also be reported on at a territory level.

Overlay other data: Once a territory has been created, it can be used –

and re-used – as a canvas on which to plot other data. This can be the

starting point for an in-depth, focused and fresh market analysis.

Hierarchies of territories: eSpatial provides the capability to create

hierarchical territories whereby entire countries can be divided into

national, regional and local territories. This allows territories to be

matched to the reporting structure present in many organizations.

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Link data to territories: Territory mapping software allows you to link key

data to your territory map. For instance, it can link census information

about population density, educational levels, age, etc. When such

demographic data is used in conjunction with your own business data, it

can be a powerful motivating tool, inspiring better planning and faster

decision-making. It can also be used with your latest market, lead or sales

information to create up-to-date balanced territories.

Create balanced territories: When linked to data, territory maps can

provide an instant picture of the division of work across territories. For

example, the number/value of customers per salesperson’s territory can

be highlighted. You can even rebalance territories so that workloads are

spread in a more equitable way.

Adjust when necessary: Markets change constantly – and so do

territories. eSpatial makes editing customized territories easy by

automatically updating maps linked to new data.

Worldwide mapping: eSpatial is not limited to the U.S., therefore eSpatial

can support the expansion of your business into new territories.

Communication and information sharing: Many companies print out wall

sized maps illustrating their territories. With eSpatial this is easy to do

and you can also share live interactive versions of these maps.

Benefits of territory management

Visualizing your territory sales data is essential for effective territory

management. Mapping software enables you to manage your territories

by allowing you to:

• Create territories based on your existing customer base and target market

• Visualize the extent of your coverage and overlay data about customers, prospects, teams and other resources

• Share maps remotely to communicate effectively with your sales teams

• Quickly divide a large target area into more manageable assigned regions

• Analyze your territory performance

• Create territory hierarchy to reflect your organization’s structure

• Allocate sales teams more effectively with balanced territories and earning potential

• Improve sales team efficiency, resulting in greater profits

• Create and control your own territories without external consultants

• Improve decisions about market expansions

• Manage franchises, publish locations and illustrate availability

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Visualizing Your market Coverage and Competitor

Analysis

What you already do

Using mapping software to visualize your market coverage can help you

gain an accurate perspective by visualizing density of customers, leads

and prospects. This ultimately enables you to run a more effective sales

team.

If you have been using MapPoint to analyze your market coverage and

competitors, you have likely used the Territory Wizard to define markets

and the Data Mapping Wizard to make shaded maps or circle maps.

Here's How It's Done with eSpatial

Solutions such as eSpatial have features similar to MapPoint which allow

you to recreate your old maps, but with more advanced visualization and

analysis capabilities.

Radius Mapping

Radius maps take two sets of data and let you focus on their spatial

relationship. Your company may want to investigate issues such as:

• How many customers are within 5 miles of your business?

• Are there any significant coverage gaps in your network?

• Which areas are most lucrative for expansion?

• What significant trends or patterns can we capitalize on?

• How can I minimize transport costs?

This feature can be used to gain an accurate perspective of market

coverage by visualizing density of clients and customers. In turn, this lets

you devise a more organized sales strategy and run a more effective sales

team.

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Heat Mapping

Identify gaps in the market by using heat maps. Heat maps use color

schemes to allow you to not only identify high performing zones, but also

those lucrative untapped markets. You can upload your data and set

conditions according to a specified color scheme. This visualization allows

you to gain crucial sales insights, and provides guidance on how you can

adjust your sales approach and strategy.

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Mapping Your Customers and Prospects

What you already do

You may already use MapPoint to create radius maps. This involves

focusing on the spatial relationship between two sets of data. Although

this feature has traditionally been available on MapPoint, modern

mapping software like eSpatial makes radius mapping easier than ever.

