Which dataset is right for your business?
Location intelligence is a strategic function of modern business. It’s not enough to just know your customer — it’s vital to know where they spend their time, how they get there, and, when possible — predict where they’re going.
But the best location intelligence efforts require the best solutions, tools and data.
Table of Contents
A Quick Look at Location Intelligence
Types of geospatial data
Location Data Providers
Wrapping Up the Data
Test Unacast data
A Quick Look at Location Intelligence
To make sure we’re all on the same page — location intelligence is a methodology for gleaning insights by connecting location datasets to additional data. By taking a spatial analysis approach to data, businesses can uncover previously unseen patterns and more accurately predict where they need to invest development and marketing resources.
While we’ve recently covered the software solutions and tools that can be used to stand up your location intelligence efforts — it’s vital to make sure you’re feeding it the right data. Let’s take a look at the types of geospatial data available as well as some of the premiere data providers.
Types of geospatial data
Before you can accurately compare location intelligence data providers, it’s important to know what kind of data is available. While there are undoubtedly many other categories of geospatial data, the key types for location intelligence are:
In addition to knowing which providers offer which kinds of data — it’s also important to consider the coverage of the data provided. While some providers have global datasets, others only offer data for specific regions or only data sourced from their proprietary sensors and equipment.
Let’s take a closer look at the data available from various providers, starting with our own.
Location Data Providers
There’s been a rapid shift in digitalization. Companies require greater bandwidth and connectivity to strategize and make big moves. This starts with knowing your customer and where they congregate.
Location independence has shifted where customers, employees, suppliers, and organizational ecosystems physically exist. This migrational evolution requires location intelligence technology to support a new style of business.
Unacast
With a focus on privacy-maintaining mobility datasets and migration patterns, we leverage multiple sources (device GPS data, weather, demographics, industry trends, and specific property data), clean and stabilize the data using machine learning, and provide focused, curated datasets.
Carto
Carto is one of the most popular location intelligence companies on the market—and for good reason. Hundreds of thousands of users unlock the potential of spatial analysis on the platform each day. The brand enables a business to use location data for things like:
- Behavioral marketing
- Efficient delivery routes
- Strategic store placements
- Optimize business processes
- Predict future outcomes
Cost
Every plan comes with a free, 14-day trial. Individual plans start at $199/month and the enterprise plan is quote-based.
Pro
- Easy-to-use for those with limited GIS or programming experience
- Display large datasets and visualizations for quicker insights
- Carto website is a wealth of resources from help guides to tool libraries
Census Information
While not a specific data provider, it is important to note that many governments make census data available for free.
ClimateCheck
With a focus on assessing and mitigating weather-related risks for the commercial and residential real estate industry, ClimateCheck provides focused results and analytics.
Esri ArcGIS
Esri ArcGIS offers contextual tools that help to analyze and visualize spatial data. The platform makes collaboration a snap with easy-to-navigate maps, reports, apps, and dashboards. Key features include:
- Real-time data visualization and analytics
- Field operations and mapping
- Data collection and management
- 3D geographic information system (GIS)
Cost
The company offers a 21-day free trial to test out the platform. A single-user license (for both Desktop and Online) starts at $1,500.
Pro
- An international dashboard that supports dozens of languages
- Popular tools for 3D analysts, data management, clip, and Buffer
- Sundry data imported into user’s geographic location
Infutor
Primarily a consumer identity intelligence provider, their data can be included in location intelligence to provide a deeper spatial analysis.
Mapbox
Mapbox is a developer-friendly GIS platform providing API- and SDK-based mapping solutions so you can add map visualizations to any existing system.
Placer AI
Placer AI gives you unprecedented visibility into consumer foot traffic. The company harnesses mobile data from millions of devices and applies the latest tools to generate accurate insights and behavioral predictions for any store or location.
- Breakdown top-performing brands for any state
- Visit trends for the true performance of any location
- Cross-shopping patterns to optimize tenancy, site selection, and marketing decisions
- Brand Dominance Map with a Brand Tracker and Industry Trends
Cost
There is no free trial but the Basic Placer AI package is free. It comes with 1 month of data, basic insights, and exporting to a PDF. The Premium package is customized and comes with 2+ years of data, CSV downloads, audience filters, visits analysis, and much more.
Pro
- Customer journey and trade area analysis
- Web dashboard with custom reporting and batch data files
- Unlimited user count with a license
SafeGraph
SafeGraph has a mission to grant open access to geospatial datasets like points of interest and foot traffic. They work to empower firms with better analytics and geolocation intelligence. This includes high-quality POI data, precise building footprints, and
Recently, SafeGraph has raised $45 million to capitalize on expanding the international market of data buyers and offer new ways for companies to buy location intelligence.
- Geofences for a precise understanding of the market
- Onboard data from thousands of diverse sources
- Machine learning and human feedback to associate POI business listing data
- Classify brands and denote spatial hierarchy
Cost
The SafeGraph Match package is free. You can upload a CSV to quickly compare and contrast. SafeGraph Shop & API is .05 cents per record. You can preview, buy, and download as a CSV or create an API file. The Annual License is offered at a bulk discount price.
Pro
- Detailed and accurate geometry with spatial hierarchy
- Store visitor analytics, foot traffic counts, demographic insights
- Covers locations for major retail brands, malls, airports, and more
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Veraset
Focused on gathering, curating, and delivering high quality mobility data, they provide raw and pre-processed population movement datasets.
Wrapping Up the Data
Don’t wait to invest in location intelligence. Insights gathered from location-based analytics and spatial inference can add a fresh perspective to the way you view business decisions. Location intelligence has already become a critical aspect for many brands’ go to market strategies and planning. Make sure you’re using the best solution and data for your needs.
