Our world is changing rapidly, creating many problems to solve: global warming, land use and environmental conflicts, declining biodiversity, shortages of energy resources, threats to our security, etc.
Today, our users are demonstrating the value of using geography and GIS technology to support hundreds of applications in hundreds of thousands of organizations. These GIS applications are affecting how we see the world, how we organize our institutions, and how we work. Perhaps more importantly, they deliver many benefits including greater efficiency, better decision-making, and improved communication.
Advances in enabling technology such as computing, networks, mobile devices, etc. as well as GIS software promise to grow GIS to new levels. GIS professionals are already creating and applying geographic knowledge to many areas. Their work invariably involves building systems that create and manage systematic databases, model geographic processes, make maps, and support complex GIS applications. They fundamentally apply spatial thinking to the way organizations plan and carry out activities.
Using the emerging patterns of GIS servers, Web services, and mobile GIS, their efforts will be extensively leveraged. We believe GIS will become pervasive within nearly all human action - bringing many benefits. This year's conference theme, "GIS – Geography in Action," is about highlighting all of our users’ current activities, but also exploring how emerging technology will help GIS professionals play an even greater role in our future society.
The geographic approach refers to using geographic science supported by GIS as a framework for understanding our world and applying geographic knowledge to solve problems and guide human behavior.
Understanding our World
Geography is the science of our world, describing the physical and cultural patterns and processes of our planet. This science provides humans with awareness of what’s going on, predictions of what may happen, and systematic information for planning and decision making.
Geography helps us better understand various spatial phenomena and their interrelationships, for example, the relationships between land use change, surficial hydrology, flooding, biodiversity, etc. These understandings are helping society become more conscious and aware of the interrelatedness of our world and how our cumulative behavior is affecting the evolution of the planet.
Today GIS is extending the power of geography by providing digital tools that abstract and organize geospatial data, model geographic processes, and visualize these data and models with advanced computer techniques.
Applying Geographic Knowledge
GIS is helping us apply geographic knowledge to a host of problems, ranging from making organizations more efficient to supporting location decisions that require examining many geographic factors.
For example, when selecting the route for a new highway, GIS and the geographic approach can be used to consider the physical and human factors that should guide its layout and design: the environment, existing land use, terrain, and social impacts, as well as engineering constraints and costs.
Considering all these factors can be overwhelming, particularly when trying to make complex tradeoffs. This is where the use of geographic information systems is particularly valuable.
Origins
A key method of the geographic approach involves integrating many factors on a map and interpreting their meaning in a holistic way by means of map overlay. This classical method was popularized by Ian McHarg in his book Design with Nature in the 60's.
The advent of GIS allowed planners to replace plastic overlay maps with digital overlays that could be integrated and modeled using various quantitative spatial analysis tools. These weighted overlays combine the various factors of importance based on scientific or human judgments related to a particular decision. An example might be a map showing the relative suitability of a landscape for locating a new facility or land use.
Today, biologists use this type of approach for modeling the geography of natural habitats. Similarly, hydrologists model flooding and flood risks, sociologists model neighborhoods and social behavior, and land use planners regularly combine these types of models to better understand how to design strategies for creating the future.
This approach is being used in many other fields: by the military for cross country mobility; by resource planners for forest management, mining, and petroleum extraction; and by city planners in organizing and managing urban growth. It’s being used in disaster preparedness planning and response to fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. This approach is helping organizations provide humanitarian assistance during famines and social conflicts. Utilities are applying the geographic approach to planning, engineering, and managing infrastructure networks, and businesses use it to select the best locations, market their products, manage territories, efficiently route vehicles, and make their business more productive. All these applications deliver huge benefits to organizations and to the rest of us.
Societal Consequences
While there are clearly many direct benefits, the use of the geographic approach goes far beyond specific applications. It is already having profound effects on how we think about and understand the world, how we analyze and make decisions, our methods for evaluating choices, the way we educate our young people, how we communicate with others, our management style, and how we behave toward our environment.
The Road Ahead
Yet, with all that has been accomplished, this approach has only been possible for the last few decades, so the process of applying geographic knowledge to the full range of human problem solving is just beginning.
Perhaps the most challenging application will be understanding and managing global change. Our world is changing rapidly. Continuing population growth, urbanization, consumption of natural resources, climate change, and disappearing biodiversity all make for a challenging future.
What is clearly necessary is a new approach, one that considers not just economic and political factors but also the ecological infrastructure that underpins our life support systems.
Some suggest that we need to change how we live in our environment: reduce energy usage, cut CO2 emissions, protect/restore natural areas, reduce our consumption, and stop polluting.
As valuable as these individual activities are, it is clear that the world also needs a systematic and comprehensive framework – an approach for understanding and managing human activities in the context of the environment. This approach needs to consider all the necessary factors for creating and maintaining a sustainable world.
Geographic science supported by GIS technology provides just such a powerful approach. It provides a new context for thinking and behaving, and for designing and creating solutions for our future . . . the geographic approach.
Evolving Technologies
Today, with the introduction of GIS Web services in open Internet environments, it is becoming easier for anyone to access and work with geospatial information. As these technologies evolve they will facilitate broader and richer applications of geographic information and the geographic approach.
GIS Professionals will be Required
Despite its great success, the widespread application of the geographic approach will not happen automatically. It will require continual dedication to building and maintaining GIS infrastructure (quality databases, strong Web applications, and all the related workflows). In addition, we will need to foster open sharing of information and new forms of cooperation and collaboration.
Clearly, GIS professionals will play an important role in making this vision a reality.ESRI supports two application solution products, both of which have implications for conserving natural resources and reducing pollution.
Beyond these specific products, our users are applying GIS to many green applications including:
The GIS business market is primarily focused on site selection/site comparison, market analysis for determining the best products or services to offer, analyzing competition, continuity planning, and supporting logistics and spatial supply chain logistics.
ESRI’s Business Analyst product suite is a complete line of GIS solutions for businesses. It has three components:
In addition to the Business Analyst product suite, ArcLogistics is a solution for optimizing routes and pick-up or delivery schedules, and helps organizations, regardless of their size, manage their vehicle fleet efficiently.
Organizations that have implemented the Business Analyst product suite and ArcLogistics have seen significant results. Many of the major Fortune 500 retailers in the United States use Business Analyst and ArcLogistics, including some of the largest retail chains, restaurant chains, and logistics/package delivery companies. These companies have seen an increased return on investment (ROI) due to time savings, reduction in fuel costs, improved customer service, increased store traffic, and a better understanding of demographics and market conditions.
The use of these solutions is growing fast, even in a down economy. They are of significant interest to the commercial sector, but have also been enormously successful within local and state governments for selecting and evaluating sites for public facilities, economic development, and routing government workers and vehicle fleets.
GIS is used in many phases of disaster management starting with planning before an event happens. Disaster relief involves the response phase of disaster management. GIS and GIS professionals can assist immediately by helping decision makers understand the scope of the damage and identify locations where people may be trapped, injured, or require medical support and rescue. Analyzing critical infrastructure (facilities essential for the operation and sustainability of health services, food services, and government operations) that is or could be damaged or destroyed is essential to restoring critical services and government operations.
Decision makers can assign response resources to the highest life safety and facility repair priorities. Another critical mission that geospatial technology supports is emergency supply chain management.
A few specific examples of how geospatial technology supports disaster relief include
During large scale disasters in remote locations throughout the world (based upon the type of emergency or disaster), GIS is used to:
Disasters in the form of earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes have severe economic, financial, and social impacts on communities. Most disasters are characterized by short reaction/response times, overwhelming devastation to infrastructure, and a strain on the tangible and intangible resources of the affected community. Decision makers at local, state, and federal levels are expected to quickly implement plans to restore order and mitigate the aftermath of the disaster.
GIS technology is used to collect, store, analyze, and share geospatial information needed by agencies to effectively support operations and restore disaster-affected communities. Properly trained emergency planners and geospatial analysts can use GIS for disaster relief operations. They can use GIS to implement measures such as establishing communications sites, restoring electrical power, and planning traffic routes to carry emergency supplies to critical facilities. In many cases specific datasets will not be available to accommodate every possible contingency that may arise in disaster operations. For geospatial analysts, the challenge is to quickly gather data and accurately fuse it together to provide actionable information in support of emergency managers.
The geospatial industry must encourage the development of standard data models critical to response and relief operations. This leadership is essential to overcome issues of data interoperability when multiple jurisdictions are affected by a disaster. Access to geospatial data when local systems have been damaged or destroyed also becomes challenging. Establishing data warehouses and remote data back-up capability should be an essential component of disaster planning.
We believe the GIS market is strong and will become stronger. An indication of this is that both ESRI and our partners in other geospatial data and technology companies continue to grow. While this is a difficult economic time, we believe that GIS performs well in both up and down economies because it provides huge value for improving decision making, efficiency, and communication within organizations. To realize these benefits, our users continue to invest in this technology as well as the organizations and databases that support them.
GIS benefits organizations of all sizes and in almost every industry. There is a growing interest in and awareness of the economic and strategic value of GIS, in part because of more standards-based technology and greater awareness of the benefits demonstrated by GIS users. The number of GIS enterprise solutions and IT strategies that include GIS are growing rapidly.
The benefits of GIS generally fall into five basic categories:
1. Cost savings resulting from greater efficiency. These are associated either with carrying out the mission (i.e., labor savings from automating or improving a workflow) or improvements in the mission itself. A good case for both of these is Sears, which implemented GIS in its logistics operations and has seen dramatic improvements. Sears considerably reduced the time it takes for dispatchers to create routes for their home delivery trucks (about 75%). It also benefited enormously in reducing the costs of carrying out the mission (i.e., 12%-15% less drive time by optimizing routes using GIS). Sears also improved customer service, reduced the number of return visits to the same site, and scheduled appointments more efficiently.
2. Better decision making. This typically has to do with making better decisions about location. Common examples include real estate site selection, route/corridor selection, zoning, planning, conservation, natural resource extraction, etc. People are beginning to realize that making the correct decision about a location is strategic to the success of an organization.
3. Improved communication. GIS-based maps and visualizations greatly assist in understanding situations and story telling. They are a new language that improves communication between different teams, departments, disciplines, professional fields, organizations, and the public.
4. Better geographic information recordkeeping. Many organizations have a primary responsibility of maintaining authoritative records about the status and change of geography (geographic accounting). Cultural geography examples are zoning, population census, land ownership, and administrative boundaries. Physical geography examples include forest inventories, biological inventories, environmental measurements, water flows, and a whole host of geographic accountings.
GIS provides a strong framework for managing these types of systems with full transaction support and reporting tools. These systems are conceptually similar to other information systems in that they deal with data management and transactions, as well as standardized reporting (e.g., maps) of changing information. However, they are fundamentally different because of the unique data models and hundreds of specialized tools used in supporting GIS applications and workflows.
5. Managing geographically. In government and many large corporations, GIS is becoming essential to understand what is going on. Senior administrators and executives at the highest levels of government use GIS information products to communicate. These products provide a visual framework for conceptualizing, understanding, and prescribing action. Examples include briefings about various geographic patterns and relationships including land use, crime, the environment, and defense/security situations.
GIS is increasingly being implemented as enterprise information systems. This goes far beyond simply spatially enabling business tables in a DBMS. Geography is emerging as a new way to organize and manage organizations. Just like enterprise-wide financial systems transformed the way organizations were managed in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, GIS is transforming the way that organizations manage their assets, serve their customers/citizens, make decisions, and communicate.
Examples in the private sector include most utilities, forestry and oil companies, and most commercial/retail businesses. Their assets and resources are now being maintained as an enterprise information system to support day-to-day work management tasks and provide a broader context for assets and resource management.
Specific examples of ESRI users gaining real benefits from GIS can be found at www.esri.com/casestudies.
Historically, the GIS market has continued to grow and advance even in recessionary cycles. We believe this is because the underlying premises of GIS (i.e., creating efficiency, doing things faster or better or cheaper, improving the way people make decisions, and enhancing communication) are drivers that sustain our profession regardless of the current economic circumstances.
For these reasons we continue to believe that investments in careers in the geospatial field will yield strong dividends. We also believe that organizations that integrate GIS into their operations will tend to be more successful.
Last year, ESRI grew approximately 13 percent with approximately 18 percent of that growth in the software sales. This year, we think our organization may grow a little less, reflecting a tightening of budgets. Nevertheless, GIS is one of the most sought after technologies and there continues to be strong interest across the full spectrum of users from desktop to enterprise.
Several years ago, ESRI became actively engaged with the surveying community, and this relationship has grown and developed considerably. We consider surveying a fundamental component of GIS, including geodetic control and cadastral survey. On the GIS side, we have worked to integrate survey technology and methodologies into managing GIS and to help GIS professionals understand the value surveyors bring.
Specifically, ESRI works closely with GPS and survey equipment manufacturers, some of which have embedded ESRI technology into their systems. Also, we continue to enhance our core software with input from these partners and the entire survey user community. Last fall ESRI released the Cadastral Editor application which is part of the ArcGIS Survey Analyst extension. This software includes a new complete workflow to manage parcels using fundamental survey methodologies. This technology introduces a new data type into the geodatabase known as the cadastral fabric. This feature class uses survey rigor to manage parcel information and has won significant praise from the survey and GIS communities.
This new workflow and technology ties the cadastral fabric to survey control and utilizes least squares adjustment to adjust parcels to best fit and deliver the best representation of parcels. Because this is a mathematical solution and it utilizes the geodatabase, it is possible to preserve history and the original survey record. Much the same way a surveyor adjusts traverses and preserves field measurements, the Cadastral Editor adjusts the parcel and preserves the survey record. The results of the adjustment are stored in the geodatabase and used to spatially adjust data layers that are associated with the parcel layer. In the past, GIS users would adjust surveys to fit the landbase. In this workflow, the GIS data is adjusted to fit the survey data, preserving the survey-level accuracy. This builds a framework for utilizing survey data to manage the accuracy of data in a GIS.
We continue to see more and more surveyors using GIS in new and innovative ways to manage their data internally, plan and estimate their work, and deliver new services to the GIS community. ESRI has dedicated a lot of resources to help surveyors network with each other and share experiences with the broader GIS community.
We invite you to attend the Survey & Engineering GIS Summit (held the weekend prior to the UC). We will be discussing all of this and demonstrating the many ways surveyors are integrating GIS in their work. ESRI will continue innovating new technology to integrate GIS technology with surveying tools and methods. We would like to get feedback from our users about how best to continue to bring these two communities together.
For additional information, please contact Brent Jones bjones@esri.com.
