news...TTG announces the release of Territory Mapper V4.0! For information on the new features and upgrading from V3.x click here. NEW 2007C 5-Digit ZIP Code update now available for Territory Mapper users. Save $150 with our NEW V4 Premium Bundle Offer. NEW Geocoding Service available for account based alignments.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsThis page contains the answers to several of the most commonly asked pre-sales questions on Territory Mapper. If your question is not answered here, please email us your question and we will respond as quickly as possible. We read all of our email! Table of Contents
1. Can I import my current territory definitions into Territory Mapper? Yes, Territory Mapper allows you to load your territory alignments directly into your documents via one of several common data formats including Access, Excel, Dbase and text files. Territory Mapper will use this information to construct your hierarchy (up to 4 levels) and all the nested folders and folder names automatically. By loading your territory definitions from a file you can speed up the process of creating a document that contains a large number of territories. In addition, you can rebuild documents quickly and easily from a Territory Mapper export file or data from another source.
2. Does Territory Mapper include 5-Digit ZIP Codes? If so, are they up-to-date? The US 5-Digit ZIP Code map layer is included in the Territory Mapper Premium Bundle. It is not included in the basic program (Territory Mapper), however it is available as a separate add-on at a very reasonable price. We sell it this way to keep the price of the basic product as low as possible for those that do not need the 5-Digit ZIP Code detail for their territory design applications. The US 5-Digit ZIP Code Add-On is available for $199, which is quite a bargain given that the street price for this database is about $2,000. The evaluation version of Territory Mapper that we make available for download is the Premium Bundle and it does include the 5-Digit ZIP Code map layer for the entire US to give you an opportunity to try it out. If you decide not to purchase the 5-Digit ZIP Codes or the Premium Bundle, then the ZIP Code data will be removed when you install your licensed software. If you need the US 5-Digit ZIP Code map layer for your application, you should consider purchasing the Territory Mapper Premium Bundle which DOES include the 5-Digit ZIP Code boundaries at a savings of $150. We keep our 5-Digit ZIP Code map layer current by updating them every 3 months with the most current information from the US Post Office. Updates are available at any time from TTG at the same price. Updates to this data are not included in the license fee for Territory Mapper.
3. Will Territory Mapper automatically design territories for me using my data? No, Territory Mapper is a basic territory mapping and alignment application and does not contain an Optimizer - a complex set of heuristic algorithms that automatically design optimal territories by minimizing travel and balancing workload, market potential or other data metrics. TTG specializes in this type of software however, and offers a professional level product called AlignStar that does have an Optimizer. AlignStar contains many advanced features including spatial data analysis and a "Territory Expert" that will evaluate your current territories and make recommendations on how to make them better and where to position your reps for ideal coverage and minimized travel time. You can get more information on AlignStar at the AlignStar web site: www.alignstar.com.
4. Can I install Territory Mapper on more than one PC? Territory Mapper is licensed to a single user. If you want to install Territory Mapper for use by more than one person, you will need to purchase multiple licenses. We offer discounts for purchases of 2 or more copies of Territory Mapper. Discounted prices are calculated automatically when you select a quantity of 2 or more in your shopping cart. Please go to the order page to see what the discount is for the quantity you need. The Territory Mapper End User License Agreement (EULA) however, does provide for use on two computers by a single individual. Here is the section of the EULA that refers to use of the software: "1(a) You may use the Software on any single computer; use the Software on a network, provided that each person accessing the Software through the network must have a copy licensed to that person; use the Software on a second computer so long as only one copy is used at a time; or copy the Software for archival purposes, provided any copy must contain all of the original Software's proprietary notices."
5. I need to map territories in the US, Canada and Mexico. Can I do this with the basic software? Yes, you can. However, in order to do this, you will need to purchase the Canada & Mexico Add-on. This Add-On is compatible with both Territory Mapper and the Premium Bundle.
Our 5-Digit ZIP Code map layer contains every active ZIP Code in the US with the exception of APOs and GPOs (special Military ZIP Codes that include military bases, aircraft carriers, etc.). This means that we include all ZIP Codes with and without people living in them. Our map layer contains every US ZIP Code including PO Boxes and other types of unpopulated ZIP Codes. Examples of unpopulated ZIP Codes include shopping malls, hospitals, universities, office buildings and government facilities. Our ZIP Code map data contains over 7,000 of these unpopulated ZIP Codes with the total number of ZIP Codes in the US running at approximately 42,000. 7. I need to plot locations on a map using information in an Excel file. Can Territory Mapper do this? Yes, it can. This is accomplished through our Account feature. Territory Mapper will allow you to link to a total of 10 files containing locations in a variety of formats including Excel, Access, dBase and text. You can also manually add point data using the Pushpin feature if your locations are not available in a data file. For more advanced territory design applications requiring account based territory alignments, we offer an advanced product line called AlignStar. For more information on this product, visit our AlignStar web site at www.alignstar.com.
