What’s Changed on the New PolicyMap!

Welcome to the preview of the new PolicyMap! Since we launched 6 years ago, we’ve added more data, more features and more tools in response to the needs of our users. In the process, we know that the main interface for using PolicyMap became cluttered, making it difficult for our users to do their work quickly and efficiently. That is about to end.

The new look has full-screen maps and a contemporary interface. Watch our quick video of the preview:

So what’s really changed?

• A simpler search bar. The default search is now locations, so users can still enter an Address, City, County, or Zip Code. Pre-define geographies like; Census tracts, Congressional Districts, School Districts, and others are located in a new drop-down menu.



• Our data menus are now full screen. Data Layers and Data Points are side by side in easy to navigate categories, giving you access to over 15,000 geographic indicators. For a summary of data layers and points in each category, see our data indicators list.
   
  The data menu is broken into four sections; Data Layers, Data Points, Subscriber Shared Data, and PolicyMap Suggestions.
  
  1. Data Layers – are datasets shown as thematic or “heat” maps; shaded areas in a darker color represent the higher concentration or amount or percentage, anything in a lighter shade is the opposite of the range.
  2. Data Points – are point or address level datasets, displaying icons for each address. Point datasets will have unique filtering and coloring coding options.
  3. Subscriber Shared Data – are point datasets created by users utilizing the Data Loader and shared with all PolicyMap users.
  4. PolicyMap Suggestions – are links relevant to the category including; blog articles related to the category, similar datasets, or the ability to suggest new datasets to PolicyMap.

 

• Maps have brand new color ramps





• Customizing the a data layer and data point is much easier with the new legends.
  Years– Depending on the data layer added, you can toggle between available years, quarters, and months. Some years are only available to subscribers and trial users.
  Variables – Changing the variable will change how the data is displayed on the map. You can toggle between different variables, including the number, currency, percent, or even the change across years.
  Shade by– PolicyMap displays data at different geography levels; the zoom level determines what geography the map is shaded by. The shade by pull down menu gives you the ability to change the geography at which the current data layer is shaded.
  Movable legends– Legends can be dragged to any location on the map. Select the bar on top or anywhere within of the legend and then drag.
  Collapsible legends– On top of the legend are options to collapse the legend, the (–) symbol on the right will minimize the legend, which will be replaced by an (+) to maximize the legend.

  (Maximized) (Minimized)

 

• Take your map with you by saving, printing, embed, or email. We’ve move these simple functions to the top right, but nothing has changed on how to save, print, and share your work.



• The My Data tab on the top left will now show all datasets created in your account or shared with your account, as well as data layers that have been marked as a favorite.



After our official launch of the new PolicyMap, we will have a series of blog post highlighting each feature and what has changed. Join one of our training sessions to learn more about the new PolicyMap!

If you have any questions or help with the new user interface, contact us at info@policymap.com or call us (866) 923-MAPS.