Here's how you do it with eSpatial

Sales managers who want to keep their sales team productive can make

use of a “Within Distance Report” and radius map. This report is

composed of a dataset of prospects and of existing customers. Once

these data sets are combined, you can create a radius map where your

field sales operatives are the center point.

While MapPoint requires users to save these maps as a file in order to

share information with stakeholders, modern cloud-based mapping

software is far less restrictive. Maps can be shared through links and the

embedding feature. Field sales operatives can look at the radius map

remotely to find the nearest existing customer and pay them a courtesy

call.

Here’s what eSpatial customers say

How do you know it's right for your business?

To try out a cloud-based radius map with your customer and prospect

data, visit www.espatial.com and sign up for a free trial

“It (MapPoint) was a really great software, but

they stopped updating it. I would upload maybe

5000 points with MapPoint and it might only

plot 3500 of them. eSpatial is giving me 99%

success. That’s the No.1 reason right there. I

would say that if you’re looking for the most up-

to-date software out there – and the most up-to-

date maps…eSpatial is second to none.”

-- David Klarich, Senior Marketing Specialist at USI Building

Solutions.

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Optimized Routing for Sales Teams

What You Already Do

Although you may have produced some useful routing maps using

MapPoint, this functionality will gradually deteriorate as the geographic

data in the software becomes outdated. You may be concerned about

being able to continue generating route maps in the future. Modern

cloud based alternatives on the market will keep this data up-to-date so

that you can continue creating optimal routes for your sales team

members.

Here's How It's Done with eSpatial

Route Maps can be accessed on the road from multiple devices and can

be used as dynamic, shareable and collaborative maps. An itinerary

including turn by turn directions can also be exported and printed for

offline use.

Optimize Your Time and Stay Connected:

• When plans change en route for sales team members, they can

use this type of Route Map to find the nearest available

customer.

• Information on a Route Map can also inform field sales team of

when a client is available on a proposed day.

• Validate mileage reports from your field sales team.

• Client records and tips on reaching hard-to-find locations can be

updated by multiple users.

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What are the key advantages of route optimization with cloud-based

mapping software?

• Cloud-based mapping software route maps are regularly updated

to provide accurate up-to-date directions.

• Maps can be accessed from any device with an internet

connection (PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones and other smartphones).

• Route optimization is built into eSpatial and works with existing

data. No additional third-party software is required to generate

routes.

• Routes can be shared by sending an email with a webpage link.

eSpatial allows private and public sharing of maps.

• Route plans can be changed or updated on the go. Maps will

update to generate alternative or new routes.

• Create routes across multiple layers of data. Upload a list of

hotels/airports/etc. to use in conjunction with your accounts

when creating routes.

• Optimized routes can be printed as hard copies or sent to mobile

devices and opened using the Google Maps app.

What eSpatial Customers Say

How do you know if this is right for your business?

1. Sign up for a free trial and try create route maps

2. Watch this video, which outlines eSpatial route optimization and its

benefits

3. Organize a product demonstration for yourself or your team by

contacting [email protected]

“Maps change…we needed something that was

always up to date. That’s what led us to eSpatial."

- - Kaitlin Lounsbury NCA.

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Combining Datasets and Visualization Methods

What You Already Do

MapPoint provided useful supplementary content such as census data

that enhanced the quality of analysis run by sales professionals.

Unfortunately, as there will be no more updates to the software, the

accompanying data will stop receiving updates. Modern cloud-based

mapping software providers like eSpatial can keep census data up-to-

date, allowing for more accurate, reliable analysis.

Here's How It's Done with eSpatial

While MapPoint allowed you to develop different visualizations using

various features, sophisticated mapping software such as eSpatial allows

you to combine data and incorporate the collective data into one

visualization. For example, eSpatial’s “Aggregate by Value” combines

data and presents it through a combination of a map, table and chart.

This enables sales managers to quickly manage large amounts of data and

easily track how sales executives, products and campaigns are performing

across regions.