We believe imagery is an integral part of a GIS. ESRI has engineered imagery into its products starting in the early 80’s with its first GIS software products. Today ArcGIS users are the largest collection of imagery users in the world.
The remote sensing world is obtaining larger and larger volumes of data. As a result there is growing interest in data management and dissemination technology within this community. ESRI technology is now supporting users of remote sensing data including scientists and GIS professionals as well as a broad range of commercial and casual users. ESRI is committed to providing technology that fully integrates imagery with other GIS data. This increases both the value of imagery as well as other GIS datasets.
ArcGIS provides an enterprise image management system that enables users to manage catalogs of rasters and imagery from various sources. We work closely with our partners who provide specialized imagery tools for collecting, managing, producing and exploiting all forms of geospatial data
ESRI will continue to innovate new technology that integrates imagery with GIS. Over the last few years ESRI has added the ability to dynamically process as well as serve imagery. A significant addition to ArcGIS Server 9.3 has been the new image services capability that provides efficient serving of imagery and raster data to web applications.
This year we will be having our first Remote Sensing and GIS Summit and GIS Summit, to be held the Sunday prior to the UC. We will be discussing all of this and demonstrating the many ways imagery and rasters can be integrated into workflows.
There is huge value. Today's youth are tomorrow's decision makers and GIS users. Developing spatial literacy is crucial to global health as well as personal academic and life success. This is described in two reports by the U.S. National Research Council:
Students currently using GIS are looking at issues from global to local scale, learning important core content in subjects including science, geography, math, and language/arts. More and more schools are incorporating GIS into career and technical preparation programs. Students and teachers tackle the same kinds of issues that adult GIS users face every day with software, data, analysis, and project management.
ESRI Press has just published four new workbooks for K-12 education in the Our World GIS Education book series. They are designed to provide a full spectrum of background and curriculum material for teachers. They include:
During the past several years, ESRI’s technology has been embedded in a number of common operating picture (COP) technologies including ESRI business partner solutions such as ESI’s WebEOC, ETeam, Emergeo, and Prevestar. In addition, many custom command and control applications have been developed through the commercial joint mapping toolkit operated by NGA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). One of these is iCAV (Integrated Common Analytic Viewer), a geospatial-intelligence analytical tool associated with DHS's Geospatial Information Infrastructure Division. iCAV, is in use at the National Operations Center for Situational Awareness and Decision Support. It is intended to unite Homeland Security partners including state and local government to provide a geospatial context for HLS-related activities nationwide to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from natural and man-made disasters.
In addition, at ArcGIS 9.3, a very significant technology improvement (REST APIs with JavaScripting and mashups) opens up ArcGIS Server for rapid development and integration of geoservices into COP situations. A prototype of this will be demonstrated at the User Conference showing the following:
This application was developed in a few weeks by ESRI prototype staff. The concept is to show how fast it is to develop new Web-based situational awareness environment using ArcGIS Server blended with a variety of other Web services, either within the enterprise or on the Web.
The components for constructing this demo will be made available on the Resource Center in the months following the conference.
Another COP application will be demonstrated in the public safety showcase at the user conference. The Loma Linda University application called AEGIS (Advanced Emergency Geographic Information System) has been developed using the ArcGIS API for JavaScript. The application utilizes ArcGIS online and is dynamically updated with data from a variety of different sources including:
Yes, we believe so. The common interpretation of this vision involves the creation of a common and shared library of geospatial services that are created from multiple layers of geographic data that are managed and maintained by different mission agencies. The concept is that these layers are served as geospatial services for use by various applications across organizations and for citizen access.
For example, a state or national government may wish to create a network of distributed servers that manage and serve “framework or essential layers” set up as Web services (i.e. roads, topography, administrative boundaries, land records, and vegetation). Each of these services can be integrated into various applications for the purpose of supporting specific applications that use these layers. This pattern has already been successfully implemented in a number of enterprise systems.
The key issue with this federated architecture involves ensuring that service levels provided by each of the contributing services are maintained consistently and have enough capacity to support the applications. Typically, the agencies who maintain each layer of the infrastructure are only funded for their own mission and not mandated with the responsibility of providing services to other organizations. Therefore, to make a common infrastructure work, agencies need to either be funded to take on the responsibility for serving common infrastructure or, alternatively, the enterprise as a whole needs to be set up as a separate (redundant) application server environment that is shared by everyone.
We believe that over time, GIS users will most likely implement an architecture that combines the mission-focused servers (maintaining each of the framework layers) with a large centralized server that replicates the data and provides centralized application services for the entire enterprise.
In such a hybrid system, the individual thematic layers are maintained in working databases (transaction oriented) with their databases being copied/replicated in a large central system (using ArcGIS replication services). The central system organizes the data into cached data sets for high performance access and support of cross cutting applications. These assured data can also be used in the Web 2.0 environment along with citizen-generated data and mashups.
Enabling technology. ESRI has been working on technology that accommodates exactly this kind of spatial data infrastructure environment, and has been supporting emerging SDI programs around the world.
With ArcGIS 9.3, many of the elements for realizing the SDI vision are now in place. These include:
Beyond technology. Beyond the technology, clearly what is needed to make the concept of SDI work is a governance system that allows full participation across organizations. SDI can be implemented at many different scales (local, state, national, and regional government). It is also beginning to be seen in large global private sector organizations.
Within many governments we see progress. In the US federal government, the FGDC is evolving and becoming more business focused with its geospatial line of business. Similar efforts are occurring in Europe under the auspices of the INSPIRE program and the Canadian GeoConnections program. There are more than 30 active NSDI programs in the world according to the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Association.
We believe that the SDI vision at all levels of government and private sector companies will eventually become a reality, largely because of the huge benefits of lower costs from data development collaboration and sharing of GIS services. While complex, we believe GIS professionals working together will overcome these issues. ESRI will continue to evolve its technology and support its users and partners around the world in strengthening this vision of multi-organizational collaboration.Geoscientists used to work in a “data poor, theory rich” environment, but in the last few years this has changed. The advent of new data collection techniques, such as new sensors and geodemographic collection and estimation, as well as Web-based informal input have led to an explosion in the amount and variety of geospatial data. GIS is an excellent system for integrating, managing, and analyzing geographic information. In recent years ESRI has added exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) tools, new analytical methods (e.g. geographically-weighted regression, kriging, and point clustering), and better ways to integrate with other analysis and modeling packages (e.g. SAS and R). All of this is encouraging a return to inductive investigation and increasing use of data mining techniques in academic research.
There is a well established IT literature and procedures for archiving databases for backup and recovery. For more information about database backup and recovery refer to the online help:
Geographic information has some special characteristics that provide challenges for incremental or partial archiving. Because individual GI records are usually closely linked to other records (e.g. adjacent land parcels share common boundaries, and splitting a parcel creates two or more sub-parcels) both the original data and the relationships between the data need to be archived.
At the 9.2 release, geodatabase archiving functionality was introduced in the multi-user geodatabase. Datasets can be enabled for archiving in a framework that provides the mechanism to capture all data changes in the default version of the geodatabase by preserving the transactional history as an additional archive class. ArcGIS applies transaction time when changes are saved or posted to the default version to record the moment of change to the geodatabase.
Geodatabase archiving introduces a historical version. A historical version represents the geodatabase as it was at a moment in time and provides a read-only view of the geodatabase for a particular given moment. You can connect to a historical version based on a predefined historical marker or a specified moment in time that you pick from a calendar. A historical marker is a named moment in time that you can create.
Yes. We believe there is value in being able to access user-generated content (UGC), sometimes called volunteered geographic information (VGI), with a GIS. However, the strengths and limitations of this data should be understood. In contrast to GIS-based data, which is organized with consistent data models and collected systematically, VGI data is mostly observational, qualitative, and very rarely collected systematically in a science-based framework. It typically does not have an organized foundation, nor is it associated with metadata, and there is no responsibility with respect to the organization or individual who reported it.
Nevertheless the observations do have value. There are many ways that GIS users can take advantage of the rapidly growing amount of VGI on the Web. They include:
Beyond the data itself, we strongly believe that this method of collecting observational geographic data is very powerful, and have focused ArcGIS 9.3 and future releases on making it an integral part of the GIS system architecture. We believe this has value for community involvement in collaboration and communicating about situational awareness. We will continue to develop enabling technology that helps integrate these concepts into ArcGIS.
ArcGIS 9.3, which began shipping in June 2008, offers a complete suite of software that improves organizational workflows through more efficient spatial information management, ability to create better maps, enhanced mobility, easier information dissemination, and improved planning and analysis.
Manage and Access Spatial Information More Efficiently
ArcGIS 9.3 offers more tools to access data within an organization including support for the new Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and PostgreSQL. ArcGIS 9.3 also makes it easier to connect to and manage data from other systems via direct backward compatibility, new version management features, enhancements to geodatabase replication, and better geocoding. A new image service within ArcGIS Server also advances an organization's data management capabilities. Finally, ArcGIS Server adds one way replication to file geodatabases.
Make Better Maps
ArcGIS 9.3 includes many enhancements that make it easier to create and share production-quality maps. For example, a new Disperse Markers tool allows you to spread out representation markers when they coincide. Feature attributes can be included when exporting a map to Adobe PDFs and accessed interactively by Adobe Reader users. In addition, Maplex for ArcGIS now includes better contour labeling and more control over where labels are placed inside and around polygons.
Send and Receive Information to and from the Field
The new ArcGIS Mobile application allows you to quickly deploy mobile GIS and is configurable out of the box. The ArcGIS Mobile Software Developer Kit (SDK) now includes enhanced map control rendering to support multiple data sources and graphic layers, improved data storage capabilities with support for large compressed basemaps, and expanded projections.
Share Common Operating Information
ArcGIS 9.3 makes dissemination of geographic information much easier. For example, ArcGIS Server 9.3 has new tools to facilitate map cache management. ArcGIS Server users can now selectively build map cache for the areas that are the most popular and enable on-demand caching to let the map cache grow as end users access the map service. ArcGIS Server 9.3 also includes an API for mashup-style development using JavaScript. The ArcGIS API for JavaScript takes advantage of the new REST interface.
Perform Better Planning and Analysis
In ArcGIS 9.3, many modeling tools have been enhanced and some entirely new tools have been added to help you get more answers from your data. A new scatterplot matrix graph lets you explore relationships between sets of related variables, and new advanced Ordinary Least Squares and Geographically Weighted Regression tools help you understand how processes vary over space. In addition, a new vehicle routing problem (VRP) solver in ArcGIS Network Analyst generates routes for fleets of vehicles.
Support for Standards
In addition to these themes, ArcGIS Server 9.3 also provides enhanced support for WMS, WFS, and WCS and complies with the OGC specification for KML. It also includes support for the Collaborative Design Activity (COLLADA) file format that is used for displaying more realistic 3D models as well as for a variety of purposes in ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Server.
Resource Centers
Also with the release of ArcGIS 9.3, ESRI introduced a series of online resource centers that offer a unified location from which users can access online help, documentation, support, a user community, and content.
To learn more about ArcGIS 9.3, visit www.esri.com/whatsnew.
The next release of ArcGIS (9.4) will focus on the following four key themes:
Enterprise Readiness
Continue to expand ArcGIS Server’s capabilities in respect to platforms, scalability, and security through focus on UNIX/Linux and Java support, dynamic map performance, and rich Internet application support (Flex) as well as enhancements to Tracking Server.
Productivity for ArcGIS Professionals
Simplify the user experience, streamline workflows for increased productivity, and promote collaboration with easier sharing of information. Enhancements are planned in the areas of advanced modeling, 4D analysis and visualization, map scripting, and modeling of non-spatial and temporal features among others.
Geospatial Enabled Application Development and Rapid Deployment
Building on the new capabilities at ArcGIS 9.3, the next release will continue to expand the functionality to easily and quickly deploy systems throughout the enterprise. In ArcGIS Explorer, a new look for the user interface, 2D and 3D integration, and mark-up/collaboration are planned. In ArcGIS Online, enhancements include universal find, geoprocessing, and catalog services. ArcGIS Mobile will include enhanced routing and navigation as well as support for professional GPS and additional platforms.
GIS Solutions for Business Users
ArcGIS 9.4 will extend the solution product offerings to the ArcGIS platform to build a set of tiered solutions for business and logistics. Within the Business Analyst suite, Business Analyst Online will be migrated to the Business Analyst Server platform. Also an integrated logistics solution that leverages ArcLogistics, Network Analyst, and StreetMap Mobile is planned.
ArcGIS Desktop offers many ways for you to share your data and analysis with others without requiring them to have GIS software or training. You can distribute your spatial information in the following ways:
Using the core tools, you can share
With additional software, you can share
ArcGIS 9.3 supports Adobe Acrobat 9 software and new geospatial capabilities available in PDF. Users of PDF map documents can find and display a location in the file using x,y coordinates as well as measure features directly on the map. This enabling capability both enhances existing customer workflows and creates new ones because recipients without ArcGIS can directly interact in new ways with maps using Acrobat 9.
ArcGIS 9.3 users can author a map document and export it in PDF for wide distribution while passing along the ability for increased end-user interaction with the document beyond simple viewing. The enhancements supporting PDF in ArcGIS 9.3 are available as a free download for ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Server at http://support.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=downloads.patchesServicePacks.viewPatch&PID=80&MetaID=1407
Yes. ArcGIS 9.3 can be integrated with Google Maps, Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth in the following ways:
ArcGIS API for JavaScript ExtensionsKML
Whenever you create a map, image, data or geoprocessing service with ArcGIS Server 9.3, a Keyhole Markup Language (KML) service is generated. KML is an XML-based file format used to represent geographic features in applications such as Google Earth, ArcGIS Explorer, and ArcGlobe. KML allows you to draw points, lines, and polygons on maps and globes and share them with others. ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 also offers two new tools (Map To KML and Layer To KML) that allow you to generate static KML documents that you can e-mail or place on a file server.
Services Directory
ArcGIS Server 9.3 uses representational state transfer (REST) to expose information about your services through a series of endpoints, or URLs. At 9.3, ArcGIS Server provides the Services Directory, which is like a catalog of all the services on your local GIS server. When a user publishes any map service with ArcGIS Server 9.3, a Services Directory Web page is automatically created. The Services Directory page and all of its map service and KML service links can be crawled and indexed by any search engine. For example, you can access the ArcGIS Services Directory root page. These are our public map services powered by ArcGIS Server.
