Additional Web 2.0 Functionality Helps People Understand, Use, and Share Good Data

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 17, 2010 — (PRNewswire) — PolicyMap, the most comprehensive source for place-based data on the web, today announced four new tools to increase the availability and use of geographic data across web applications. They are Data Uploader, Data API, Widget, and Analytics.  These new tools were developed in response to demand from PolicyMap's government, civic, foundation, and for-profit customers looking for more ways to incorporate geographic data into their business and decision-making processes.

PolicyMap offers more than 10,000 indicators, including data on demographics, education, crime, health, real estate, mortgage finance, vacancy, transit, and school performance.  All of the data can be visualized in fluid maps, plotted on tables and charts, or analyzed through reports.  PolicyMap's new tools make data and online mapping more relevant while keeping it simple and accessible:

Data Uploader – Organizations can upload their own data, such as investment locations, loans, property surveys, etc. into PolicyMap, share it with the public or select others, cross reference with 10,000+ indicators, and produce custom maps, charts, and tables.

Data API – Clients can incorporate PolicyMap's data into other web applications, including Google and Bing Map platforms, to produce data rich, fluid, interactive maps for their websites.

Widget – Users can easily embed multi-layer, interactive PolicyMap maps featuring selected data into their websites using a simple iFrame code.

Analytics – PolicyMap identifies geographic areas that meet up to three criteria on a map so clients can identify and explore target markets quickly and easily.

"Organizations need information – good, easy-to-understand, relevant data – to make decisions," said Maggie McCullough, Director of PolicyMap.  "They need to know what is going on in the neighborhoods, counties, and states in which they work and keep track of how life in those places is changing.  We've long recognized that good data drives smart decisions.  The Web 2.0 world gives organizations and governments a multitude of ways to find information. Our goal is to make it accurate, simple and accessible."

High-profile organizations already using PolicyMap's new tools include the National Association of Realtors, the MacArthur Foundation, the Brookings Institution, Comcast, Federal Reserve Banks across the nation, and Dan Rather Reports.  Much of PolicyMap's data and visualization tools are available to users without charge.  The four new tools and proprietary data are available by subscription or with a license.

About PolicyMap

PolicyMap is a fully web-based Geographic Information System created by The Reinvestment Fund. It was developed to help decision-makers access, evaluate, and analyze the most accurate data available. PolicyMap is fast, efficient, and captures data in visually powerful ways through custom demographic maps, tables, reports, and analytics. Available data includes demographics, home sale statistics, health data, mortgage trends, school performance scores, labor data, crime statistics and city crime rates. More information can be found at www.PolicyMap.com.

About The Reinvestment Fund

TRF, a national leader in the financing of neighborhood revitalization, has invested $1 billion in Mid-Atlantic communities since 1985. A CDFI, TRF finances housing, community facilities, supermarkets, and commercial projects. It also provides public policy expertise by helping clients create actionable solutions and by sharing data and analyses via its online data and mapping tool at  www.PolicyMap.com.  More information about TRF at  www.trfund.com.

SOURCE PolicyMap

Contact:

PolicyMap TRF PolicyMap Cass Oryl Email Contact +1-202-309-2263 Web: http://www.trfund.com