In the recipe Using maps to select data of an area or country in Chapter 3, we introduced the standard map options that Dashboard Design offers. Then, in the recipe Displaying alerts on a map in Chapter 5, we discussed how to use alerts on these maps. Centigon Solutions raised the bar on this topic and introduced the GMaps plugin for Dashboard Design.
With this add-on, we can completely integrate Google Maps in a Dashboard Design dashboard. This means that we can use the graphics we know from Google Maps (map, satellite, hybrid, terrain, and so on) and functionalities such as zooming in or out on a map. Furthermore, the GMaps plugin integrates with other Dashboard Design components. We can make selections from a map region and display alerts, single points (such as cities or buildings), and heat maps on the map.
This recipe will introduce you to this add-on and show you how to create a map with alerts and selectable regions.