ArcGIS Online
ESRI has worked closely with a variety of data vendors including i-cubed, Microsoft, NAVTEQ, Tele Atlas, and others to offer "subscription services" to our users through ArcGIS Online. As a result, ArcGIS Online offers a variety of premium services available for an annual subscription fee. For example, ArcGIS Desktop users will be able to subscribe to Microsoft's Virtual Earth content for $200 per user per year. This service includes imagery and other basemaps worldwide. Users can easily subscribe to these premium ArcGIS Online Services online, through the ESRI Store.
ESRI supports the integration of dynamic data across the full family of ArcGIS. Dynamic data can be both visualized and used for spatial analysis in combination with other GIS layers. ArcGIS supports reading dynamic information from standard Web services such as GeoRSS, mobile GPS tracks and specialized applications like Tracking Server.
Tracking Server is a solution software product offered by ESRI’s professional services team and is designed to support centralized monitoring and distribution of large volumes of rapidly changing information such as moving objects (cars, trucks, boats, airplanes, etc.) as well as static positions whose values change over time (wind observations, stream gauges, atmospheric monitors, etc.).
Over time we will add more tracking capabilities to integrate with the ever growing collection of inputs coming from the ‘sensor Web,’ and we expect to continue adding capabilities to easily monitor, manage, and map dynamic information for GIS analysis.
At 9.2 ESRI focused on improving the use of CAD data in ArcGIS Desktop. In 9.3 ESRI has focused on improving the interoperability of ArcGIS information with AutoCAD. Exporting GIS data to AutoCAD with 9.3 creates drawing files with fully attributed feature classes. With 9.3 an improved AutoCAD data encoding technique uses objects in the AutoCAD drawing to retain both feature class organization and feature attribution inside the AutoCAD drawing file. This encoding technique is called the Mapping Specification for DWG/DXF (MSD). Work continues on ArcGIS for AutoCAD, the free plug-in that connects AutoCAD to ArcGIS Server map services. This form of interoperability forgoes the complications of the different data models and cartographic display capabilities of CAD and GIS to provide AutoCAD users direct access to geodatabases and ArcGIS base maps as drawn by ArcGIS. In addition to improvements to the map service functionality, the 9.3 ArcGIS for AutoCAD release will also contain tools to create and edit MSD CAD feature classes within AutoCAD. These tools will assist AutoCAD users in preparing better GIS content and improving interoperability workflows.
At 9.4, ESRI will focus more on desktop to desktop (CAD and GIS) interoperability with particular emphasis on improving and simplifying how Microstation and AutoCAD data is integrated into ArcMap and migrated to the geodatabase. This will include improvements to the way GIS data is shared with Microstation users. Improvements to the ArcGIS for AutoCAD plug-in are also ongoing. This activity will move forward with the goal of making ArcGIS for AutoCAD an editor of the geodatabase and a rich client of ArcGIS Server.
Yes. Pictometry provides an extension to ArcGIS that allows their digital oblique imagery to be viewed and used inside a variety of ESRI products. The Pictometry extension is available for ArcGIS 9.x. The power of oblique imagery combined with the power of GIS, all within the ESRI operating environment, opens many doors for GIS professionals.
At the UC we will be showing how ArcGIS Image Server’s dynamic processing capabilities can be used to serve such oblique imagery directly to multiple applications.
Yes. ESRI is investing in three areas:
Searchable Metadata - In 9.3, ArcGIS Server exposes HTML-based searchable metadata for search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft. This is built into the server and will expose metadata automatically unless turned off.
Portal Toolkit – At 9.3, ESRI is releasing its newest version of the geospatial portal toolkit built on ArcGIS Server. This toolkit is designed to support different metadata standards and is thus ready for upcoming specifications such as the North American Profile of ISO metadata (an initiative from US FGDC and GeoConnections Canada), as well as the European INSPIRE initiative. The collection of metadata published to the geospatial portal toolkit is discoverable through OGC-compliant catalog services as well as through a commonly-used web search standard called OpenSearch. ArcGIS Desktop includes an editor to create and maintain metadata to be served in this toolkit system.
Search - At 9.4, ESRI is launching an ambitious effort to have search capabilities deeply integrated into all elements of ArcGIS. This will allow users to automatically create and discover various GIS resources using simple search tools. Users will have search tools integrated in their desktop that search local files, workgroup servers, enterprise servers and the open Web. For example, a user may need a water resources data set in England. He would simply type that in and search. This will require that ArcGIS automatically stamp simple discoverable metadata on all objects that it touches—data, models, maps, workflows, documents, etc.
No, not in terms of data production such as calibration, cleanup, classification, or feature extraction. ESRI has several strong business partners who do lidar data processing: QCoherent, Overwatch VLS, Prologic, and Merrick. The first three offer solutions integrated in the ArcGIS framework. Merrick has a standalone application.
While ESRI is not focused on lidar-based data production tools, ArcGIS is capable of utilizing lidar that has already been processed into a clean ‘deliverable’ state, which is what most GIS users are interested in. The terrain dataset and related tools enable efficient handling of lidar. They support the large point collections prevalent with this type of data and enable both TIN- and raster-based display, query, and analysis options.
ESRI has a variety of partners that provide solutions for photogrammetric data capture. They include SOCET for ArcGIS from BAE Systems, PurVIEW, and DAT/EM. SOCET for ArcGIS is designed primarily for high-end, high-quality photogrammetry workflows and processing and is integrated as a desktop extension in ArcGIS. PurVIEW also provides an integrated desktop extension for ArcGIS for stereo-viewing and data capture. DAT/EM provides a stereo interface for ArcGIS.
The principle that GI science underlies all our software development and consulting projects is central to ESRI’s work. Some of the main areas in which science is most easily seen include the following:
No. There are no major technology changes needed to move ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Engine applications to ArcGIS 9.3.
ArcGIS Desktop and Engine applications should be recompiled against ArcGIS 9.3 to ensure compatibility, but no code changes are required.
Existing Map documents and data can be directly used in ArcGIS 9.3 without conversion, and you may incrementally migrate clients from 9.2 by installing Service Pack 5 (or later) and the ArcGIS 9.3 geodatabase direct connect for 9.2 clients patch downloadable from ESRI’s support site:
http://support.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=downloads.patchesServicePacks.viewPatch&PID=66&MetaID=1416
Yes. At 9.3, many enhancements have been made to simplify the user experience in data compilation and management, editing, and map production. Also, the new Resource Centers simplify user access to documentation, help, and online maps and layers available in ArcGIS Online. Geoprocessing is easier with more meaningful feedback and help, editing and attribute table workflows have better shortcuts, and it is much easier to share your work with others using improved KML and PDF export options.
ArcGIS 9.4 will have a strong focus on improving the desktop user experience with an editing environment that relieves users of the need to manage geodatabase details, new geoprocessing tools that perform editing functions; powerful search functionality, a new user interface that will let users simplify applications (e.g., ArcMap) for an optimal workflow, and more flexible toolbar behavior and management.
Yes, ArcGIS 9.3 includes a new approach for performing proximity analysis that substantially increases the performance of the Near tool. The new functionality calculates the distances between and among various features (points, lines, and polygons). The output of this function is a new "near table" for use in a spatial analysis (e.g., spatial statistics).
We will be overhauling the metadata editor as part of our metadata creation, management, and data sharing improvements in ArcGIS 9.4.
ESRI continues to make advancements in support of 3D in ArcGIS. At ArcGIS 9.3, there are five areas worth noting.
Support for 3D GIS in ArcGIS is a key part of our development plans and will continue to grow significantly in future releases.
We have worked for the last several years to bring more of the end-user-centric functionality and solvers found in ArcLogistics to Network Analyst. We have seen increased interest in these products because of the dramatic increase in fuel prices around the world.
For example, Network Analyst 9.3 can be used to route single vehicles as well as fleets of vehicles via the vehicle routing problem (VRP) solver, offering you the ability to deploy a larger range of network-based routing applications. Network Analyst also includes a global turn delay evaluator and function evaluators allowing for more accurate route and service area modeling.
In addition, you will now have more flexibility in determining how and where you deploy Network Analyst applications as they will be supported on ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.
At 9.3, ArcGIS Schematics includes a new XML Builder. This new Builder allows data coming from external systems to be used to generate diagrams. Any data from any system will be able to be displayed via ArcGIS Schematics as long as it follows the schematic diagram XML schema definition.
Geoprocessing tools to create and update diagrams are now available. Customers with thousands of diagrams will find this addition particularly useful as it will allow them to batch process diagrams by date range. Users will also be able to model scenarios, e.g., create a route with ArcGIS Network Analyst, automatically create a schematic diagram of that route, and display it as a straight line diagram similar to a bus time schedule.
ArcGIS Schematics 9.3 adds a new Label Placement Optimizer to improve the initial label placement in diagrams.
The new Partially Overlapping Links Algorithm (POLA) better displays partially overlapping links or links within close proximity to one another. This highly-requested algorithm pushes overlapping lines apart on a map to better show assets at that location.
ESRI is focusing on spatial techniques that are robust, scalable, and have broad application for our GIS user community. We are particularly interested in techniques specific to spatial data.
Our geostatistical work focuses on providing interactive tools to examine spatial data and generate interpolation models. Many different interpolation techniques are supported, and recent work has focused primarily on those that provide optimal estimates for unsampled locations, while also providing information on the distribution of possible values at these locations. An important component of this is the addition of Gaussian geostatistical simulation in ArcGIS 9.3. Also in 9.3, we exposed the functionality of Geostatistical Analyst in ArcGIS Server. These tools now also run on Linux and Solaris and allow the execution of geostatistical tools through Internet services.
Over the last five years we have been growing a collection of statistical tools for spatial pattern analysis. These tools provide functionality to describe and model spatial distributions, patterns, and processes. (How dispersed are features and is there a directional trend? Where are the hot spots? How intense is spatial clustering and is that intensity increasing over time?) With 9.3 we have added Regression Analysis tools to examine spatial relationships, allowing us to not only identify spatial patterns (such as hot spots or cold spots), but also to begin to explore their possible causes. New tools in ArcGIS 9.3 include Ordinary Least Squares and Geographically Weighted Regression.
Statistics is a broad field with many techniques that can be leveraged by the GIS community, so we also support integration of ArcGIS with 3rd party statistical software packages. ESRI has a long-standing partnership with SAS, and the two companies have collaborated to develop the “SAS Bridge,” a software utility to facilitate data exchange so our mutual users can work effectively in both software packages simultaneously. With the new Geoprocessing Resource Center, clients will begin to see new developer samples illustrating ArcGIS integration with SAS, R, and other packages.
The power behind the ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension is Safe Software's FME (Feature Manipulation Engine), a spatial ETL (extract, transform, and load) platform that enables you to build powerful spatial ETL processes using over 200 specialized transformers for data transformation, migration, validation, and distribution. The ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension also enhances ArcGIS Desktop by providing access to additional spatial data formats for visualization, analysis, and data transformation. The added format support includes more than 80 GIS, CAD, BIM/3D, and database formats for reading and writing. You can incorporate these formats and ETL processes in the geoprocessing framework using tools, ModelBuilder, and scripts.
ArcGIS Data Interoperability 9.3 is developed on FME 2008, the current release from Safe Software. We are working with Safe Software to provide an easier mechanism for ESRI customers to upgrade the underlying FME platform to the latest version when it is released.
We focused on the following key areas for ArcGIS Server 9.3:
We have seen seven patterns emerge, all of which are powerful and take advantage of ArcGIS Server.
1. Web Mapping. This pattern involves browser clients using ArcGIS Server map services. ArcGIS supports two methods for Web mapping:
The latter offers many benefits including continuous pan, zoom, and roam. Many of our users are caching some of their data (e.g., basemaps) while serving their operational data (data that frequently changes) dynamically. With ArcGIS 9.3, the ability to create and update a cache has been simplified.
2. Web GIS. This pattern involves an integration of GIS servers with desktops, browsers, mobile devices, and other Web applications to deliver GIS over the Web or a network. It supports the idea of authoring geoprocessing models as well as maps and publishing them as services that can be easily consumed by a variety of client applications. This pattern distributes GIS capabilities such as mapping, analysis, and editing to where they’re needed in the most effective manner. This pattern is well suited to organizations that require a variety of standard applications, but also supports the ad hoc consumption of multiple data resources and distributed services.
3. Enterprise Infrastructure. In this pattern, the server works with other IT systems such as CRM, ERP, etc. In this architecture, ArcGIS is ideally designed to integrate services (such as mapping, geocoding, spatial analysis, etc.) with other database services typical in business systems. Customers of this pattern may not realize that GIS servers are facilitating their workflows or that spatial analysis is a component of the applications they use.
4. Mobile. In this pattern, ArcGIS Server provides the back office and collaboration services for ArcGIS Mobile clients. Under this scenario, mobile clients receive GIS maps and data services and can also use and edit this data in a traditional field based workflow (i.e., inspection, data collection, etc.). This pattern also supports the integration of field observation data into a central environment to provide situational awareness. This pattern is particularly appropriate for emergency management and monitoring and managing field workers in organizations where a considerable amount of the work is done in the field. The mobile services scenario is an emerging pattern for ESRI, and we believe it promises to be a rich way to disseminate GIS in the future.
5. Spatial Data Infrastructure. This pattern involves a distributed network of servers that supply each other with transactional information. For example, a city planning department, an engineering department, and a land information department can each maintain their own information sets (layers) on their own workgroup servers. At the same time, they can serve this information to their colleagues for use in other departments. An enterprise server is used to replicate the information in each departmental server for cross-enterprise applications and perhaps for sharing this information across the enterprise or publicly via the Web.
This architecture works at all different scales and within various types of organizations. For example, cities, counties, states, and federal governments can operate using the same concepts. Likewise, relationships among organizations (at different levels of government and between different types of institutions) are possible.
6. Data Fusion Center. This pattern involves bringing copies of all the distributed geographic data belonging to a network of GIS organizations together into a central server. Data is typically copied into an organized data warehouse supporting a series of high performance focused applications. Another name for a data fusion center is a “geo-warehouse” - an integrated warehouse for bringing all the geospatial data together. The concept of a geo-warehouse involves taking all the real data in its native formats and organizing it for high performance applications. The idea is to fuse data for applications such as emergency management.
The data fusion centers that are being developed within each state in accordance with a mandate from the Department of Homeland Security provides an example of these sorts of systems. The State of New York has created such a system to bring its homeland security data from hundreds of state and local agencies into a single high performance environment. This data is then served via the Web, providing information to support emergency response.
We believe this pattern will be extensively deployed for emergency management in homeland security and defense/intel organizations. We also see the opportunity for fusion centers to provide a new way to bring community information together in support of a community Website.
