Today, it’s more important than ever before that businesses have access to an incredible range of information. Whether trying to determine supply and demand, investigate shipping and logistics channels, determining where business expansion would reap the most benefits or something else, today’s business owners, managers and CEOs need access to a wide range of information. Moreover, that information needs to be in an interactive form that translates to immediate understanding. Intensity maps can be the key.

What Are Intensity Maps?

Intensity maps are interactive constructs that utilize your data, but provide a visual reference rather than outputting raw data only. This ensures that the information contained within a report or spreadsheet is immediately recognizable and usable. For instance, let’s say that you were giving a report on sales growth within specific areas of the US for your company.

Traditionally, you might use a spreadsheet or chart to denote the various channels of growth or decline. However, this can be problematic. Rows and columns tend to bewilder the eye, and even the most astute observer will struggle to understand the data you’re highlighting (and some to even stay awake during your presentation). However, by compiling your data using intensity maps, you can create an interactive map that highlights vital sales information across the United States, within specific states only, or even down to the local level.

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How Do Intensity Maps Work?

Intensity maps might not sound familiar, but they’ve been around for a very long time. If you have ever seen a map of the United States showing average temperatures, then you’ve seen an intensity map. By compiling temperature data for the United States, the news station is able to create a dynamic map that provides access to a tremendous amount of information within a graphic representation, making it easier for you to understand what they are showing you.

You can use intensity maps within your business to foster better profitability by engendering better understanding within meetings and presentations. Of course, intensity maps don’t have to be used solely for a live audience. You can create interactive maps utilizing your specific datasets and allow others to access them via your business’ computer network, which can help ensure that everyone has access to the information needed to make sound business decisions.

In the end, intensity maps can allow you to create interactive, dynamic maps out of your own data, no matter what that data might be, and highlight it geographically, spatially or in any other format that you choose.