MapInfo GIS is of the major competitors to ESRI, which primarily sold more expensive GIS software, though functionality it covers many of the same things as ArcGIS. MapInfo GIS is comprehensive location-intelligence software package targeted mainly to business users but widely deployed for a range of geospatial applications, such as network planning in telecommunications, city planning, and emergency response. It is a powerful mapping and analysis tool packed with features to help users identify trends and patterns to make informed decisions in the context of business.
MapInfo GIS is extremely user-friendly and flexible, and can be easily integrated with users’ IT systems. It supports a range of data formats including many common PC file formats (such as Microsoft Excel, Access, DBF, and CSV files), relational and spatial database formats (Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, PostGIS, SQLite, and ODBC compliant databases), and spatial data formats (AutoCAD, DXF/DWG, SHP, DGN, and more). Users can also use imagery of almost any formats.
Overall, MapInfo GIS is a versatile Windows based software and application. Users of MapInfo GIS consider it to be easier to use than many of its competitors. Learning MapInfo is therefore relative easy. Course and additional learning materials are widely available globally. However, some users criticize that the programming platform (MapBasic http://www.mapinfo.com/product/mapinfo-mapbasic/) is not easy to use. In addition, there are a lot of confusion between text and labels, and there are problems with sizing. It has poor topological editing and creating. Furthermore, the price for upgrade is very expensive.
The MapInfo GIS platform represents a standard of usability in location intelligence solutions. It allows users to create, edit, visualize, and analyze customer and business data in the context of location. MapInfo GIS helps business analysts, planners, GIS professionals, and even non-GIS users gain new insights into their markets, share information-rich maps, and improve strategic decision-making.
The MapInfo GIS platform is extensible, and a large number of plug-ins has been created to add additional functionality. The MapInfo GIS platform offers a full set of programming components that support the development of desktop and mobile applications and a server platform that can be used to host data and mapping services for delivery to desktop, mobile, and web-based applications.
Geographic information science, widely used in numerous domains. Links to information about MapInfo’s products use in many domains is available from MapInfo’s “industries” page.
http://www.mapinfo.com/industries
Commercial software, annual licensing. Academic and volume licensing is available. A very limited number of products are available as free applications. A listing of available products is provided at
http://www.mapinfo.com/products