7. Mashups. Mashups are a technology-based concept for the Web 2.0 environment. A mashup is a Web application that combines data from more than one source into a single integrated tool.
Mashups are facilitated by using JavaScript tools that provide simple ways to integrate multiple Web services into an application. Underlying the concept of mashups is the ability to script together URL addresses and connect data being served at these addresses into a mashup application.
ArcGIS users will find the mashup pattern to be extremely valuable for creating quick and easy applications that blend services from different ArcGIS Servers with virtually any kind of information on the Web.
Summary. It's our view that all seven of these patterns will be used by our user community in various combinations. Users will build Web GIS with map services, mobile connections, and mashups. They will then replicate it in enterprise servers or data fusion centers and integrate this technology into enterprise environments.
These patterns will become a vocabulary for system designers to create solutions. They represent templates of best practices that can be creatively leveraged by system designers, architects, and the general GIS profession.
We encourage our users to study these patterns carefully because they provide the foundation for the new ways that we can use GIS on the Web.It is important to distinguish between two fundamental types of Web mapping: dynamic Web maps and cached Web maps.
ESRI created a process for creating cached maps so users can enjoy the benefits of this very high performance and scalable environment.
There is, however, some work associated with creating these raster caches. Users must learn the caching process and how to design a good map at multiple scales. Our experience has been that it takes time experimenting and learning how this process works. At 9.3 there are more streamlined workflow processes for creating caches and the documentation describing these processes is much improved. Also at 9.3, ESRI has dramatically improved performance of hybrid combinations of these map services (i.e., cache for maps that don’t change and dynamic services for overlays that do).
ESRI is also actively developing a much faster dynamic rendering engine for ArcGIS Server that will be out in a service pack later this year.
At 9.3, there are new geoprocessing tools for creating and deleting a map cache as well as managing cache scales and tiles. These tools allow you to selectively update the map cache for specific geographic areas and/or scales. A complete description of the caching toolset is available online in the ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 Help.
If your data changes often, for example, if you receive monthly updates to a parcel layer or your utility network continues to grow, you can use the Manage Map Server Cache Tiles tool to update tiles across the entire geography, but only in scales in which the layer is visible. With the same tool, you can limit the update to the extent of an appended dataset.
Map caching is a CPU intensive operation and you may need to schedule map caching at night or during off-hours so that it doesn’t affect other computer operations. You can build a geoprocessing model that loads new features into the geodatabase and add it to a script that automates the cache maintenance process with a utility such as Windows Task Scheduler. For a scripting example, see Automating cache creation and updates with geoprocessing.
For more information on map caching, read Map caching for beginners on the ArcGIS Server Development Blog. Other helpful posts include Updating your map caches automatically, Deconstructing the map cache tiling scheme and Working with map caches programmatically.
Yes. Map caching was introduced at 9.2 as a way to create very fast and continuous map services. While this is a very successful technology, it has required that users spend time upfront to design their cartography and convert their ArcMap cartography into the cached environment. At ArcGIS 9.3, we introduced several major improvements:
The simple answer is that we see server-based computing and geoservices as a major emerging trend in our industry. ArcGIS Server is best thought of as a server-based GIS platform, and while it certainly supports high performance Web mapping, it is also a full function, services-oriented implementation of virtually all of the ArcGIS functions and tools.
This server environment supports a rich set of out-of-the-box Web services (i.e. cached raster maps, 3D globe services, geoprocessing, etc.). It also works with a host of Web clients such as browsers, geobrowsers, and mobile environments, as well as the traditional desktop environment.
Over time, we believe GIS server technology will become the major platform for our users. It allows them to do their work better and more efficiently and enables GIS deployment to increasing numbers of users.
ArcGIS Server is available in three editions (Advanced, Standard, and Basic). While these editions are built from the same common set of technology, they are distinguished by their functionality. The Basic edition focuses on data management, the Standard edition on mapping and 3D visualization, and the Advanced edition exposes all of the ArcGIS functionality as services. Each of these editions is also distinguished by their capacity. Two levels are offered: the Enterprise level and a Workgroup level. Learn more about editions and levels.
For the Enterprise level, the ArcGIS Server components (Web Tier, Server Object Manager, Server Object Container, and ArcSDE) may be deployed in various architectural scenarios, from single machine deployments to multi-machine scenarios. With the Workgroup level, all software (both GIS server software and DBMS software) must reside on a single machine. ArcGIS Server licensing is consistent with industry practices; specifically, any computer running any of the ArcGIS Server components is subject to licensing fees. Multi-machine deployments of ArcGIS Server typically cost more than single machine deployments.
These are radically different technologies. ArcIMS is primarily focused on dynamically serving simple maps on the web. ArcGIS Server is a full GIS system for not only Web mapping, but also data management, spatial analysis, and visualization services. It is also a complete system for building Web applications.
When ArcGIS Server was first released we offered it to all ArcIMS users without cost (as part of their maintenance) because ArcGIS Server is a fundamental component of a GIS in a network centric environment.
While the 9.1 and 9.2 releases of ArcGIS Server were solid in architecture, they did have a number of functionality, quality, and performance issues. With 9.3, many of these issues have been eliminated, and enriched ADF capabilities have been added for both developers and end users.
There are a variety of compelling reasons.
Yes, at 9.3 it is possible to expose ArcGIS Server services (i.e., mapping, geocoding, spatial analysis, etc.) as REST services for use in JavaScripting environments and for mashup style applications.
This will mean ArcGIS Server services can be mashed up with other mapping sites (e.g., Google Maps, Microsoft Virtual Earth, etc.) as well as virtually any other Web site that supports a JavaScript environment. This provides a new style for lightweight Web applications and will not require additional license deployments. Users can integrate the ArcGIS content with other mapping web technologies using the REST APIs.
ESRI provides the following ArcGIS API and extensions:
The ArcGIS API for JavaScript that allows access to any ArcGIS Server service (including ArcGIS Online services) such as mapping, geocoding, and geoprocessing.
The ArcGIS API for JavaScript extensions to Microsoft Virtual Earth and the Google Maps API allow access to ArcGIS Server services from these two popular consumer base maps.
JavaScript SDKs are distributed via ArcGIS Server Resource Center.
Yes. In just a few weeks, the new ArcGIS API for Flex will be available. This API can be used to build fast and expressive Web applications on top of ArcGIS Server. Similar to the ArcGIS API for JavaScript, this API will include a complete online resource center with an interactive software development kit (SDK), application samples, source code, and more.
With the ArcGIS API for Flex, a developer will be able to:
See how the City of Boston is using the ArcGIS API for Flex for its Solar Boston application.
Initially, the ArcGIS API for Flex will be made available as a beta version. An Adobe Flex Special Interest Group meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, August 5, at noon in SDCC Room 15A.
Yes. ESRI will continue to add more out-of-the-box tasks based on user feedback. A few of the tasks that will be added in the future include Add Data, Bookmark, Zoom to Scale, and Zoom to XY Coordinate. Some of these new tasks are already available through the Web ADF for .NET and Web ADF for Java Code Galleries on the ArcGIS Server Resource Center. You can download these tasks and even access the source code. We encourage our own staff, business partners, and users to contribute Web applications and templates to this site. Some of the tasks that ESRI is adding to the Code Galleries will be part of the core product in the future.
Several business partners have already created solutions based on custom tasks that apply to specific technical markets. Also, ArcGIS Server currently ships with a small collection of tasks for the Web ADF including Print, Search, Geoprocessing, and Find Address.
Yes, we have worked with INLINE Corporation to bundle ArcGIS Server software with workgroup and enterprise class server platforms. You can find detailed information about these bundles at the ESRI Web site.
ArcGIS Server and the ArcGIS Server Image extension allow users to manage, process, and access large collections of imagery.
Management
ArcGIS Server centralizes the management of large volumes of data, reducing overhead and increasing efficiency. Catalogs of rasters and imagery from various sources can be managed as part of the geodatabase or they can be managed as separate files.
Processing
ArcGIS Server performs a variety of image processing functions including georeferencing, orthorectification, pan-sharpening and mosaicking. By integrating with the geo-processing capabilities, server-based raster processing tasks can be performed. Dynamic, on-the-fly processing allows multiple image products to be created from a single image source. ESRI also supports a series of partners that provide high-end image analysis and exploitation tools that integrate with ArcGIS.
Fast Access
ArcGIS Server provides very fast access to imagery using both an image catalog and over the Web with the new image service functionality. This supports high performance access for both viewing and analysis to a range of applications. ArcGIS Server uses open standards such as OGC WMS, KML, SOAP, and REST to Web-enable imagery and imagery data, not just “pictures.”
Integration
In addition to these core capabilities, ESRI has a series of significant partnerships in imagery. They include:
An image service is one of the new services you can create with ArcGIS Server 9.3. It provides optimized Web access to imagery and raster datasets. You can publish an image service from ArcCatalog or the ArcGIS Server Manager application and you can use them in a wide variety of applications including ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Explorer, or an ArcGIS Server Web mapping application.
An image service can be used to provide a background for other GIS layers, but it also gives you access to the pixel (or raster cell) data values, which means you can use the image service as input for analysis or further processing by a client application.
You can create an image service from:
An image service can also be enabled with Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Web Map Service (WMS) or Web Coverage Service (WCS) capabilities and can also be accessed using XML SOAP and REST.
ArcGIS Image Server is now the ArcGIS Server Image extension. It provides very fast access to large collections of imagery. At ArcGIS 9.3, it is integrated into ArcGIS Server as an extension. Key features of ArcGIS Server Image extension include
With ArcGIS Server Image extension, extensive image datasets that exist within organizations can be quickly combined into image services. These image services provide users with not only fast access to the imagery, but also the metadata about the specific images they are looking at. The same imagery datasets can be served in different representations, optimizing them for specific applications. Imagery that is not pre-processed, such as satellite scenes or images that come directly from digital camera sensors, can also be served quickly.
The server processes the imagery as required on demand using the best available georeferencing and enhancement parameters. As new imagery becomes available, it can be quickly added to existing services without extensive reloading. The client interfaces also allow the control of different service properties, such as the mosaic method that defines both the order and method by which overlapping images are drawn. These features enable users to fully utilize the information contained in the imagery and therefore maximize the value.
Users with large collections of imagery or a need to have imagery dynamically processed into mosaics with multiple representations would benefit from using ArcGIS Server Image extension.
ESRI is currently researching this and is already hosting the data and Web services for a number of our users in both federal and state government. ESRI works collaboratively with AT&T, who hosts the ArcGIS Online suite of maps and globes. AT&T has a number of programs for hosting end user applications and services and supports ESRI in developing hosting strategies for our larger users who wish to outsource some of their operations. If you're interested in exploring this with ESRI, please contact Mike Tait at mtait@esri.com.
Prior to ArcGIS 9.3, you were required to have Administrator privileges on the Web server in order to log in to Manager. At 9.3 you no longer have to be an Administrator; you just need to be a member of the agsadmin group on the SOM machine.
Non-Administrators can view, create, stop, start, and delete services. As a non-Administrator, you can also work with the GIS server by modifying SOC machines, log file properties, server directories, and so on.
If you are creating or editing Web applications within Manager, you’ll still need to log in as an Administrator at 9.3.
Yes. At 9.3 the documentation for ArcGIS Server configuration and administration is vastly improved and includes many new end-user workflow scenarios. ESRI is also writing a series of white papers on server configuration and caching.
In the training realm, two instructor-led courses cover ArcGIS Server configuration issues: Introduction to ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS Server: Web Administration Using the Microsoft .NET Framework, a new course for 9.3. Additionally, throughout the remainder of this year, the ESRI Virtual Campus will broadcast a series of free live training seminars on ArcGIS Server topics. Planned topics include building mashups using the ArcGIS API for JavaScript, implementing map caches, implementing security for .NET and Java Server applications, and publishing WMS services. Each seminar will be recorded and available for free viewing after the live event.
ArcGIS Explorer is ESRI's high performance visualization client for ArcGIS Server. In addition to ArcGIS Explorer, ArcGIS Server supports additional Web-focused clients: Webmap and Mobile. All three of these clients work as an integrated system around the server.
While ArcGIS Explorer provides the same type of intuitive, high performance visualization as consumer mapping systems, its real power lies in the fact that it is part of an integrated system. This means that it has been engineered to work directly with ArcGIS Server, allowing mapping services and geoprocessing tasks to be easily integrated and fused with local data and other Web content.
Geographically Encoded Objects for RSS feeds (GeoRSS) is an emerging standard for including location as part of an RSS feed. GeoRSS data refers to dynamic streams of measurements (text or other observational data) that is georeferenced and served dynamically on the Web. ArcGIS Explorer can now read GeoRSS point feeds directly. GeoRSS feeds can also be added to ArcGIS Server Web applications through the ArcGIS APIs for JavaScript and Flex.
ArcGIS Explorer requires a 3D globe service. Additional map services and local data sets are typically dynamically overlaid onto this globe. The globe can be one of ESRI's free online globes or a globe service from a user site.
Today, most users make use of the free ArcGIS Online globe services. However, a number of organizations have created their own globes using standard out-of-the-box ArcGIS capabilities. Globes are basically 3D caches of elevation, image, and map content. They are used as a basemap for various thematic overlays from local data or other 2D and 3D maps services (e.g., WMS).
ESRI also sells preprocessed globes with full content ready to plug in and use. These globes are delivered via the ArcGIS Data Appliance, which includes basemaps and imagery of variable resolutions (1 meter, 15 meter, etc.). These globes are very affordable and delivered to users on a network storage device that plugs right into a user organization’s existing infrastructure and network. A number of national agencies, states and multinational organizations have acquired the ArcGIS Data Appliance and have found the globe to be a very good solution for them, particularly for mission critical applications.
For additional information on available globes, refer to the question, “How do I set up a globe for ArcGIS Server? Does anybody have data that covers the whole globe?” in the Data section of this Q&A.
ArcGIS Explorer is a wonderful visualization tool that matches much of the experience that consumers are finding now with popular Web sites such as Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth. However, it represents more than just visualization. It is fully integrated with the ArcGIS environment and supports the full spectrum of GIS capabilities.
At the User Conference, you'll see how ArcGIS Explorer is used as an integral part of a new and emerging (and very exciting) Web GIS environment. In this setting, multiple Web mapping services, such as WMS and others, can be mashed up, integrated, visualized, and leveraged by people who have very little experience and background with GIS. In addition, services such as spatial analysis models can be brought into ArcGIS Explorer, connected, and redeployed for the professional who has only limited experience with GIS.
This dynamic environment will have a far reaching impact on the ability of non-GIS professionals to take advantage of the resources and professional skills of our user community. We see a whole new generation of GIS emerging that is fun and open, and that operates on top of the GIS professional’s infrastructure and databases.
