October 2011A Release:

AGS Database Methodology Guide
AGS Master Variable List


2011A Database Changes

1. Census 2010
The PL94 and group quarters releases are available from the 2010 census. The available variable count is limited; however, we will be releasing the SF1 data within the next several weeks. As of this date, eleven states have not been released. At current rates the remainder should be released by the end of August.

2. Quality of Life Indexes
These are available in two formats, either as the original scores (0-1000 based) or as standard indexes. Please see the database documentation for further details.

3. Historical Business Data
In addition to the current year, we will be releasing (or, more correctly re-releasing) data for five years previous.   For this release, the historical business data is for 2006. Variable names are the same as the current year file, with the CY being replaced by HY. Please note that only the basic file is included. The detail NAICS file is not present.
 
Software Enhancements
 
SnapSite release 1.1 includes a substantial number of improvements over the initial release. These are well documented within the help file which is shipped with the system. 
 
1. Mosaic Analysis
Mosaic Profiles now have an optional profile chart which can be printed or saved to a bitmap for inclusion in reports.

The Mosaic tools have been extended to allow you to create custom aggregations of Mosaic segments. These are referred to as “Target Groups”. Target groups can be created either manually or by using a Mosaic Profile report to automatically group segments according to their index values.

A Target Group can be used as the basis for any Mosaic report and can be used for Mosaic coding so that you can code a file with the target group codes.  

Multiple groupings can be in use, but only one can be active at any time.

2. Statistical Analysis
SnapSite now includes a number of commonly used statistical analysis tools which will serve as the basis for a growing range of analytical functions within SnapSite. They can, however, be used directly. The analytical tools include:

• Summary statistics
• Histograms and x-y scatter plots
• Correlation analysis
• Multiple linear regression
• Principal components analysis
• K-Means clustering

In addition, you may use the variable computation function on any dBase file.  

3. Analysis Tools

• Site Signatures. Given a stored site signature (e.g. for a good retail site), this allows you to compare any other site to the target site.   A highly correlated signature may indicate that the new site compares will to the target site.
• Distance Decay Analysis. Given a file with customer addresses (optionally weighted by dollars) for multiple stores and a second file containing the store locations, this function will show the distance decay curve for any store or for all stores combined.

Additional analytical tools are planned for the next release of SnapSite.

For more information about SnapSite, click here.