For Immediate Release

Caliper Delivers State-of-the-Art Redistricting Software to Maryland

CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND - Caliper Corporation has delivered state-of-the-art redistricting software, Maptitude for Redistricting, to the Maryland Office of Planning. The software is a special edition of Caliper Corporation’s Maptitude® Geographic Information System (GIS) for Windows that enables state and local governments to create redistricting plans and meet the reporting requirements of the U.S. Bureau of the Census Phase 2 Data Program. Maryland selected Maptitude for Redistricting following a competitive procurement in May 1998. The combination of software and statewide data sets will be used by both the Maryland Office of Planning and the Maryland General Assembly’s Department of Legislative Services.

During the first nine months of 1999, state governments will be redefining voting districts (precincts) based on the latest version of the Census Bureau’s TIGER/Line files. Following the year 2000 population census, state governments will create new Congressional districts and state legislative districts. Counties and cities will also develop redistricting plans for their jurisdictions.

Maptitude for Redistricting creates redistricting plans by assigning area features to a district. Data values are automatically computed to reflect each district’s characteristics. Once area features have been assigned, they can be merged to create new district boundaries. Presenting the software at a recent meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Howard Simkowitz, Caliper Corporation’s Director of Government Services, said "Maptitude for Redistricting provides all the features the states have been requesting at a price well below the competition." Maptitude for Redistricting costs $995. The edition containing the Census Phase 2 features and data sets costs $2,995.

Maptitude for Redistricting includes a redistricting toolbox and a custom menu system. The toolbox and menu system let users:

  • Add areas to a target district using feature selection tools
  • Create a plan using any level of base geography with a designated control field and target value
  • Display a redistricting plan as a color theme map
  • Save a plan in many industry-standard file formats
  • Import existing plans created by other programs
  • Print a variety of standard reports
  • Create the equivalency files required by the Census Bureau’s Phase 2 Data Program

Caliper has demonstrated the software at numerous NCSL and Census Bureau meetings since April 1998.The many features, ease-of-use, and speed provided by Maptitude for Redistricting has generated excitement throughout the redistricting community. Following the delivery of the software to the Maryland Office of Planning, Assistant Director, Michel Lettre, said "Maptitude for Redistricting addresses the requirements and demands of redistricting in a user-friendly Windows environment. Its affordability is likely to greatly expand the playing field for redistricting at the state and local government level after the 2000 census."

Newton, Massachusetts-based Caliper Corporation is a leading developer of desktop Geographic Information System products, including Maptitude GIS For Windows. First released in the Spring of 1995, Maptitude has revolutionized the desktop GIS marketplace by providing powerful software coupled with abundant geographic data at a price comparable to word processing software, spreadsheets, and database management systems.

For more information contact:

Howard Simkowitz, hsimkowitz@caliper.com