With eSpatial, a sales manager can combine data on prospects, leads and

opportunities in order to develop a quick overview of their distribution

and value across regions. This can be done using Aggregate by Value:

• Pins can be color coded to identify the different types of target:

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• The value of each status is aggregated in a table and also

represented visually in the bar chart:

• Finally, all of these elements can be combined to provide a

comprehensive visual representation of a combination of customer

data.

Click here to interact with the Leads, Prospects and Opportunities map through your web browser.

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Working as a Team: Sharing and Collaborating

MapPoint is stored on your local disk, so opportunities for sharing and

collaboration are limited. This means that multiple users cannot interact

and edit maps all at once from different locations. Sales teams are not

always in the same location so it can get very tricky trying to work off

individual computers especially when the team is on the road.

Moving to a cloud based solution creates new opportunities for your

business to discover the power of collaboration and sharing. Some of the

benefits of this include:

• Sharing sensitive data securely to specific team members

• Supporting strategic decision making in important meetings

• Sharing key information quickly and professionally

• Improving performance of teams through interaction and working

towards a common goal

Collaboration Features

We all know the importance of teamwork regarding a successful sales

force. Some studies have shown that 70% of interactive data visualization

adopters improved collaboration and knowledge sharing1. Being able to

share and collaborate is a critical factor of this. There are 5 essential

mapping features for successful collaboration within your sales team:

1 This was found through research from Aberdeen Group: White, D. (2013)

Visualization. Set Your Analytics Users Free.

1. Sharing Maps Within Your Team – Easily share maps, directions,

charts, reports and tables directly to specific team members. The

maps will be viewable on multiple devices such as laptops, tablets

and smartphones. Cloud-based mapping solutions make sharing

as simple as copy and paste.

2. Multiple User Support - Team members of a nationwide sales

team can add their own data – latest sales or leads to a dataset

on a daily basis, thus creating a complete, up-to-date picture of

the whole market. This type of map is therefore a great way of

disseminating up-to-date, mission-critical information to a wide

audience.

3. Export in Multiple Formats – Sometimes you need to create a

professional, visually aided report or presentation. The ability to

export maps and charts to PDF or JPEG is essential to creating

reports that stand out.

4. Embedded Maps – These are great for telling a business story on

a webpage. Interactive maps can be added to websites, posts and

blogs which help to highlight locations to customers or show the

scope of your operation for whatever purpose.

5. Printing Maps - There are times when only printed maps will do.

You might, for example, want to print maps to include in a paper

presentation. Or you may want to print maps and post them on

your office wall to motivate a sales team. Whatever the reason, a

printed map can be a great resource. Key to this are the printing

options that are offered; the mapping solution must provide

small (A) to XL (E) printing options along with the ability to print

accompanying charts and table all in a convenient and compact

manner.

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So what are the advantages of these collaboration features?

• Cross functional departments can interact with their data. • Software privileges control what data is viewable for specific

team members. • Multiple exporting options mean that you can share precisely

what you need. • High quality print-outs of maps, tables and charts can be easily

created.

What eSpatial Customers Have Said About Sharing &

Collaboration

Why not try out a cloud based mapping software that offers all of these

benefits and collaboration features? Start your free trial with eSpatial

today.

“With the click of a button I can see information

related to any location, at any time. More than 50

of our top leaders now use eSpatial maps for

instant analysis of their territories”

- Mike Stengel, VP, PSAV Presentation Services

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Moving From MapPoint: Some Personal

Experiences Since Microsoft announced its plans to discontinue MapPoint last

summer, many users have been switching their mapping software to

eSpatial. We spoke to two users about why they switched to eSpatial’s

cloud-based solution.

David Klarich, Senior Marketing Specialist at USI building

solutions

David uses mapping software to prospect for new business. His company

needs to know the location of the next upcoming building project.

