We've done something like this here at the IMA... We DO collect zipcode data from visitors during the ticketing process and stored in our Patron's Edge database. We chose to write a google maps mashup that would pull this data from Patron's Edge and plot it on the map. We also wanted to compare this admissions info with the census data for that zipcode. For this, we used the information from zipskinny.com and pulled that into the Google Map as well. I agree with Rich that the harder part is working with Marketing and Administration about how we should act on this information now that we have it. We're still in process there, but seeing the information in action is definately helpful in envisioning how this should happen.
You can check-out what we've done on our Dashboard website here: http://dashboard.imamuseum.org/series/Admissions+Map We're happy to talk with folks more about how to implement this type of solution if you're interested... Rob On Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 12:14 AM, Rich Cherry <rcherry at balboaparkonline.org>wrote: > Chris, > > I have used Microsoft MapPoint... It imports CSV, XLS and can connect to > SQL databases. So while it works pretty good for the mapping part, I found > is that Marketing usually has a hard time acting on that kind of data. It > ends up being a neat visualization with little effective ROI. Also be > careful that the process allows for the users not to give a zip as > admissions staff will make up data if there is no skip button when a patron > refuses... they punch in their own zip or the museums to avoid arguing with > the patron. > > Rich > > > Rich Cherry > Director > Balboa Park Online Collaborative > A Project of the Benbough Operating Foundation > 2131 Pan American Plz > San Diego, CA 92101 > B: (619) 819-8331 > F: (619) 819-8230 > rcherry at balboaparkonline.org > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu] On Behalf Of > Chris Scrofani > Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 6:33 PM > To: Museum Computer Network Listserv > Subject: [MCN-L] Zip Code Statistics > > Hello All, > > We are thinking about asking our visitors for their zip code when they > enter our museum. We know that many other museums do this as well. We > are curious as to the best way to use the collected data though. > > I'm curious if there is a type of "zip code stats" type of program or > website, that allows you to import a text file (.csv or other), and then > analyzes the zip codes and shows you graphs / maps / lists of where your > visitors come from. Does anyone know of something like this? > > How do you all interpret your zip code data once it has been collected? > > Thanks, > Chris > > -- > Chris Scrofani > Network Administrator > Honolulu Academy of Arts > 900 South Beretania Street > Honolulu, HI 96814 > Tel. 808 532-3625 > cscrofani at honoluluacademy.org > > _______________________________________________ > You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer > Network (http://www.mcn.edu) > > To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu > > To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: > http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l > > The MCN-L archives can be found at: > http://toronto.mediatrope.com/pipermail/mcn-l/ > _______________________________________________ > You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer > Network (http://www.mcn.edu) > > To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu > > To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: > http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l > > The MCN-L archives can be found at: > http://toronto.mediatrope.com/pipermail/mcn-l/ >
