Hello,

I would like to optmize the location of a distribution centre. Therefore I have data like the postal code and the amount of tons sent to the postal code area. Is it possible to show the optimal location where a new distribution centre should be build up?

Thanks

best regards

hutjes

You could plot the data (shaded area), and then visually choose a suitable spot.

If you want something more mathematical, then a bit of custom programming could do this. If straight line distances and postcode centroids are acceptable, then it should be a pretty simple.

Sophisticated variations would include real distances (or travel times) rather than straight line distances. This would be useful where they were is a significant barrier between important postcodes. Working in the Western Highlands & Islands of Scotland would be an excellent example - the drive from Ayr to the Mull of Kintyre is quite a bit longer than the straight line distance!

It would be difficult to do better than postcode centroids unless you had more detailed information.

Richard

Thank you Richard,

but where can I get those solutions? For the short time straight line distances and postcode centroids are acceptable. Can you please send a link, where I can obtain it or post the code so that I´ll be able to do it myself?

Thanks

Hutjes

You need to find a location object for each postcode (look at the FindResults() and related methods in the help).

For this Location object you will need its coordinates. You could use OS coordinates if you're upto that, but longitude & latitude would make a good start. MapPoint 2006 (not yet released for Europe) will make this easy, but for now you have to use Gilles Kohl's "CalcPos" routine - search these forums and the mp2kmag site for the VB6 code. (Gilles released it as freeware).

Then you calculate a simple weighted mean of the coordinates. Use the tons for your weights.

Eg. TonA = tonnage for location A, etc
SumTons = Total Tonnage

Therefore WeightA = TonA / SumTons

Weighted Centroid Latitude = Sum( of all Latitudes multiplied by their respective weights)
Weighted Centroid Longitude = Sum( of all Longitudes multiplied by their respective weights)

Note that the Earth is a sphere, and this will become less accurate over larger areas - the UK is probably about the limit. Using OS coordinates would also help to avoid spherical problems (note that OS coordinates would also limit you to an area about the size of the UK!)

Richard