Maptitude Review

PROS: The software is very easy to use-- even a first time user can make nice and informative map very quickly. Maptitude comes bundled with lots of useful data.

CONS: This software is quite mature; I haven't encountered any real problems.

PROS: I purchased Maptitude GIS over 20 years ago for my graduate work at UCSC. Maptitude was the only GIS that could handle the amount of data that I need to use. Even the big name, and you know who I mean, couldn't come close. Second reason was the price. Maptitude is by far the value leader in the GIS field and Third, the amount of data that comes bundled with Maptitude is amazing. Oh, and one more, Maptitude is extremely straightforward and easy to use compared to any other GIS product out there. Try Maptitude and like me, you'll never look at another GIS platform.

CONS: I have never ever had Maptitude NOT do what I asked of it. I can think of no problems at all.

PROS: This product makes it possible to perform sophisticated spatial analysis with almost no training. Each version of the product has continued to improve and more analysis tools have been added to the package. Maptitude has always been the best buy of all GIS software, but the continuous improvements have ensured that it is as powerful today as it always has been. Maptitude has the added benefit of converting files between types of GIS software perfectly. The incorporation of imagery is now essential and very welcome. Maptitude is a critical spatial analysis tool. There is no better, more stable GIS software.

CONS: I did not like the new location of the layout option on the menu.

PROS: Besides it's user-friendliness and robust data bundle with the software, the best thing about Maptitude is its data conversion engine that allows it to read & write data from & to other GIS platforms. First-rate performance by the tech support team to diagnosing and fixing an occasional application problem, performing user-provided data conversion (e.g.. to convert an ESRI gdb into ESRI shp or Maptitude dbd format) and supply tailor-made elevation data for a project area; all examples of the commitment to their user base.

CONS: Data parsing functionality could be enhanced somewhat with a utility function that could scan a string data field and return the number of "words" in that string. Then user could write a script that would reliably populate a target field with the expected pieces of a source field (e.g. breaking down complex street address into component parts for discrete fields, allowing alpha-numeric sorts)

PROS: I use Maptitude mainly for strategic logistics studies, so for me the best features are things like: allocating drops to nearest depots, batch time and mileage calculations, volume flow lines, drivetime zones and the facility location tool.

CONS: Nothing - it used to be slow to install when you got a new version, but those problems are long gone. Any N/As I've filled in on the feature evaluation mean that I don't use those features - it's not a reflection on whether they exist.

PROS: Maptitude has always had an excellent and intuitive user interface. More recently, in the last 2-3 years Maptitude has really increased its analytical depth, with a number of new statistical and facility location capabilities. I have used Maptitude for over 20 years, and I can say from experience that it just keeps on getting better.

CONS: In the past, Maptitude's analytical depth left some to be desired, but recent updates have mostly fixed that.

PROS: Price/value is 2nd to none. Feature-rich, yet simple to use. Cost efficient, yet provides so much advanced capability.

CONS: Being honest, I can't think of anything that is a negative with this product.