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Answered By: Leslie Burmeister
Last Updated: May 08, 2024     Views: 1730

Q.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Tools

What GIS resources are available to Harvard affiliates?


A.

Harvard provides access to several tools that allow you to map data:

  • SimplyAnalyticsweb-based mapping tool that incorporates market research data from Experian Simmons and Claritas Prizm, business demographic data from Dun & Bradstreet, as well as demographic data including income, age, race and educational attainment from the US Census.
  • Business Analyst Online: access to data on demographics and businesses in the USA. Business Analyst Online is intended for commercial audiences focused primarily on site selection. Access to is database is provided through Harvard University’s Esri site license, only for HUID holders.
  • ArcGIS is available to Harvard affiliates only within the Harvard network.  ArcGIS enables you to create, organize, and share geographic information and tools, using maps and apps.  License registration is required.  It is available as desktop software in the Stamps Reading room on the CD-ROM machine (next to the Bloomberg terminal).
  • QCGIS : desktop GIS with numerous plugins and connections to other databases and services such as PostGIS, WMS and Google Earth.  It is available in the Stamps Reading room on the CD-ROM machine (next to the Bloomberg terminal).
  • Google Earth Proallows you to view satellite imagery from nearly anywhere on earth.   It is available in the Stamps Reading room on the CD-ROM machine (next to the Bloomberg terminal).
  • PolicyMapweb-based GIS platform for the United States. It captures data through custom demographic maps, tables, reports and analytics. PolicyMap's can incorporate your own data and leverage it against the thousands of indicators already available. Available data includes demographics, home sale statistics, health data, mortgage trends, school performance scores and labor data like unemployment, crime statistics and city crime rates
  • Social ExplorerPresents historical census data for the United States through the use of interactive maps and reports. Currently provides access to data from 1940 to 2000 at census tract, county, state and national level.

The Harvard Center for Geographic Analysis includes software, data, current projects at Harvard, and other resources of interest to the GIS community.  The Center also hosts training workshops and online video tutorials.

U.S. Cluster MappingAllows you to explore regions by analyzing cluster or to find clusters of a given industry. Supported by the Harvard Business School and U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.

eAtlas of Human Developmentfree online application from the World Bank.  It facilitates creating maps out of Human Development Indicators such as income distribution, educational attainment and availability of water.