You can use the MobileScapes Data Extract tool to better understand mobile movement. This tool allows you to create a list of visitors identified within a certain area during a given time frame. This tool uses anonymized, permission-based data collected from location-enabled mobile devices. Visits can be tracked at a specific time and location, but cannot be tied back to a specific individual. For more information about privacy or how this data is collected, please contact your account representative.
Specify an area of interest - called a geofence - and a time period to return all the visitors that were present in that location and time. Once you have generated a list, you can use it as a list of customers in ENVISION and run customer reports and analyses like any other customer file.
The MobileScapes Data Extract tool can output data as either Weighted or Unweighted. For more information, see How do I toggle between Weighted and Unweighted data for MobileScapes Data Extracts? opens in new window
Use WalkMe Through to be taken through a step-by-step process in ENVISION itself. Click on the WalkMe Through button below to get started!
A note about query usage:
A query calculation is used for each extract.
1 geofence = 1 query, regardless of time period or size. Please note that the time period can be for a maximum of 2 years and the size is a maximum of 5 million sq ft.
- Launch the MobileScapes Data Extract tool.
Alternatively, you can perform a MobileScapes data extract directly from the Mapping tool. Accessing the MobileScapes Data Extract through mapping allows you to take advantage of the full array of mapping features, including adding reference layers and locations. The Tool Tile does not have these added layers and focuses exclusively on the creation and extraction of your geofence.
Navigate to Mapping in the left-side menu, click Add Layer, then click MobileScapes. - Click Licensed or Select/Create.
- Licensed: A list of geofences - any organization that has a MobileScapes Canada license will have access to these geofences.
- Select: A list of geofences that have been previously created by you or your organization.
- Create: This will allow you to draw an area on the map to specify an area of interest. You can also use an address to find a specific location on a map, or you can simply move the map to your area of interest.
Select one of the following options to continue:
Use a Licensed Geofence
- After clicking Licensed, the Geofence Explorer will load on the map, listing all of the available geofences. Note that there are a number of helpful resources pertaining to the geofence library found in the Additional Resources section of the MobileScapes Canada data page opens in new window.
- There are two ways to select geofences: from the geofence library or on the map.
a) Select from the geofence library:- Search for a keyword or location by typing in the "Filter Geofences" box.
- Or, use the filter feature in each field to locate your geofence. For a description of each geofence field, refer to the additional documentation opens in new window. You can also refer to the complete list of geofence categories opens in new window.
- Once you locate your geofence(s), select it by checking the box.
b) Select geofence(s) from the map:- Note: For best use of the mapping interface to locate geofences, it's recommended to go to the Mapping section of ENVISION to utilize the full selection of mapping tools opens in new window, including base layers (the hybrid base layer is ideal for drawing geofences) and reference layers.
- Move the map and use the zoom-in/out features to find your desired location.
- When Map View is selected in the geofence explorer, the list of geofences will filter according to the map area in view. Panning and zooming on the map will automatically filter the list. Note: This does not work the other way, that is, if you filter the geofence list, the map view will not automatically adjust.
- Select one or more geofences that appear on the map by using one of the selection tools:
- Box: Draw a box, starting from one corner, to select geofence(s). If any part of the geofence boundary intersects with the box, it will be selected.
- Polygon: Draw a customized shape to select geofence(s). If any part of a geofence boundary intersects with the shape, it will be selected.
- Circle: Draw a circle, starting from the centre and radiating out, to select geofence(s). If any part of a geofence boundary intersects with the circle, it will be selected.
- Click: Use this tool to click and select geofences individually.
- Clear: Remove all previous geofence selections.
- Click Next to confirm your geofence selection.
- Enter a Request Name for the extract. It is a good idea to be as descriptive as possible.
- Specify a Date Range. This can be a single day or longer, but the end date must not be later than a week prior to the current date. For example, you can choose to focus on the date of a specific event.
- Specify a Time Range. This could be an entire 24 hour period or specific time of day. For example, you can choose to focus on the duration of time for an event or just the hours of the day that a store is open. The default is a full 24 hour period.
- Specify the Days. It can be one day or every day of the week. All of the days are selected by default (highlighted in blue).
Tip: Use the Weekdays or Weekends button to specify those days with just one click. - Select an analysis type: Aggregate or Individual.
AGGREGATE extract: Combine multiple geofences to form a single, custom geofence. Each group of 20 geofences counts as 1 query. Example: 100 geofences count as 5 queries. (Note: Queries will always round up, for example, 21 geofences in an aggregate extract will use 2 queries).
INDIVIDUAL extract: Batch run multiple geofences with the same dates and times at once. If multiple geofences are selected for an INDIVIDUAL extract, each geofence counts as 1 query. Example: 100 geofences count as 100 queries. - Optional: When Aggregate analysis is selected, an Enable Group By Field(s) option will appear. Select one or more categories to group your extract results by. You can filter by these categories in your downloaded extract file.
Notes about the Group By Field(s) feature:- You may see a discrepancy between the queries required on the Confirm and Results pages. This is because the Confirm page (see step 13 below) does not account for geofences with minimal or no data (i.e. suppressed geofences). You will not lose a query to suppressed geofences. The Results page will display the correct query cost.
