-------- Original Message -------- Subject: mapinfo v esri, and fraud detection Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 10:43:09 -0400 From: Gene Shackman <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] ------------------ Hi all Two questions: 1. What are the MAJOR differences or advantages between MapInfo and ESRI products (arcgis, arcview, etc...) Both can do simple maps, so why would I choose one over the other? I work in government, mainly mapping government programs, services we provide, where client live, compared with poverty. If the major advantages can be stated relating to those terms, great. If not, great too. 2. Has anyone used gis for fraud detection in government programs? For example, according to a recent news story on informationbuilders web site and news stories they linked to, the Louisiana DSS used WebFocus from Informationbuilders and software from ESRI (makers of Arcview) to map where Food Stamp (FS) recipients lived and where they used their coupons. Some of the things they looked at to detect fraud were: transactions per client; when clients redeemed their checks at stores far away from where they lived; and when stores frequently redeemed checks from people who lived far away. Has anyone used gis software besides ESRI and WebFocus? How much did they cost, what other software is recommended? If I get lots of responses, I can post summaries to the list. Thanks Gene Gene Shackman, Ph.D. Evaluation and Analysis Unit NYS DOH - Division of Nutrition 150 Broadway, FL6 West Albany NY 12204 518 402 7304 [log in to unmask] --------------------------------------------------- Applied Sociologist - Problem Solver ---------------------------------------------------