[UFO Chicago] Using mapping software for graphical uses?

[Brian Sobolak]

Has anyone come across or used a software product they could recommend for
integrating data with maps?  What I'd like to display are things like
"Sales By Region" or a heat map of customers by region, etc.?

It doesn't have to be free (beer || source), but it does have to be able
to do something like the following:

  -- display a different color for each state based on, say, sales info
  -- ability to plot points when fed coordinates or addresses
  -- work internationally and domestically
  -- work on a client machine as opposed to a website.

I've seen that Google Earth will do some of what I'm looking for if I buy
the professional version for $400.  Microsoft MapPoint might too for $300.
 But are there any alternatives?

brian

--
Brian Sobolak
http://www.planetshwoop.com/