“We’re in the new construction industry,” explains David, “We track

permits to see where a lot of the work is going. We use mapping software

when our leadership team is looking for ways to jump start sales….Where

do you want to focus on this month. Let’s really try and hit this area.”

So why stop using MapPoint?

“It was a really great software, but they stopped updating it. I would

upload maybe 5000 points with MapPoint and it might only plot 3500 of

them. eSpatial is giving me 99% success. That’s the No.1 reason right

there. I would say that if you’re looking for the most up-to-date software

out there – and the most up-to-date maps…eSpatial is second to none.”

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Jill Rodriguez, Executive Vice

President at RMG

Former MapPoint user Jill Rodriguez delivers innovative advertising and

loyalty solutions to the Canadian retail sector. She combines mapping and

census software to create heat maps of demographic data with store

locations layered over top. She recalls her experience with MapPoint, and

explains why she switched to eSpatial.

“MapPoint was anything but user-friendly” says Jill. “It was the least

intuitive program I had ever used. Every time we used a map, we had to

call up and get help. “

Looking to replace MapPoint, Jill spent 2 days testing mapping programs.

“All the free ones won’t pull in FSAs. All the high end ones are

literally…we’re talking $15-20K, since for them you also need to use lats

and longs [Latitude and Longitude positions], which means you then have

to buy another piece of software, in order to convert all your addresses.”

Finally, Jill came upon eSpatial.

“eSpatial is the only multi-layer mapping program I found that would

accept my store addresses, instead of Lats and Longs, I am able to

continue to utilize my census software to pull the necessary FSAs and

upload them onto eSpatial. By combining both data sets I can create our

base maps. And then eSpatial allows me to take it one step further by

allowing dynamic overlaying of customer stores and the ability to pull

combined store lists right from the map.”

Jill is now using less software to get the same results that she got when

using MapPoint. This has also brought more flexibility, in terms of styling

maps and distributing them. She even describes the response from one of

her colleagues as having gone “map-happy” since RMG implemented

eSpatial.

Jill has also seen the advantages of switching from desktop-based

mapping software to online mapping software.

“With desktop based software, you have to print out a piece of paper and

take it with you…You can take an eSpatial map, put it on an iPad. You can

fix it, you can lock it and you can send it to your reps. The reps go in the

field with their iPads and they just punch in the addresses of the people

they want “

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Moving to MapPoint Checklist Feature MapPoint eSpatial

General

Web based software

Search addresses and geocode

Route mapping, territory mapping and management, radius mapping, heat mapping, pushpin/address/post code mapping

Easy, secure saving or sharing of maps online

GIS-related features and flexibility used to define and present data and map layers

Operates across multiple platforms – Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, etc

Geographic Data

Up-to-date Census Tract boundaries, ZCTA (ZIP Code Tabulation Areas) Codes, Census data and demographics

Street data that includes Guam and other U.S. territories

Worldwide data support

Create & Optimize Routes

Print Routes

Forward route maps to drivers’ smart phones or tablets with notes on jobs & turn-by-turn audio directions

Worldwide routing support

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Feature MapPoint eSpatial

Territory maps

Redraw territories while aggregating the value of opportunities within each territory

Use drawing tool to customize areas to export data for regions or territories

Create custom territory boundary layers

Additional Map Analysis tools

Bubble Maps

Aggregate by value

Filters

Map/database filtering

Control visibility of map/layer filters

Maps & Styles

Ability to turn map layers on and off

Ability to customize any aspect of the map and map styles

Support

Ongoing support for the mapping product and for customer questions

Named Customer Success Rep assigned to each paid account

Live Chat Support

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Why Not Try It Out For Yourself?

MapPoint has now been discontinued and will no longer be receiving

support or updates from Microsoft. Thankfully, powerful cloud-based

mapping solutions like eSpatial can meet all your mapping needs.

Switching from MapPoint is easy – you can even experience eSpatial for

yourself with our free trial.

Start your free trial today at www.espatial.com