Last year, ESRI launched ArcGIS Online. While initially focused on content, ArcGIS Online is part of ESRI's strategy to provide a variety of Web services to our users to help them be more successful. The initial release focused primarily on content services, including 2D maps and 3D globe services. GIS users can easily integrate these online services into their desktop and server applications. ArcGIS Online services also include geocoding, place finder, and gazetteer functionality that are built into ArcGIS Desktop applications. ESRI users can access these services by visiting http://arcgisonline.esri.com.
ArcGIS Online Services content is maintained and updated by ESRI. We provide foundation layers that many GIS users need, including nationwide and worldwide imagery, street maps, shaded relief, and physical and political world data. This content has been accessible at no cost by ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Explorer users during the beta program. After the beta program is over, ArcGIS users will be able to continue to use these services without cost for both internal and external (non-commercial) use. However, ESRI is adding an annual subscription fee for users who want to use these services for commercial purposes. Also, ESRI is adding a new class of "premium" content that will be available for an annual subscription fee (for internal use as well as external use).
ESRI supports an image content sharing program that allows users to provide their data to ESRI and we will integrate and host this imagery and make it broadly available as part of the free ArcGIS Online Services (available to all users.) Program details are available on the ArcGIS Online Web pages.
For the past year ArcGIS Online has been in a beta release. During this time we have been steadily making improvements to both the content as well as the infrastructure system that supports it. In July, ESRI is substantially improving the free content and adding a number of premium services from several partners. We plan to launch it with full support in August. This system has already been shown to be a fantastic resource for our users. We will be demonstrating it during the User Conference.
The ArcGIS Online Standard Services, which consist of core base maps, imagery, and other datasets, are free to all ArcGIS users for internal (personal or within an organization) or external, non-commercial use. An annual subscription fee will be charged for users who wish to use these standard ArcGIS Online services as a foundation for building commercial applications which they in turn serve out to the Web. There are some restrictions for users who wish to re-serve very large volumes of ArcGIS Online Services on the open Web. Also, ESRI is releasing a series of fee-based premium services with content from a number of commercial vendors, for example Microsoft Virtual Earth, i-cubed, NAVTEQ, Tele Atlas, and others. These ArcGIS Online Premium Services will be available as annual subscriptions for internal and external use.
Yes. ArcGIS Online Standard Services, which include imagery, street maps, and other basemap services, will continue to be made available at no cost to all ArcGIS users on maintenance. These services are restricted for use internally within an organization. They can be consumed by ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Server users as long as the server is serving within an Internet environment. Users who wish to republish these services out on the open Web for commercial purposes will have to purchase an annual subscription, as there are restrictions and requirements for royalty payments to the content providers. Non-commercial use of ArcGIS Online Standard Services on the open Web will continue to be made available at no cost to all ArcGIS users on maintenance. There are some restrictions for users who wish to re-serve very large volumes of ArcGIS Online Services on the open Web.
In addition, ESRI has worked closely with a variety of data vendors including i-cubed, Microsoft, NAVTEQ, Tele Atlas, and others to offer "subscription services" to our users. These premium ArcGIS Online services will be available for an annual subscription fee. For example, ArcGIS Desktop users will be able to subscribe to Microsoft's Virtual Earth content for $200 per user per year. This includes imagery and other basemaps worldwide.
Yes. There are two methods. The first method, ArcGIS Data Appliance, is a complete hardware, data, and software appliance for plugging into an ArcGIS user environment. It delivers terabytes of prerendered data, cached at multiple scales on a preconfigured network storage device. There are three data collections that can be purchased: World Collection, USA Prime Imagery and USA StreetMap. These collections are available as a single deliverable, or the World Collection only. Alternatively, users who do not have ArcGIS Server can purchase the ArcGIS Data Appliance (Server Bundle), which includes the data collections as well as ArcGIS Server software and hardware needed to provide a complete turnkey solution. Additionally, a single state offering of the ArcGIS Data Appliance is now available. For more information, please call 1-800-447-9778 or visit the ESRI Showcase at the Conference.
Alternatively, users can directly integrate ArcGIS Online Services for re-serving in association with a user's application. While there are limitations for a user who wants to create a commercial Web service, there generally will be no cost for this type of re-serving.
The second method is DataDoors for ArcGIS, in which users can purchase most of the raster data that is available through ArcGIS Online Services. DataDoors for ArcGIS is powered by i-cubed’s DataDoors which serves as the imagery aggregator system for ArcGIS Online Services and provides image processing and delivery services. Through the DataDoors application you can order data for any size area in the coordinate system and file format of your choice. Depending on the size of the data you order, you can either download it directly as soon as it has been processed or have the data shipped to you.
ArcGIS Online locator services for geocoding, routing, and place finding will become available in the Q3/Q4 2008 timeframe. Currently, sample locator services are available for testing and development purposes.
ESRI offers a comprehensive suite of mobile GIS products that are designed for different application and platform requirements. These solutions include applications as well as comprehensive developer toolkits for building GIS-focused applications.
ArcGIS Desktop
ArcGIS Desktop can be deployed to the field on mobile systems such as laptops and tablet PCs. Users have access to a full range of advanced GIS functionality as well as tools such as digital ink on tablet PCs. For users who need to work with geodatabases, this is the most comprehensive solution.
ArcGIS Desktop can be used out-of-the-box or customized through ArcGIS Engine. ArcGIS Engine is a developer technology that includes the ArcObjects framework as well as APIs for COM, .NET, Java, C++, and more. This allows users to leverage the specific GIS capabilities that they need on a tablet PC or laptop while in the field. Many ESRI business partners have built and deployed sophisticated applications using ArcGIS Engine for field-based, GIS-centric workflows for utility companies, national mapping agencies, and state and local governments.
ArcPad
ArcPad is a complete solution deployable to a range of mobile devices, including handheld devices, laptops, and tablet PCs. It provides a rich environment for the GIS-centric field worker, especially with the recent advancements in ArcPad 7.1.
ArcPad is widely used, with more than 100,000 deployments. It is a complete application for data capture, field mapping, and navigation. ArcPad Application Builder is the development framework for creating custom mobile GIS applications with ArcPad. It allows users to create extensions, applets, and toolbars to support new data formats or sensors; modify the user interface; and automate field tasks.
ArcGIS Mobile
ArcGIS Server offers a mobile client called ArcGIS Mobile. ArcGIS Mobile was previously available only as a Software Development Kit (SDK), but with the release of ArcGIS 9.3, there is now an out-of-the box ArcGIS Mobile application in addition to the SDK.
The SDK can be used to create and deploy focused mobile applications that can operate in connected and disconnected environments. The initial release at 9.2 was focused on providing developers with a rich tool set to develop mobile applications that provide basic GIS functionality such as map display, pan and zoom, database query, sketching, editing, GPS integration, and direct synchronization over wired or wireless networks. These applications support devices running Microsoft Windows technology including smartphones, Pocket PCs, laptops, and tablet PCs.
The out-of-the-box ArcGIS Mobile application is intended for field data collection and inspection. It provides a simple user experience and includes GIS tasks such as map display, data collection, attribute update, feature search, and synchronization with ArcGIS Server over wired or wireless networks. The application is managed through ArcGIS Server Manager. It supports Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC, Windows Mobile 6 Classic, and Windows Mobile 6 Professional devices.
At ArcGIS Server 9.3, ArcGIS Mobile has been extended to include a focused editing and mapping application. This new application provides an out-of-the-box, ready-to-use solution that can be used by mobile workers in multiple industries and environments including all levels of government, utilities, commercial business, public safety, and more. The beta testers of this new application found it very easy to use and particularly valuable for reporting, inspections and simple feature data collection.
In addition, the ArcGIS Mobile SDK at 9.3 has several enhancements including better map control rendering, increased data storage, enhanced editing capabilities, better GPS performance, and new sketch tools.
Because these technologies both run under the same Windows mobile environment and support some of the same functionality, they are often confused. However, they are built with different code bases and are considerably different in their deployment and application. Both of these technologies are used to support GIS professionals and their field efforts. When considering which product to choose it is important to understand that ArcGIS Mobile is designed for large enterprise customers with field workers that typically perform simple data collection and inspection tasks. On the other hand ArcPad is designed for workgroup customers with field workers trained in GIS that typically perform more advanced GPS/GIS functionality.
ArcPad is a GIS field data collection solution for mobile applications; it provides dozens of tools for mapping, database query and feature/attribute editing. The ArcPad workflow does not require ArcGIS Server. It operates entirely in a disconnected environment where users download information directly from ArcGIS Desktop, take information out into the field, and upon return upload their edits and collected data to the desktop. ArcPad can also be customized for specific user and organization requirements using ArcPad Applicaton Builder.
By contrast, ArcGIS Mobile is an ArcGIS Server SDK and out-of-the-box application that supports both wired and wireless environments. ArcGIS Mobile SDK is powered by the server and is used to develop GIS-focused applications. Many of our third-party developers and users have built custom applications that leverage this technology. The ArcGIS Mobile application is a ready-to-use application for GIS data collection and inspection. ArcGIS Mobile is considered an enterprise application because it connects with an enterprise server. Over time, ArcGIS Mobile will increasingly be seen as a location-based services platform for professional workers.
Knowing where people and resources are is critical in decision making and a core focus of our desktop and mobile strategies. ESRI mobile products will continue to integrate GPS technology for accurate and reliable location awareness. Today, ArcPad, ArcGIS Mobile, and ArcGIS Engine all support GPS.
ESRI continues to work closely with Trimble to provide fully integrated, powerful GPS workflows through their hardware products using GPS instruments (GPScorrect for ArcPad and GPS Analyst for ArcGIS software) as part of ESRI’s GeoCollector solution.
Users also have the option to connect their own GPS devices to ArcPad for immediate use or they can access GPS easily by using the GPS toolbar within our desktop products.
As we continue to advance our mobile GIS product line, you will see new enhancements and tighter integration with GPS and other navigation sources to provide location-based services throughout the enterprise.
While there are a number of third-party applications that have built redlining capabilities for ArcGIS, there are four out-of-the-box solutions now available for ESRI users.
In ArcGIS 9.4, ESRI plans to add additional collaboration tools to allow easier sharing of notes and markups.
Yes, the file geodatabase is ESRI's standard format and useable in all of our applications. The file geodatabase is the implementation of a full ArcGIS geodatabase in the native computer file system. This capability (a geodatabase without a DBMS) is a way for users to conveniently exchange geodatabases (similar to exchanging shapefiles). File geodatabases can store more than two hundred terabytes of data per table and support the compression of vector data into a read-only format. The data can still be used for GIS analysis applications, but compressing can dramatically reduce the file geodatabase’s storage size. The file geodatabase also provides better performance than personal geodatabases and shapefiles when working with large datasets.
We recommend that our users who use shapefiles and personal geodatabases based on Microsoft Access migrate to the file geodatabase because of its power and capability to handle large numbers of features with very high performance.
Shapefiles are the native data format for ArcView 3.x technology. Released by ESRI in 1994, it provides a very simple data interchange format for geographic data that has become an industry standard.
The geodatabase, on the other hand, is the native data structure for ArcGIS and is used for data storage and management. The geodatabase lets you:
The geodatabase supports all types of geographic data. You can also use it to implement business logic to leverage your spatial data to its full potential and maintain a consistent, accurate GIS database. Geodatabases can scale from small, single-user databases built on files up to larger workgroup and enterprise geodatabases built on the leading relational databases that can be accessed by many users.
The file geodatabase in particular is rapidly becoming the “next generation" of the shapefile for the GIS community. It is simple, easy to use, and very fast. We encourage users to migrate to the geodatabase to take advantage of the latest technology advancements in data storage, access, and management that the geodatabase offers.
Listen to the podcast on the geodatabase data model and reasons why you should use it.
No, ESRI will continue to support shapefiles for the foreseeable future. This data structure, initially released by ESRI in 1994, provides a very simple data interchange format that has become an industry standard and is now used or supported by virtually the entire geospatial industry including many of our technology partners.
We added support for the file geodatabase at 9.2, and it has rapidly become the "next generation" of the shapefile for the GIS community. The file geodatabase is simple, easy to use, and very fast. In subsequent releases, we will be publishing APIs for open access of this format.ArcGIS Server 9.3 Enterprise supports both implementations of Microsoft's SQL Server 2008 spatial type: the geometry (or planar) type and the geography (or geodetic) type. We have worked closely with Microsoft to implement support for these data storage types in enterprise geodatabases on SQL Server 2008. Because ArcGIS Server 9.3 was released prior to the release of SQL Server 2008, we will continue to test against SQL Server 2008 release candidates. Should issues arise in the SQL Server 2008 final release, we will try to address them in an ArcGIS Server 9.3 Enterprise Service Pack. We are not shipping SQL Server 2008 Express with ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Server Workgroup until the release following ArcGIS 9.3.
At 9.3 ArcGIS Server Enterprise adds support for PostgreSQL 8.2.3 on Windows and Linux. In addition ArcGIS Server 9.3 Enterprise includes the PostgreSQL database, which is the first time that ESRI has provided an embedded DBMS that can be used with ArcGIS Server. ESRI provides our customers with the option of using either the ISO/OGC ST_Geometry type, which is the same spatial type available with ArcGIS Server Enterprise for Oracle, or the PostGIS spatial extension. Either option provides spatial SQL access to the geodatabase.
ESRI is committed to supporting the best open source technology with our products such as the Linux operating system, the Apache Web server, the GDAL graphics library, and now PostgreSQL databases.
Listen to the podcast with tips on implementing an enterprise geodatabase on PostgreSQL.Yes. With ArcGIS 9.2 service pack 5 (or higher), clients can connect to an ArcGIS 9.3 enterprise geodatabase. In addition, ArcGIS 9.3 clients can make direct connections to 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, or 9.3 enterprise geodatabases.
This new direct connect functionality is significant because it will make ArcGIS software upgrades for large enterprise users with enterprise geodatabases easier by giving them more flexibility to perform a scaled migration.
No, ArcGIS 9.3 is fully compatible with 9.2 geodatabases. There are no migration issues relating to geodatabases between 9.2 and 9.3. However, please note that some new 9.3 functionality will not be available with 9.2 geodatabases, specifically functionality for terrains and network datasets. At 9.3, terrains offer a new Window Size pyramid option, and network datasets include two new evaluators: Global Turn Delay and Function. You will need to migrate your geodatabase to 9.3 if you intend to use this functionality.