- Suppressed geofences also cause a discrepancy between the total geofence count on the Results page and the downloaded extract file. Suppressed geofences are included in the count on the Results page but not the file.
- Click Next. The confirmation window will appear, confirming your request.
- It is important to confirm your request details before submitting and spending queries. Confirm whether the analysis type is aggregate or individual if multiple geofences are selected, and confirm the date/time ranges and days. Check the box to confirm that you accept and click Submit.
When the MobileScapes data extract has finished running, navigate to the Results page or the My Data > Customers page to access your export.
Caution:- Accessing the Data Extract: This data extract will not appear immediately in your customer list. Depending on the size of your query, this request could take several minutes or even more than an hour to upload. You can now use this extract with any customer-based report and analysis in ENVISION.
- Low Sample Extracts: Please be aware of an extract that contains a small sample size. You will see a caution icon next to the extract with fewer than 450 records. Some factors that can negatively affect sample sizes include short time periods, small geofences, low foot traffic, and geofences in rural areas with smaller populations, as these areas tend to have lower device ID counts. To avoid low sample sizes, aggregate smaller geofences into groups (aggregate by geography and group geofences of the same type together). You can also extend the time period for smaller geofences (small stores may need 1-2 years of data) or select geofences with existing high foot traffic.
Create or Select a Geofence
- Click Select/Create to either select previously created geofences from the list or Create New Geofence. Use the search feature to locate your geofences by name or tags.
- When creating a new geofence, you can enter an address in the Search bar to focus on this area. Alternatively, you can zoom and pan to any location directly on the map.
- Enter a Name and optional Description for the area. The tag 'Geofence' is added automatically, but you can add more tags if desired.
- There are three tools available to draw custom geofences:
- Polygon: Use to trace the perimeter or any building or feature. To use, select the tool, click anywhere on the perimeter of the building or feature to drop a node and trace a straight line, click again to drop another node and change direction. Double click once the geofence is complete.
- Rectangle: Draw a four-sided geofence around any building or feature.
- Circle: Draw a circle around any building or feature.
Once your geofence is created, it can be edited using the select or select by rectangle tools.
Click your geofence to resize or rotate.
Note: The area can be no larger than 5 million square feet. - Polygon: Use to trace the perimeter or any building or feature. To use, select the tool, click anywhere on the perimeter of the building or feature to drop a node and trace a straight line, click again to drop another node and change direction. Double click once the geofence is complete.
- Click Save Geofence(s).
- You will be returned to your list of previously created geofences. Select your new geofence and any other geofences you've created that you want to include in the extract. Click Next.
- Enter a Request Name for the extract. It is a good idea to be as descriptive as possible.
- Specify a Date Range. This can be a single day or longer, but the end date must not be later than a week prior to the current date. For example, you can choose to focus on the date of a specific event.
- Specify a Time Range. This could be an entire 24 hour period or a specific time of day. For example, you can choose to focus on the duration of time for an event or just the hours of the day that a store is open. The default is a full 24 hour period.
- Specify the Days. It can be one day or every day of the week. All of the days are selected by default (highlighted in blue).
Tip: Use the Weekdays or Weekends button to specify those days with just one click. - Select an analysis type: Aggregate or Individual.
AGGREGATE extract: Combine multiple geofences to form a single, custom geofence. Each group of 20 geofences counts as 1 query. Example: 100 geofences count as 5 queries. (Note: Queries will always round up, for example, 21 geofences in an aggregate extract will use 2 queries).
INDIVIDUAL extract: Batch run multiple geofences with the same dates and times at once. If multiple geofences are selected for an INDIVIDUAL extract, each geofence counts as 1 query. Example: 100 geofences count as 100 queries. - Click Next. The confirmation window will appear. Ensure that the request information is as expected, check the box to confirm that you accept, and click Submit.
When the MobileScapes data extract has finished running, navigate to the Results page or the My Data > Customers page to access your export.
Caution:- Accessing the Data Extract: This data extract will not appear immediately in your customer list. Depending on the size of your query, this request could take several minutes or even more than an hour to upload. You can now use this extract with any customer-based report and analysis in ENVISION.
- Low Sample Extracts: Please be aware of an extract that contains a small sample size, as you will see a caution icon next to it. Some factors that can negatively affect sample sizes include short time periods, small geofences, geofences with low foot traffic and geofences in rural areas with smaller populations, as these areas tend to have lower device ID counts. To avoid low sample sizes, aggregate smaller geofences into groups (aggregate by geography and group geofences of the same type together). You can also extend the time period for smaller geofences (small stores may need 1-2 years of data) or select geofences with existing high foot traffic.
Next Steps: Utilizing your Data Extract
Once your MobileScapes data extract has finished processing, you can use the file in any customer-based ENVISION tools subject to your license agreement. See our How-to-Read Documentation opens in new window to better understand your data extract.
The MobileScapes Trends, MobileScapes Cross-Shop, and MobileScapes Data Extract Summary Report tools were specifically created to leverage the MobileScapes Data Extracts. Click the links below to learn more about these tools.