Principles of GIS

 

The purpose of this assignment will be to investigate the theoretical and technical problems of using the postcode systems in any one country of the world for market research, geo-intelligence and monitoring the geographical dimension's of an organisations' activities. Many countries have a postcode system for efficiently managing delivery of surface mail.  The characteristics of the  postcode system often differs however from one country to another although some share a similar theoretical foundation.

 

Postcodes (or ZIP codes) are often used to capture data for market research, geographical analysis, monitoring effectiveness of promotional campaigns and related activities.  They are also used for defining territories e.g. sales, medical practices, schools and other services.

 

The purpose of this assignment will be to research the characteristics of the postcode system in any one country and explain how the postcode system could be exploited by using it as the basis of a zoning system for using in GIS, thematic mapping and business management. 

 

You should consider an approach such as the following although you can choose a different approach if you wish:

 

1.  Select a country that has an established postcode system. Study the postcode system of your chosen country. Most of the countries in Europe, North America and some in other parts of the world such as Australia, New Zealand, etc. have established postcode or ZIP code systems in operation.

 

2.  Search the scientific literature, Internet and mail organisation to find out what you can about the postcode system in the country you have chosen. You should try to find out the theoretical basis of the postcode system, how it is used or applied for delivering surface mail and to what extent it can be used effectively for sales and marketing, market research and other activities. You should consider that you are working for a single large organisation (e.g. University, Hospital or charity) or business operating solely in your chosen country with a contact's database of suppliers, customers, employees, patients, students or whatever).

 

3.  You should describe the main characteristics of the postcode system of your chosen country using illustrations if they are relevant and help to elucidate your description ( max. 2 x A4 pages of text with additional space for illustrations as necessary)

 

4.       You should explain how the postcode system that you have chosen could be used in a GIS for analysing the geographical distribution of contacts from the organisation's database.  What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats from using the postcode system for market research and promotional campaigns? What theoretical and practical problems are you likely to have to have in using the postcode system of a country? What levels of accuracy and precision could you expect from geo-referenced data?

 

5.       You should discuss how you could exploit the postcode system using a GIS with full access to the organisation's database for gaining geo-intelligence about your organisation's activities. (max 2 x A4 pages of text with additional space as necessary for illustrations).