ESRI has supported ISO/OGC compliant spatial type extensions to relational databases since the mid-90’s. ESRI partners closely with IBM on the DB2 Spatial Extender and Informix Spatial DataBlade and has developed the ESRI ST_Geometry type for Oracle (introduced with ArcGIS 9.2) and the ESRI ST_Geometry type for PostgreSQL (introduced with ArcGIS 9.3). In the same timeframe, Oracle developed a spatial type extension, the SDO_Geometry type, which they introduced in Spatial and Locator with Oracle 9i. ESRI also supports this type. More recently, Microsoft developed two new spatial types which will be introduced with the release of SQL Server 2008 later this year. As with our earlier efforts with IBM and Oracle, ESRI has partnered closely with Microsoft in their spatial type implementation and closely aligned our ArcGIS 9.3 release to support both of these new spatial types.
From a market perspective, we believe that the efforts of IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and our own work in developing spatial data types that provide standards-based spatial SQL access opens the way to more widespread use of spatial data within the enterprise, creating a greater need for the work of GIS professionals and for GIS software. Technically, we believe that storing and managing enterprise geodatabases using spatial types in the leading relational databases will open the way for new access patterns and better IT system integration, which ESRI will utilize in future releases.Yes, this year we are particularly focused in the area of interoperability between various BIM and the geodatabase. We are working closely with our partner, Safe Software, to enable this. We see a need to enrich the geodatabase with a full range of tools that will exploit the BIM by going beyond simple visualization. At 9.4 we are implementing new tools for 3D analysis. We’ll show some of this at the user conference.
ArcGIS Desktop is fully supported on 64-bit Windows at 9.2 SP 3 and beyond. While ArcGIS is a 32-bit application, it has been tested and certified on the 64-bit versions of Windows. We have no immediate plans to release a native 64-bit version of ArcGIS Desktop, although we do continue to research this possibility.
The ArcSDE component of ArcGIS Server has had a native application server for some UNIX platforms for some time. At 9.3 SP1, we plan to release a native 64-bit version of the ArcSDE application server for 64-bit Windows and Linux and a 64-bit version of the ESRI ST_Geomety library for Oracle.
We continue to follow the trends in the Mac industry and our users’ requests for support for the Mac platform. While we don’t certify it, we have seen the ArcGIS Desktop software running on Macintosh systems using the “Boot Camp” capability included with the new versions of the Mac OS and hardware. This solution has very good performance.
In addition, many education users use a MapObjects Java-based application called ArcExplorer-Java Edition for Education that operates on Macintosh OSX and Windows.
No. Because of technology changes in Windows Vista, we cannot support ArcView 3.x on that operating system. ArcView 3.3 continues to be supported on Windows XP, although we no longer provide updates or fixes.
ESRI solution products are specialized applications built using ArcGIS. They are designed to model and support particular business functions and workflows with out-of-the-box solutions that provide immediate business value. These products have evolved out of repeated engagements between the ESRI Professional Services organization and key customers within particular application areas. These products include the following:
Business Analyst Suite provides a scalable set of server, desktop, and online-based products combined with a library of data to help users make better geo-business decisions. The product suite works for virtually any size or type of organization that needs to do site selection/site comparison, territory design and analysis, trade area analysis, competitive geo-demographic analysis, and customer profiling. The included data consists of current-year estimates and five-year projections for demographic data, consumer spending, segmentation and business data and nationwide street data for routing and drive-time analysis. ArcGIS Business Analyst is available as a server solution. This means organizations will be able to implement a server-based enterprise business solution that allows them to collaborate and solve real-life business problems. In addition, Business Analyst Online provides a complete Web-based solution for generating on demand presentation-quality demographic, consumer spending, and business reports and thematic maps for site analysis, customer profiling, trade area analysis, and economic development.
ArcLogistics is a desktop solution designed to solve complex, point-to-point routing and scheduling problems for optimizing transportation logistics and managing vehicle fleets. This product is prepackaged with street data from Tele Atlas for the entire United States. The product can also be acquired independent of data for implementing with other street map datasets.Production Line Tool Set (PLTS) for ArcGIS is a suite of applications that organize, manage, and enhance productivity for a multitude of map, chart, and database production activities. ESRI has developed templates that focus on the following areas: aeronautical, nautical, topographic, defense. These applications provide a flexible workflow template which helps to organize data automation, cartographic production, and data management. These applications include the generation of map series and data products common to each of these areas.
Job Tracking for ArcGIS (JTX) is a workflow management application designed to improve the efficiency of any multiuser GIS project. Job Tracking for ArcGIS (JTX) provides advanced job tracking and workflow management tools to help your organization save time and money. Using Job Tracking for ArcGIS (JTX), you can define, organize, and standardize the individual tasks within a workflow. You can allocate staffing resources, automate tasks, and track the status and progress of jobs from beginning to end. Job Tracking for ArcGIS (JTX) is available as an extension to ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Server.
ArcGIS Defense Solutions products consist of ArcGIS Military Analyst, Military Overlay Editor (MOLE), and Grid Manager and are freely downloadable from the ESRI Web site. ArcGIS Military Analyst provides display and analysis tools to support defense and intelligence planning. MOLE provides MIL-STD 2525B symbology for defense and intelligence mapping and visualization. The Grid Manager is a suite of tools that allows for the creation of multiple grids, graticules, and borders for a variety of map products.
GIS Portal Toolkit is a metadata catalog server extension that works with ArcGIS Server to support metadata search (discovery) services as a standard part of a GIS user’s Web site. This product includes many capabilities to do advanced searching, viewing, metadata harvesting, etc. and supports FGDC and ISO metadata standards, as well as Open Geospatial Consortium Specifications, such as Catalog Services for the Web (CSW), Web Mapping Services (WMS), Web Feature Services (WFS), Web Coverage Services (WCS), and Web Map Content documents (WMC).Business Analyst is a solution product suite that addresses a whole series of business related questions such as: Where should I put my next store? How is my current store performing? Am I offering the right products and services? Businesses and government agencies need reliable and effective tools to help them decide where to locate, relocate, expand, or in some cases consolidate facilities. Businesses in particular want to find their most profitable customers so that they can market to them and maximize their ROI. And they want to optimize their merchandising mix for different markets and reduce unsold inventory. To do this they need to understand customer buying behavior and find optimum markets and locations that match their customers’ profile. Demographics and market segmentation data, population forecasts, and other related data provide the answers to these questions.
Local and state governments face the same difficulty when deciding where to locate facilities such as libraries, police stations, fire stations, schools, hospitals and other health services centers. Economic development departments want to attract new and retain existing businesses in their cities or counties, and need to understand local market conditions so they can also give recommendations about specific locations in their trade area.
To address all of the above-mentioned problems and scenarios, ESRI has developed the Business Analyst products. It is a suite of application technology built on top of ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Server, and is also available as software-as-a-service over the Web. The Business Analyst product suite includes wizard-based applications that provide analysis and visualization capabilities so that users can get the best answers to all of the above questions. Behind these applications is a rich library of data from the leading providers including current-year estimates and five-year projections of demographic, census, segmentation, and customer expenditure data. It also provides information about market potential, supply and demand, and traffic counts for specified locations. Also available are business listings and summaries, major shopping centers information, and bank branch and deposit data.
ArcGIS Business Analyst Desktop provides workflows for site selection, territory analysis, economic development, and planning. The hosted version of Business Analyst, Business Analyst Online, is designed so that non-GIS users can become immediately productive. While more limited in capabilities, it delivers analysis results in an easily understood report format on demand via the Web. It requires no training and can be learned in a matter of minutes. Business reports for retail, commercial real estate, and economic development are supplemented by thematic maps that underscore the analysis. Business Analyst Online provides access to rich analytic capabilities with no upfront investment costs in infrastructure, data, or training. It is available to end users for an annual subscription or per transaction fee.
ArcGIS Business Analyst Server is an enterprise level solution for sharing and collaborating on geographic business analysis. It also has “out of the box” solutions for site evaluation and site selection, market planning, and customer analysis, such as determining where the best customers are located for a particular service or product. It includes ArcGIS Server, out of the box Web applications and workflow templates, and a complete library of data that can be customized by developers to integrate into an existing IT infrastructure and work with other back office systems such as CRM, ERP, etc.
Efficient fleet management will become more important as businesses and local governments look to optimize the performance of their vehicle operations in the context of saving fuel, reducing labor and maintenance costs, and "being more green." At 9.3, ESRI released a new solution product built on the ArcGIS platform to help organizations spatially manage and optimize their fleet operations. This solution, ArcLogistics, is used for building optimized routes and schedules in a multi-stop/multi-vehicle environment.
ArcLogistics 9.3 builds on the previous successes of ArcLogistics Route, a product developed in the late 1990s, whose users consistently reported cost savings of 15 to 20%. The earlier ArcLogistics Route was an effective operational tool as it was designed for non-GIS professionals to quickly create optimum routes and schedules while taking into account their business rules and the nature of the street network. The new version of ArcLogistics maintains this ease of use while adding new advantages that will make it a valuable analytical tool for GIS professionals including:
ArcLogistics will help organizations with vehicle fleets reduce drive times, fuel use, and unnecessary labor hours. We believe this product will be very beneficial to many of our users in local government, utilities, healthcare, social services, as well as businesses.
ArcGIS Military Analyst, along with Military Overlay Editor and Grid Manager, form the ArcGIS Defense Solutions products. These products enable you to create workflows, processes, and symbology that allow decisions to be executed more precisely and rapidly than ever before.
ArcGIS Military Analyst was developed for military end users and includes the ability to symbolize using standard military cartography symbols. It provides a framework for the collection, production, archiving, dissemination, and exploitation of information about the earth. Mission planning, logistics, and C2I have spatial relationships, and the ability to manage and perform analyses of spatial data and its relationships is critical for mission success. You can use ArcGIS Military Analyst to integrate spatial data with other relevant defense data, conduct battlefield planning, and analyze digital terrains.Yes, ESRI is committed to continuing support for Microsoft VBA with the ArcGIS Desktop applications and has updated to VBA version 6.5 at the ArcGIS 9.3 release. However we strongly suggest developers use Visual Studio 2005 / 2008 for customizing and extending ArcGIS Desktop. The ArcGIS Desktop .NET SDK provides samples, documentation, and utilities integrated in Visual Studio to help in ArcGIS Desktop development.
ArcGIS 9.3 will be our last release supporting Visual Basic (VB) 6 as a development environment as Microsoft has very limited support for this programming language and we can no longer receive fixes from Microsoft. Users with VB 6 applications should begin planning the migration of their applications to a current development environment such as VB.NET or C#.
There will be several technical workshops at the conference this year to help you get started with .NET and ArcGIS:
A special presentation with suggestions for migrating from VB 6 to VB.NET will take place in the ArcGIS Engine Demo Theater in the ESRI Showcase Wednesday, August 6, 10:30am – 11:30am Hall C.
The ESRI Developer Network (EDN) is very similar to MSDN. EDN is an annual subscription that provides a cost-effective way to license ESRI products for development purposes. EDN subscribers receive an extensive suite of software and data, discounts on support and training, and are invited to participate in selected beta releases. ESRI also supports developers through online software development kits (SDKs) in the Resource Centers and an annual Developer Summit.
The dates for the 2009 ESRI Developer Summit are March 23 – 26 in Palm Springs, California.ESRI has developed, as part of ArcGIS Server 9.3, a complete API for building rich Internet applications with Flex. This environment provides a powerful opportunity for our users to build highly interactive user interfaces for their Web applications.
The ArcGIS API for Flex will be made available as a free download in the ArcGIS Server Resource Center. ESRI will make the location of this API public during the User Conference. To learn more, visit the Adobe Flex Special Interest Group meeting on Tuesday, August 5, at noon in SDC Room 15A.
ArcGIS already contains a scripting environment within the geoprocessing environment using Python. This allows users to easily script geoprocessing tools to create process automation and data processing.
We continue to advance our use of Python and have significantly improved the performance at 9.3. After 9.3 we will be adding additional capabilities to our Python scripting to allow for more map and editing automation, similar to how macros written in the Arc Macro Language (AML) for ArcPlot and ArcEdit were used to help with data and map production in Workstation ArcInfo.EDN is the best way for developers to use the entire ArcGIS product line. We plan no changes for the product, its annual subscription, and add-on products.
We continue to be committed to the success of developers who are designing and creating customizations, applications, and systems using ESRI technologies. Last year, we decided to improve the fostering of user communities by enhancing the platform for us to interact. At version 9.3, we have released a new website called the ESRI Resource Centers which is designed to become the all-in-one web presence for our products and technologies. There you can discover what our products can do, find all of our documentation and samples, as well as access tools and resources for interacting with other users like yourself around the world.
The ArcGIS 9.3 release resolved many quality issues. Nevertheless, we still need to make improvements. 9.3 issues will be addressed in service pack releases. Our ongoing quality program focuses on several key elements:
We will continue to focus on improving the quality of our software across the board: installation, application use, documentation, error reporting, and scalability. Our software release process is centered on ensuring the highest quality with the upcoming ArcGIS 9.3 service packs.
At ArcGIS 9.3, when an operation or error causes a part of the system to fail, a file can be written and sent to ESRI Technical Support to assist in diagnosing the cause. Our goal is to significantly improve our ability to diagnose, repair, and prevent critical failures in our software as well as in the third-party software with which our applications interoperate.
This improved diagnostic functionality gives us a new ability to support users more quickly and effectively with many issues, especially those which are intermittent or are difficult to reproduce.The service pack methodology is a way to incrementally improve quality without significantly affecting the stability of the core technology. We are committed to this methodology and will be releasing service packs about once per quarter. There will be a service pack for ArcGIS 9.3 in the 4th quarter of 2008.
The User Advocacy Group and the Holistic Testing Program are two initiatives from ESRI created for the purpose of engaging our user community to provide feedback about our software.
User Advocacy Group (UAG)
ESRI created the User Advocacy Group (UAG) to better understand and respond to your concerns. Members of the UAG include senior staff and team leads from Product Development and ESRI Support Services. The UAG encourages feedback from the user community by collecting user information which is presented to development teams to help shape the direction of GIS software at ESRI. With the help of user feedback, the UAG was successful in pushing 35 percent of all issues recommended for service packs into 9.2 service packs.
ESRI Support Services will have a UAG booth in front of the Technical Support Island at this year’s User Conference. We encourage you to stop by to share your thoughts on ESRI software and to meet members of the UAG team.
Holistic Testing Program
You can provide feedback directly to Product Development by participating in holistic testing. Holistic testing is part of the ESRI software development process that tests releases using real-world workflows and datasets from our users. By implementing user workflows as an integral part of ESRI’s software testing strategy, software issues can be identified early and fixed prior to releasing the final product. This also increases our knowledge and understanding of your GIS scenarios.