8. My territories are currently defined primarily by state and county? Can Territory Mapper assist in converting them to ZIP Codes? Yes. Actually, with Territory Mapper this process is very simple and painless. Territory Mapper allows you to designate a particular map layer as your "alignment layer". This is the map layer that is used with designing and realigning territories. If you initially start using states or counties as your alignment layer, with 2 quick mouse clicks you can change to ZIP Codes. Territory Mapper understands the relationships between all the map units and will instantly convert your territory definitions to ZIP Codes.
9. I need to create maps in an electronic format. Can Territory Mapper do this? Yes. Territory Mapper can generate maps in all of the most common graphic formats including JPG, GIF, BMP, TIF and PDF. It also includes a feature called Batch Map that automates the process of creating maps (hard copy or graphic images) of each territory in your document. With a single command, you can create hundreds or even thousands of custom maps for each element in your sales hierarchy.
10. Does Territory Mapper load data from ACT, SalesForce.com or other contact managers or CRMs? Territory Mapper links to data using ODBC and supports all of the standard ODBC data formats including: Text, Access, Excel and Dbase. As long as there is a geographic code (geocode) such as ZIP Code in your data or a latitude/longitude coordinate, you can link to your data and see it on a map. Most CRM systems allow you to export your data (or perform a query) to one of the supported formats.
11. Do you have street level maps for Territory Mapper? Since the application of territory design rarely requires this level of detail, street level maps are not included in Territory Mapper. We do include a highways file that contains over 400,000 miles of roads including every Interstate, US and State highway as well as a complement of County and Local roads. If you need maps containing street level detail, try one of the readily available shrink-wrapped street mapping products.
12. Is it possible to set up sales areas with Territory Mapper by state or county and then import a list of customers and have them assigned to the defined territories? Yes, this is easy to accomplish with Territory Mapper. Territory Mapper contains a feature called AutoAlign which will automatically align any unassigned areas (or points such as customers or prospects) to the nearest assigned area. You can then export your territory definitions for each County, ZIP Code or account. TTG also offers a professional level territory design product called AlignStar that will optimize your territories for you automatically while creating balanced, travel efficient territories. You can get more information on AlignStar here.
13. Is it possible to balance territories with Territory Mapper? Yes. To check on how well your territories are balanced on any variable, first make any alignment changes that you want, then create a territory summary report including the data variable you are interested in. Depending on the report that you choose you will see not only the territory data totals but also a percent deviation from the mean for each territory.
14. Will Territory Mapper run on my Mac? Territory Mapper is designed to run on a PC. We do not support the Mac operating system although some of our users have reported that it runs fine on the new Macs containing Intel processors or under Windows emulation. TTG will support software installed on a Mac but cannot offer any assistance for hardware specific problems if users choose to run the software on unsupported hardware and operating systems. For a listing of hardware and software requirements, click here.
Yes, of course. The evaluation version Territory Mapper is complete and fully functional for a period of 14 days from date of installation. If you find that you have not had sufficient time to fully evaluate the software within the 14 day period, simply call or email us and we will provide you with an activation name and key to reactivate your evaluation software.
16. Are there any limitations in the trial version? No, the evaluation version of Territory Mapper is complete with no limitations or crippled features. In fact, the software you download to evaluate is the Territory Mapper Premium bundle which includes US 5-Digit ZIP Codes as well as the additional map layers contained in the Extended Map Set.
17. I don't think I need the ZIP Codes right now. Can I add them at a later time? Yes, you can add (or update) the US ZIP Code Add-On at any time.
Yes, absolutely. Territory Mapper will let you link to your customer location data and will create "accounts" or symbols on your map for each customer. It will also create a complete sales hierarchy from your data and then assign each customer to a territory folder in the hierarchy. Each territory will be color coded on the map. If you then want to assign all the underlying ZIP Codes to territories, Territory Mapper has a feature called Auto Align that will automatically assign the ZIP Codes to territories based on the territory assignment of the nearest customer.
Territory Mapper currently only supports mapping territories in North America including the United States, Canada and Mexico. To map and create territories in Canada and Mexico you need to license the optional Canada & Mexico Add-on. In the future we may expand our international coverage if there is a sufficient demand for additional countries. Please check our web site or call us for the status on our international coverage.
20. I need some software that will allow me to create franchise areas. Can Territory Mapper do this? Yes, you can use Territory Mapper for any application that requires grouping of geographic areas. We have many users that create franchise territories with Territory Mapper.
21. I sell to different types of accounts. Can I show these on a map? Yes, Territory Mapper has a feature that allows you to establish data based rules for controlling the display of accounts. You can easily establish a rule to tell Territory Mapper to use one type of symbol for the display of a "Drug Store" and another symbol for the display of a "Convenience Store". You can even create territories that are comprised exclusively of one type of account by turning all other account types off prior to aligning them with the lasso tool.
22. Can Territory Mapper export my maps to PDF? Yes, Territory Mapper can export graphic images of your maps to several popular graphic file formats including PDF, GIF, JPG, BMP, TIF and can even generate maps and push them out to your Power Point presentation. The BatchMap feature automates this process by allowing you to generate maps of all your territories in an unattended mode and save them to your hard drive in the format of your choice. |
Territory Mapper Wins a Four-Star
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Rating from ZDNet Independent Reviewers!