Watch this Ask the Expert session to learn how to turn location-based data into actionable insights.
Watch the webinar
You will learn about geocoding using:
-
Integration with ESRI.
-
SAS code.
-
Loqate.
You will also learn about common pitfalls and ways to avoid them.
The questions from the Q&A segment held at the end of the webinar are listed below and the slides from the webinar are attached.
Q&A
Is there a version of SAS that can be used for free online? And if so, can geographic data be used in it?
Does proc geocode on Viya use the helper databases in sashelp?
Three of the six required lookup tables for street-level geocoding come included in the SASELP library. These are the street state data set (SASHLP.GCSTATE), the street type data set (SASHELP.GCTYPE), and the street directional data set (SASHELP.GCDIRECT).
What is the cost?
The cost depends on the method chosen. Using PROC GEOCODE incurs no additional cost.
Each request to Esri to geocode data requires Esri credits, which you or your organization must purchase from Esri. Each time that you submit a geocoding request, SAS will tell you how many credits that particular request costs.
Much like Esri geocoding, using Loqate as a geocoding provider also incurs a cost. In order to use this step in SAS Studio, you must have a Loqate API key. For more information about the cost and billing, see Loqate’s
website.
Is Esri the SAS chosen software for geocoding?
Esri is a leading provider of GIS software and spatial intelligence solutions. Esri and SAS also have a partnership, allowing SAS Viya users to leverage Esri’s ArcGIS World Geocoding Service from within SAS Viya.
Which would be the most accurate of the 3?
Accuracy is highly dependent on the quality and location of the data being geocoded. In general, Loqate and Esri reference data used to geocode is updated on a monthly or quarterly basis, whereas the lookup data available from SAS support for use with PROC GEOCODE is updated more infrequently.
Are any of the methods also available for countries outside of the US and Canada?
Esri and Loqate geocoding are available outside the US and Canada.
Can a dataset with lat./ long. be mapped on SAS Viya?
Yes, you can map latitude and longitude values in SAS Visual Analytics by creating a
geography data item.
What's the difference between this geocoding and the one that Tableau does for you?
Tableau does not support address-level geocoding. To plot address-level data on a map in Tableau, you would need to geocode it using another provider, and then import the geocoded data. SAS Viya support three different methods of address-level geocoding out of the box.
Which option is best for me if I am not an experienced programmer?
If you are not an experienced programmer, using Esri geocoding might be the best option for you. It is an entirely point-and-click experience that doesn’t require any coding.
What are the pros and cons of each method?
Which method you use comes down to a few factors, such as what providers you may already have a relationship with, your programming experience, your budget, the volume of data being geocoded, and the level of accuracy required.
Where can I find look up data to use with PROC GEOCODE?
Recommended Resources
Please see additional resources in the attached slide deck.
Want more tips? Be sure to subscribe to the Ask the Expert board to receive follow up Q&A, slides and recordings from other SAS Ask the Expert webinars.