Members of the Holistic Testing team will be at the Software Feedback Island at the conference to answer your questions and explain how you can get involved.
Our users are increasingly demanding productized out-of-the-box datasets and Web services designed to work immediately within applications. As a result, ESRI has decided to expand its strategy for data products and provide a full spectrum of geospatial content products that are ready to use with all of our technology. We have aggressively grown our data team to support our users in this area.
Our products include ready to use data in four areas:
Intelligent Basemaps and Thematic Overlays
At ArcGIS 9.2, ESRI released a new set of basemap products. They are available in both 2D and 3D globe formats. These basemaps are intelligent and cartographically rendered to support multiple scale display. They include relief, physical, political, and streets, as well as specialty layers for transportation, place names, administrative boundaries, and landmarks. Each of these maps integrates several layers of information designed to represent a basemap that is suitable for direct use in GIS. Typically a user will use these basemaps as background layers for locally created and maintained datasets.
Internet Access - ESRI serves basemaps as Web services to its users without cost through a new service called ArcGIS Online Services. There are certain restrictions related to volume and re-serving of these services, but generally desktop and ArcGIS Explorer users will be able to access, use, and republish their data in association with the ESRI basemaps without restrictions.
ArcGIS Data Appliance - Users can purchase these basemaps and overlays for use on their own server with ArcGIS Server. There are two products:
The ArcGIS Data Appliance delivers terabytes of prerendered data, cached at multiple scales on a preconfigured network storage device. There are two data collections that can be purchased: World Collection, which includes imagery for the world and a world street map, and USA/World Collection. The USA/World Collection includes USA Prime Imagery and USA StreetMap data. These collections are designed for organizations that already use ArcGIS Sever 9.2 or 9.3.
Alternatively, users who do not have ArcGIS Server can purchase the ArcGIS Data Appliance (Server Bundle), which includes the data collections as well as ArcGIS Server software and hardware needed to provide a complete turnkey solution. Additionally, a single state offering of the ArcGIS Data Appliance is now available. For more information, please call 1-800-447-9778 or visit the ESRI Showcase at the Conference.
Geodemographic Data
ESRI creates and provides a set of geodemographic datasets for United States. This data is available at multiple units of aggregation, including block group, ZIP Code, census tract, county, region, and state. The data includes current-year estimates and five-year projections of population and demographics, consumer spending data, business locations, retail supply and demand, and traffic counts data, as well as Tapestry, ESRI’s market segmentation system based on socioeconomic and demographic data that describes neighborhoods based on lifestyle and consumer behavior.
This data is relevant for commercial businesses such as retail, commercial and residential real estate, banks, and insurance companies, as well as government applications in economic development, urban planning, and public health. The datasets support applications such as site selection, competitive analysis, customer profiling, economic development, land use planning, transportation forecasting, utility customer analysis, community outreach, evacuation planning, etc.
StreetMap
StreetMap Premium is an enhanced street dataset that provides routing, geocoding, and high-quality cartographic display for the entire United States, Canada, and Europe and is integrated with ArcGIS Desktop's StreetMap routing and find toolbar. StreetMap Premium is also optimized to work with ArcGIS Network Analyst.
ESRI Data and Maps - Free
ESRI provides a broad collection of data and maps as a standard part of the ESRI software products, called ESRI Data & Maps. It includes datasets such as global 150 meter imagery, basemaps, census data, street maps, and a host of geographic information commonly used by GIS practitioners. These datasets are updated with each release of the software and provided without cost as part of the standard software license agreement. While users cannot redistribute this data, they are free to use it for any application. This dataset represent a massive amount of rich geographic information for cartography and geoprocessing (over 26 gigabytes of data that is useful at multiple scales). The Data & Maps 9.3 release will also include StreetMap Pro at no cost.
ESRI Data & Maps 9.3 is delivered on five DVDs including the 90 meter Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) elevation data for the world. This information has been mosaicked and edge matched, the holes have been filled, an analytic hill shade has been calculated, and it provides a wonderful background layer for regional, national, and global visualization.
To serve globe content with ArcGIS Server, you simply create a globe service. A globe service provides a 3D view of a globe or any part of the globe. You will need a 3D viewer application to access the globe service, such as ArcGIS Explorer, ArcGlobe, or ArcReader.
3D or globe content is authored in ArcGlobe, a component of the ArcGIS 3D Analyst Extension. Similar to the process of authoring 2D map content in ArcMap, saving the map document (.mxd), and then publishing it to ArcGIS Server, for globe content you author the 3D content in ArcGlobe, save the globe document (.3dd), and then publish it to ArcGIS Server.
Caching globe content will improve visualization and performance. For more information about caching globe data, read How globe caches work, Creating a 3D globe cache from a 2D map cache, and Publishing globe services to enhance your ArcGIS Explorer base map.
ESRI offers pre-cached globe services through ArcGIS Online. If you are looking for additional full globe content for ArcGIS Explorer, visit the ArcGIS Explore Resource Center. In addition, users can also get 3D and 2D basemaps via ArcGIS Data Appliance, which is the same data available through ArcGIS Online Services but delivered on a preconfigured network storage device that connects to an existing network and allows ArcGIS Server users to host and publish their own services.
Support for standards is an important part of enabling interoperability, and we are committed to supporting GIS and Web services standards in our software. ESRI supports geospatial standards from OGC, ISO, FGDC, etc.; IT standards from W3C and OASIS; and various GIS-related domain standards. We also offer various interoperability enablers such as direct read/write of dozens of data formats, support for hundreds of projections and datum, support for openly published data models, and tools for spatial ETL of data. ArcGIS also supports various metadata and catalog related specifications that provide practical ways to publish, discover, and bind to geospatial data and services.
Active Participation in Standards Organizations
ESRI’s goal is to support appropriate specifications as they become finalized and to actively participate in the development of GIS standards. By serving in leadership roles in many of the programs and specification efforts, we are able to contribute knowledge in interoperability and ensure the realization of standards compliance in our software products. Our support for standards exists throughout the ArcGIS product stack and specific standards support can be seen in products such as ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Desktop, and the Data Interoperability extension and in application products such as MOLE, PLTS, and the GIS Portal Toolkit.
Web Standards and Services
ESRI has adopted virtually all of the Web standards and services including WMS, WFS, KML, XML, and SOAP. Users can leverage the recently exposed REST services to build Web applications using a variety of APIs provided by ESRI, including Flex, Java, JavaScript, and .NET. Conformance to standards enables users to embed maps and tasks from any ArcGIS Server into a Web application and mashup information with existing data for display on other visualization platforms
Enterprise Standards Support
ArcGIS support for enterprise standards, including SOAP, XML, EJB, and SQL, enable organizations to integrate any system needed to support work flows and business requirements. The robust SOA platform conforms to an abundance of geographic information types as well as comprehensive tools for data management, editing, analysis, and display. This enables organizations to create enterprise GIS systems that:
Industry and IT Interoperability Support
The relationship between GIS technology and the rest of the IT infrastructure is crucial. ESRI has evolved tools in its software to support and integrate with virtually all of the commonly accepted standards. This includes direct data relationships with other vendor technologies including CAD, 3D pictures such as Pictometry, Google Maps, Microsoft Virtual Earth, IBM Maximo, DBMS vendors' technologies (DB2, SQL Server, Oracle, Informix) and various imagery formats, as well as support for spatial data formats with direct read and data access via SQL, OLE COM, XML, and GML.
In addition to these relationships, ESRI has also partnered closely with Safe Software, the global leader in spatial ETL (extract, transform and load) technology solutions, which allows our users to stay current with evolving GML standards. Safe Software has collaborated to integrate its FME product as the ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension into both ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Server.
To learn more about ESRI’s commitment to standards and interoperability, please visit www.esri.com/standards.
At 9.3, we have extensive support of KML, WMS, WCS, CSW, and WFS. By including support for style layer descriptors, filter encoding, and transactions support for WFS, we believe our support for these Web service standards are comprehensive and ready for use in real projects. Our support for GML includes both out-of-the-box simple features GML support and extended GML support (different application schemas like OS MasterMap, Top10NL, CityGML) using the ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension, which is based on Safe Software’s spatial ETL (extract, transform and load) platform. We have partnered closely with Safe Software, the global leader in spatial ETL technology solutions, which allows our users to stay current with evolving GML standards.
At 9.3 with WFS Transactions, the geodatabase is now accessible for simple features based transactions from any client that communicates using the WFS-T protocol. Support for emerging OGC specifications such as Web Processing Services (WPS) and for Sensor Web Enablement (SWE), are currently being studied for implementation in our future releases.
For more information on ESRI support for standards go to www.esri.com/standards.
ESRI is committed to interoperability with open source GIS. Traditionally, ESRI has been an open systems, closed source software vendor. From the earliest releases of ArcInfo in the 1980s, ESRI has provided open access to geographic data and functionality by publishing details of our formats (e.g., shapefiles and geodatabase XML), by supporting all mainstream de facto and de jure GIS data standards (e.g., SDTS, DXF, and ISO 19115 metadata), by publishing details of application programming interfaces (e.g., ArcSDE C API, ArcObjects .NET and Java APIs, and ArcGIS Server WSDL) and by supporting Web services standards (e.g., SOAP/XML, WMS, and WFS).
ESRI continues to maintain an open system strategy. The most recent evidence of this position is the new support for the open source RDBMS, PostgreSQL with the Enterprise Geodatabase at ArcGIS 9.3. In addition, ArcGIS 9.3 supports the spatial type for the open source DBMS, PostGIS, as a 3rd party vector storage type.
There are many ESRI products that interface with open source software solutions. ESRI supports developers and users who explore open source solutions to complement and customize ESRI products:
In addition, ESRI was a founding member of the oversight company for the 52°North open initiative. The purpose of 52°North is to develop open source software for Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI). The current focus of development is sensor Web enablement, security, and digital rights management. The emphasis is on research and development in these new areas. Products will be available using two licensing models: GNU General Public License (GPL) and a commercial use license. Further, ESRI is a member of the OpenAJAX Alliance, to allow us access to documentation and participation in dialogues with the top companies contributing toward AJAX standards, providing ESRI the ability to add content to the evolving standards for AJAX from a GIS perspective. To further encourage development in this area, ESRI provides an API for JavaScript at ArcGIS 9.3, available for free use with ArcGIS Online Services and ArcGIS Server services.
ESRI is also sponsoring and participating in open source geospatial conferences. These events provide a forum for ESRI to engage in a collaborative dialogue to learn more about the needs of open source geospatial developers and users. Our goal is to ensure that feedback from these discussions is reflected in future products and business direction, with the intention of continuing to help our customers.
The National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF) is a standard widely used by geospatial analysts in the defense and intelligence communities. The NITF format allows for storage and dissemination of imagery and its associated metadata - or the detailed information about the location, context, content, and structure of the image - in a single file. Currently, there are three different versions of the NITF specification: NITF 1.1., NITF 2.0, and NITF 2.1.
NITF support is provided by NITF for ArcGIS, an ArcGIS Desktop extension that has been developed jointly between ESRI and ITT Visual Information Solutions (ITT VIS), ESRI’s strategic partner in image processing. The U.S. Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) certifies the NITF for ArcGIS to complexity level (C-Level) 7, the highest level of compliance. NITF for ArcGIS also allows for the display and export of data in the NATO Secondary Imagery Format (NSIF 1.0).
ESRI’s Customer Care site provides centralized Web access to information regarding your organization. Visit the Customer Care site to:
ESRI offers a variety of online support tools that are available whenever you need them:
ESRI is committed to improving these tools to make them more efficient, effective, and user-friendly in providing you the information you need to be successful. Read the Support Center News blog for regular updates on improvements we’re working on, plus opportunities to help shape the focus of future improvements.
Innovating the way we provide quality technical support is one of the most difficult challenges we face at ESRI. ESRI Support Services is currently spearheading many initiatives to improve the level of customer service and technical support that we provide.
ESRI Support Services is upgrading its Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) system. Our new CTI system will allow you to quickly reach a subject matter expert while decreasing wait times and eliminating the need for you to provide redundant information when you call Support for technical assistance. Our CTI technology will also make your support experience easier by allowing for case management where you can schedule a callback to meet the needs of your schedule, submit new incidents and manage your incidents online to name a few.
ESRI Support Services is currently expanding its Support offerings by creating an Enterprise Support Program. This program is targeted towards Enterprise customers or customers with mission critical sites where 24/7/365 support is required. Enterprise Support customers will have dedicated Senior Enterprise Support Engineers who are familiar with their client’s configurations, workflows and business requirements.
This past year, ESRI Support Services has continued to raise the bar with respect to developing internal support staff. A newly created team within ESRI Support has taken on the task of formalizing the internal training process for all incoming and existing Support Engineers. This training process will improve customer relations and lower expected time to resolution by providing all support staff with increased resources and knowledge.
Last year, ESRI opened a new technical support center in Charlotte, North Carolina. On May 1, ESRI Support Services extended its hours of Operation by opening the Charlotte Operations Center at 8:00 a.m. EST. By extending our operating hours, ESRI Support Services now has Support Engineers available to assist you for 12 business hours from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern time.
Many technical support staff will be at the Technical Support Island at the User Conference and they are interested in getting to know you. We encourage you to stop by and share your thoughts with them on how we can better support your activities.
ESRI Support Services is excited to share many of our ongoing initiatives with you during presentations at this year’s User Conference. Presentations topics will include ESRI Support Center Improvements and Initiatives, Operations and Road Map Planning and User Advocacy Group Introduction and Overview. We strongly encourage you to attend each of the presentations as you will have the opportunity to provide feedback during the presentations to help steer and focus ESRI Support Services offerings.
Through the ESRI Support Center in the upcoming months, ESRI Support Services will provide information on topics about what happens when you submit an incident, how to submit a support incident, our escalation procedures, our scope of support and service level response times.
Over the past year, ESRI Support Services has continued to actively and aggressively recruit highly skilled Support Engineers. Tied to this, ESRI Support Services has worked with the Development teams to provide ongoing training for the 9.3 products. Additionally, Support Engineers were active participants in beta and holistic testing of 9.3. Many of the scenarios and workflows tested in the 9.3 testing came from 9.2 customer support incidents.
