Software & Tools - ICPI/GIS GitHub Wiki
DATIM Maps App
DATIM is a system internal to PEPFAR, built on dhis2, that allows users to access, analyze, and download PEPFAR-collected data. The GIS Map App facilitates creation of basic maps based on these data. DATIM access is only available to PEPFAR implementing partners and USG staff supporting PEPFAR.
Panorama Mapping Dossier
Panorama is another system internal to PEPFAR, which is built on a business intelligence tool called MicroStrategy. Panorama includes a mapping dossier which provides geographic visualizations of testing, treatment, and viral load suppresion indicators at the subnational and facility levels. Panorama is only available to USG staff supporting PEPFAR. Those external to the PEPFAR program can visit the public version of Panorama, called Panorama Spotlight.
ArcGIS Desktop & ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS products are proprietary geospatial software developed by Esri. The two primary desktop applications they offer are ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro. ArcGIS Online is Esri's cloud-based mapping platform.
QGIS
QGIS is an free, open-source GIS platform that requires training to use but provides versatile map-making and spatial analysis tools.
Tableau
Tableau is a propriety business intelligence tool that enables users to create dynamic visualizations. The platform supports mapping capabilities, and connecting to shapefiles, KML, or GeoJSON to display custom geography like that used in the PEPFAR program.
R, RStudio, & R Shiny
R is programming language and free software environment for statistical computing and graphics. Other relevant pieces of the R environment are: RStudio, which makes using R easier; and R Shiny supports interactive web visualizations. For those with knowledge of the R language and/or interest to learn can visit the following mapping examples:
- Anderson, E. (2014) - Making Maps with R
- Engel, C. (2019) - Using Spatial Data with R
- Brundson, C. & Comber, L. (2019) - Code for An Introduction to Spatial Analysis and Mapping in R 2nd edition
- Bartlein, P. (2019) - Geographic Data Analysis
ScapeToad Cartograms & QGIS Cartograms
The above linked tools facilitate the creation of contiguous cartograms. Continuous cartograms "distort the geometry of geographical regions in proportion to the data value associated with that region. So the larger the value, the more distorted and enlarged the region’s area is." (definition sourced from dataviscatalogue.com)
ColorBrewer
Color advice for cartography
Data-driven Color Schemes
Custom color schemes built on top of well-known standards for color use on maps, with next generation enhancements for the web and CARTO basemaps.
Adobe Color
Tool for creating and customizing color palettes
Werner's Nomenclature of Colours
A recreation of the original 1821 color guidebook with new cross references, photographic examples, and posters designed by Nicholas Rougeux. Hex codes from the project are available in a Google Doc
Projection Wizard
Online tool that assists with choosing map projections based on the geographic area you’re viewing, distortion property you care about (e.g., equal-area or conformal), and projection recommendations published by Snyder
AccessMod
"AccessMod (version 5) is a free and open-source standalone software to model how physically accessible existing health services are to the target population, to estimate the part of the target population that would not receive care despite being physically accessible due to shortage of capacity in these services (human or equipment), to measure referral times and distances between health facilities, and to identify where to place new health facilities to increase population coverage through the scaling up analysis."