When DIY Customization Isn’t Enough

In a blog post two weeks ago we talked about how you can customize some of our CDXZipStream Excel templates to meet your specific needs.  However, when it comes to more complex calculations, especially for very large data sets, do-it-yourself customization may not be enough.  When you need an Excel template for zip code, address, and other location-based analysis, and our CDXZipStream free templates don’t fit the bill, consider contacting us for a free quote on a custom template built just for you.  In many cases we can build on our past experience, allowing for very quick (less than 5 business days) turn-around time on your project.   Here are a few examples of the kinds of analyses a custom template can perform:

Multiple Route Optimization:  When managing sales call schedules or customer service visits, it may be necessary to perform repeated route optimizations on a frequent basis.   In some cases, the number of stops on a route can be fairly large, up to 50 or more addresses that need to be included in the optimization process.  Although we do offer a free template that performs optimization for a single route, running this multiple time may not an efficient use of your time.   A customized template can be specifically designed to manage multiple routes, and also be customized to make input of multiple address groups quick and easy.  

Radius Analysis or Route Optimization with additional data:  Address records usually include a lot of other associated data, such as name, telephone number, and other identifying numbers or historical information important for your organization.  When radius analysis or route optimization re-orders a long list of addresses, you can retain all associated data using a customized CDXZipStream template.  Field column headings can be custom-designed for your particular set of data, or left blank so you fill them in yourself.   

Multiple Radius Analyses with sorting:  Need to assign all customers to all your sales staff based on geographic proximity?  When doing multiple radius analyses involving a large x by y matrix of locations, it may be important to sort the results for each analysis based on some other variable.  For example, it may be necessary to find all customers within a 50 mile radius of each salesperson, then sort the customers for each based on account size, distance, product type, or any other data that may be helpful in deciding sales staff assignment.  Even without sorting this process can involve literally millions of calculations.  A customized template can handle the multiple radius analyses as well as automate the multiple sorting involved. 

Driving Distance Radius Analysis for very large data sets:   Some radius analyses require driving distance calculations for added accuracy.  Driving distance calculations are inherently slower than straight-line calculations, so when performing radius analyses for a large x by y matrix of locations, it’s best to take a two-pronged approach.  First, perform straight-line calculations for a wider radius than desired to narrow down the choices; for instance, if you need to find locations within a 25 mile driving radius, calculate the straight-line distance to all possible locations within a 50 mile radius.  Then from these results, perform driving calculations to determine which fall within the 25 mile radius.  Again, this technique involves many iterative calculations, including the use of mapping software like Microsoft MapPoint, that can best be handled in an automated, customized template.  

Think a customized template could work for you?  Contact us for a free quote at customsolutions@cdxtech.com or call 1-877-CDX-TEC1 (1-877-239-8321).

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