October 12, 2007
I Need Your Help
Oh the list that title brings to mind, but this time is has to do with software and my job. It's all about the job. That's what's keepin' me sane right now!
My territory is from Central Illinois up to Central Wisconsin. Basically find Peoria on the map and draw a line across the state, then go up to Wisconsin and find Wausau and draw another line across the state. THAT, is my turf.
Now, it's no secret I am geographically challenged. Plus, that's a lot of open road, with little towns scattered everywhere, some not even on my atlas.
I'm looking for some kind of software (cheap) that I can type in the name of a town and see everything around it within a certain mile radius.
I know it's out there, and I've been trying to do it with Rand McNally but it's not giving me what I need.
In Florida I'd jump in the car and just drive. Here? It's not as simple.
Any ideas? I'm trying to put together a $1M deal, HUGE for this area, but I really need to have a better understanding of what's in each of the areas.
Have you tried using Mapquest, Yahoo Maps or Google Maps?
You also might want to look into a GPS system. I know I can enter in a zip code and have it search for various things up to so many miles around that area.
Posted by: Contagion at October 12, 2007 08:26 AMHave you tried Google Earth?
Posted by: sarahk at October 12, 2007 09:04 AMI need to know the miles between these town....and I'm having a hard time with that using google and mapquest.
The GPS is just not in the budget. Not yet, plus it'll GET me to these places but will it help me as I "protect" a territory.
See, if someone will do $1M in business, and carry only my brand then I need to protect their area. No other dealers will carry my stuff within, oh say 25 - 30 miles. That's if it's out a ways........
I wish I knew this area better, but honestly I have no time or inclination at this point to just drive around by myself tryin' to figure all this out....
Posted by: Tammi at October 12, 2007 09:15 AMwhat u need is a combination of tools & not just one. u need demographical research into the major towns in ur mkt such as median income, population etc. - census.
for maps u need a combo of google maps (dist & directions) & google earth. oh tunel ... later
Posted by: michele at October 12, 2007 09:45 AMwww.flashearth.com is saving me big headaches at the moment.
Hey- you're still in your jammies!
But Michele is right, you need more than one tool.
Posted by: Raging Mom at October 12, 2007 12:05 PMHave you tried Map?
I'm not talking software. I mean just a plain 'ol fold up Rand Mc Nally map? Get the laminated ones. One for Illinois and one for Wisconsin. Seriously.
I'll get you started. When you pull out of your driveway, most of Illinois is to your left. Rockford and all of Wisconsin is to your right. :-)
Posted by: Jerry at October 12, 2007 10:46 PMdon't know if ur interested... but physicsgeek.mu.nu has a link to:
how to construct a homemade GPS and GLONASS receivers, together with their operating software.
thought u might be intersted.
Posted by: michele at October 13, 2007 01:39 AM