Starting with 9.3, ESRI Support Services took over beta support for 9.3 Beta. As a result, our Support Engineers have been exposed to 9.3 software throughout its development providing Support a large time frame to maximize our understanding and depth of the product. On May 9th, ESRI moved forward with shipping 9.3 Release Candidate 1 to a selected portion of our user community. Shipping 9.3 RC1 in addition to previously released 9.3 Beta provided the opportunity for ESRI Support Services to receive a more representative sample of all 9.3 Final issues before the volume of general release. This has helped with the following:
Finally, ESRI Support Services has invested heavily in improvements in processes, technology and people in order to better assist you. We have focused much of our attention on enhancing our support technology to increase incident efficiency and decrease resolution time. Additionally, we have worked closely with our development teams in order to streamline our communication and workflow process. This has led to a system where we are able to prioritize your software defects and address them in order to make you successful with ESRI software.
Forums: For many years, the Discussion Forums have continued to be a strong resource for learning and productivity where the main feature is “users helping users”. With tens of thousands of posts each year, many ESRI product users are getting more out of their efforts every day and in many ways. During the version 9.3 cycle, we are working to streamline these forums to make information easier to find, and the right users easier to interact with.
Galleries: A new user community tool which has been built into the Resource Centers are the "Galleries". These are tools where users can upload and share maps, models, utilities, runnable code, and code samples with other users. Each submission will have its own discussion thread, tagging, and rating to make each easier to find and improve.
Blogs: We are continuing to expand the reach of our blogs from the various product development teams at ESRI. The most recent is the ArcObjects Development Blog, where we can share the latest information, tips and tricks, and such with the community and spark discussion that you can use to learn and we can use to hear how to improve our products. We also have a new "ESRI TV" project in which we will be shooting video with various people and on various topics around ESRI which we feel will be helpful to users. To start, we will deploy these videos on the blogs, but depending on whether users feel these are valuable, we may create a separate Media Channel through the Resource Center for these.
Chat and Webcasts: To take Discussion Forums one step more "Live", later this year we will be deploying some selected topic-focused chat rooms in which users can interact 24x7, with each other and with ESRI staff. And also, to help maintain the momentum we all build at various conferences, we plan to field a webcast schedule which we will use to host technical topics year-round.
Knowledge Base, wikified: For many years, our online Knowledge Base has been a great way for us to push the latest technical documentation between releases. Later this year, we expect to complete the loading of our entire Knowledge Base document database into a wiki, so the community can participate, sharing with other users what they know and what they have learned.
The response to our questions concerning interest in an ESRI Certification Program were strongly positive. These programs offer recognition and reliable validation of your technical skills and knowledge. ESRI certification would focus on ArcGIS skills and knowledge. Advantages include life-long professional development, new job opportunities and increased productivity. Software certification also provides enhanced credibility in your profession, especially when combined with professional certification (GISP).
This kind of program is typically outsourced to third-party education and testing organizations and, while expensive to establish these programs, they have been in demand for many years. In order to maintain a program, it is necessary to charge for exams.
ESRI is using your feedback to determine the need and potential structure of a certification program. More information will be available in 2009.
Instructor-led Virtual Classroom courses are a good option for those who are unable to travel but prefer to learn in a classroom environment. In a Virtual Classroom course, an ESRI instructor teaches the class in real time over the Web. Each class has three consecutive half-day sessions, which means you can remain productive on the job and learn new skills at the same time. You interact with the instructor and other students through the telephone and typed messages and perform all exercises using software and data hosted by ESRI. To see a list of Virtual Classroom courses, registration information, and schedules, visit the Training and Education Web site.
Another option to consider is a client-site instructor-led class. ESRI can send an instructor to your organization to teach a client-site class of up to 15 students. You can find detailed information about client-site class pricing and requirements on the Training and Education Web site.
For focused training on new ArcGIS 9.3 features and enhancements, ESRI is offering a series of live training seminars through the end of this year, which will be archived and available for free on the Training and Education Web site. Planned topics include an overview of the new tools for data management, mapping and visualization, and spatial analysis, as well as usability enhancements in ArcGIS Desktop 9.3; editing tips and tricks; how to publish KML services in ArcGIS Server 9.3; implementing and optimizing ArcGIS Server map caches; and implementing security for ArcGIS Server Java and Microsoft .NET custom applications. To view the schedule of upcoming live training seminars, go to http://training.esri.com/campus/seminars/schedule.cfm.
Additionally, all instructor-led training and Web-based training courses are being updated to cover ArcGIS 9.3 tools and functionality. This project is well underway. Instructor-led course updates are for the most part complete, and Web course updates will be complete in the fall. To see a complete list of ESRI training options and search for courses on specific topics, visit the Course Catalog on the Training and Education Web site.
The “Learning GIS using ArcGIS Desktop” course is the equivalent of “ArcGIS Desktop I: Getting Started with GIS”. The name of the course changed with the release of ArcGIS Desktop version 9.3. It is the first class in the ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 Foundational Training Curriculum. The “Introduction to ArcGIS 1 and 2” courses have been updated and received name changes as well. All of the same content is covered; it has just been reformatted and repackaged. “ArcGIS Desktop II: Tools and Functionality” is a three day course which covers fundamental concepts in more depth. The focus of this class is on how to work with geographic data using ArcGIS Desktop. “ArcGIS Desktop III: GIS Workflows and Analysis” is a two day class. It explores best practices for using geoprocessing tasks for manipulating geographic data and performing analysis.
In just two or three days, ESRI instructor-led training courses can get you up to speed with the software and the latest application development concepts and techniques. They offer excellent value for the cost. We recommend instructor-led training as the fastest way to learn ESRI technologies. If you are an authorized ESRI business partner, you are eligible to receive a 40% discount on instructor-led courses taught at ESRI facilities in the United States.
If you are new to ArcGIS Server, you should start with Introduction to ArcGIS Server, which covers the product architecture, capabilities, and client applications. Our newest ArcGIS Server course, ArcGIS Server: Web Administration Using the Microsoft .NET Framework, teaches effective strategies for ensuring performance, security, and reliability when setting up and maintaining an ArcGIS Server implementation.
Other instructor-led courses designed specifically for ArcGIS Server developers are Developing Applications with ArcGIS Server Using the Microsoft .NET Framework and Developing Applications with ArcGIS Server Using the Java Platform. These courses teach how to build custom applications using the Web ADF, ArcGIS Server APIs, and Web Mapping Application templates.
You may be aware that ESRI broadcasts a live training seminar each month. All live training seminars are archived and available for free viewing on the Training and Education Web site. Many training seminars covering ArcGIS Server are currently available, and more live training seminars on ArcGIS Server topics are planned throughout the remainder of the year. Check the live training seminar schedule regularly and request an e-mail reminder for those you are interested in attending.
We understand that in today’s economy, many organizations must reduce expenditures and be more cost conscious. ESRI is working hard to provide the most value to our users in these challenging times. That being said, we believe that training is vital to every successful GIS implementation. Proper training results in increased productivity, more efficient workflows, and smarter technology investments, producing long-term cost savings.
ESRI instructor-led training courses are offered at numerous learning centers around the United States and are the preferred training method for technical staff who want to get up and running quickly with the software. Organizations are eligible for a 10% volume discount when they register five or more students in the same class. ESRI can also send an instructor to your company’s site to teach a class, which eliminates the need for staff travel and can be an affordable option for companies with a limited training budget. To view a schedule of instructor-led classes, go to the Class Schedule page on the Training and Education Web site.
The Instructor-Led Virtual Classroom is another training option that eliminates the cost of travel. With a Virtual Classroom course, an expert ESRI instructor delivers the course in three, consecutive half-day sessions over the Web. Students can ask questions and get answers in real time, interact with other students, and complete all exercises using the latest ESRI software and data hosted by ESRI. Due to the half-day schedule, staff can remain productive while they learn.
ESRI Virtual Campus Web courses are a very affordable and popular way to learn ESRI software as well as the theory underlying GIS technology. Some Web courses include free downloadable trial editions of ESRI software, and many include the first learning module free of charge. If you have an Internet connection, you have access to more than 170 hours of free Web-based training. For a complete list of Web-based training, visit the Course Catalog page on the Training and Education Web site.
Instructional Series podcasts are another source of free training on demand for ESRI software. Podcast topics include software tips and tricks, updates on new software features, and best practices for working with a geodatabase. To listen to or download a podcast or to subscribe to the podcast feed, visit the podcast page.
ESRI Press books provide reasonably priced, self-paced GIS learning options. Both new and updated tutorials are available with the 9.3 release and they include GIS exercises, ArcGIS 9.3 software, and sample data. Visit www.esri.com/esripress for a list of all of the latest titles.
Any training recommendation depends on what your job responsibilities are; that is, what you need to accomplish using ArcGIS software. It sounds like you would benefit from a general introduction to GIS concepts as well as introductory ArcGIS training.
The ArcGIS Desktop Foundational Training series is a good place to start. The courses in this series cover fundamental GIS concepts, skills development using a wide range of ArcGIS functionality, and recommended GIS workflows and analysis techniques. The ArcGIS Foundational Training Wizard can help you determine which course to start with.
Another helpful tool for finding appropriate training is the Recommended Courses tool. After making selections related to your area of interest and job tasks, the tool will provide a list of instructor-led and Web-based courses that meet your criteria as well as relevant books and training seminars.
Live training seminars are broadcast monthly from the ESRI Training and Education Web site. These seminars feature presentations and demonstrations on focused topics by subject matter experts. You can ask questions and get answers in real time. Every live training seminar is archived and available for free after the live event. To view a schedule of upcoming live training seminars, visit http://training.esri.com/campus/seminars/schedule.cfm.
Instructional Series podcasts are another source of free, focused training you can listen to from your desktop or anywhere using an MP3 player. Podcast topics include software tips and tricks, updates on new software features, and best practices for working with a geodatabase. New podcasts are published often. To listen to or download a podcast or to subscribe to the podcast feed, visit http://www.esri.com/news/podcasts/instructional_series.html.
Develop leading GIS software products. This involves engineering and supporting a complete and integrated software platform for GIS. Some of the characteristics of this platform are:
Our approach to developing and evolving this platform involves building generic functionality that can be applied across many different industries and applications. In recent years, we have architected this platform with open standards that allow it to be highly interoperable, embeddable, and integrated with other standard IT infrastructure.
Our development is heavily influenced by three things: what our users need, changing technology, and the creative efforts of our software development staff.
Provide GIS support services for our users. ESRI has provided a family of GIS professional services for more than 39 years.
These services include:
Support a global GIS business partner network. This network is focused on helping our users by providing thousands of solutions and services offerings that complement and extend our core platform. We currently have more than 2,200 partners who specialize in everything from consulting and system integration to software products that embed or work with ESRI products. ESRI partners with leading IT vendors and consultants that provide platform or synergistic technology such as HP, IBM, Microsoft, SAP, SAS, and Trimble.
Build solutions products. ESRI builds several focused applications software products that support key markets including:
Many of ESRI's business partners customize, extend, and integrate these solutions.
Success can be measured in many ways: user success, growth of the GIS industry, product success, education of the work force, successful projects, financial stability, employee growth, etc. At ESRI, we measure all of these things. We continue to implement the following strategies:
Focus on our users' needs. Philosophically, as well as in our business practices, we operate in the context of serving our users. While this is harder as we grow larger, we see our users as our reason for existing. We also see their work and accomplishments as well as productivity as important. This doesn’t mean we always do the right thing or that we are in some way better than another company. Nevertheless, this focus seems to help us be better focused on what is important.
Evolutionary approach to developing products and services based on feedback from users. ESRI evolves its products and services in response to what users tell us they need and want. This commitment to work with our users helps us understand their needs and guides us in prioritizing what is important relative to our engineering cycles. It causes our thinking and technology to evolve.
Over the years, listening to users and acting upon their feedback enabled us to take our base technology, originally invented for several limited markets, and evolve it into a generic multi-disciplinary technology with cross-cutting value. We have had to feel our way and develop an understanding of each of the various markets in which we deploy our technology.
Our most mature products generally reflect our response to users and contain much in the way of institutional knowledge of working GIS implementations. The same type of feedback has helped us evolve our organizational structure as we serve our users. We are currently being challenged in the enterprise arena, and we are responding by changing our approach and helping users with solutions.
A strong business partner program. For 17 years we have invested in developing a group of partners who build products and provide services in association with our products. The result has been a slow and incremental growth of what people today refer to as the ESRI business partner network. Our partners are often leaders in their field. They have helped us grow, and in turn we have helped them in a powerful symbiotic network.
Focus on GIS. While over the years ESRI has had the opportunity to work in many fields, our guiding focus has, and continues to be, growing GIS and its applications. While not without competitors, the Arc family of products has long dominated the GIS market and is certainly the choice of people who do true or real GIS. While we certainly respect our competitors and competitive technology, we do not see this level of focus and commitment to GIS in any other commercial organization. Although we do not dismiss the importance of many GIS-related technologies (e.g., CAD, remote sensing and image processing, simple Web mapping, GPS and survey devices, spatial extensions for DBMSs, etc.), these are not full GISs.
We believe that our focus on developing and evolving GIS technology, coupled with our generic tools approach, makes a difference in the world and ultimately contributes to our users’ productivity. Users often tell us “no matter what the GIS problem, I can use ESRI’s products to be successful.”
Powerful engineering. One of ESRI’s most important reasons for success is its ongoing commitment to and investments in high-quality engineering. Nearly 20% of our annual revenue is reinvested in this part of our company. One of our competitive advantages is that we have by far the strongest GIS software engineering team in the world.
GIS involves a complex and challenging set of technologies: data capture, data storage and management, spatial analysis, and visualization. Very few organizations have successfully created a full function/full feature GIS like ESRI’s current system.
In order to be successful in a complex software environment, as an organization we use powerful engineering skills to build software based on high-quality standards. We have seen over the years that as our products are released and mature, our customers find them useful as they add significant value to their organization.
Strong communications. ESRI’s marketing and sales organizations focus on communicating and selling our customers products that truly add value. We believe that developing a consultative relationship (genuinely helping a user figure out a problem) is, in the long run, the best way that organizations like ESRI can continue to grow and be sustainable.
The ingredients that contribute to this environment include:
A philosophy of helping our users.
Promoting success. We believe that promoting the success of GIS is important. We have many vehicles for this communication including ArcNews (600,000+ subscribers), ArcUser (390,000+ subscribers), www.esri.com, many industry-oriented newsletters, our International User Conference, and many regional and industry user group meetings.
User education. ESRI has a strong commitment to education via formal training classes, Virtual Campus training (250,000+ students), and ESRI Press (millions of books in print). These all require major investments on an ongoing basis.
The ESRI culture. Many people who have contact with ESRI comment on the ESRI culture. ESRI’s staff is genuinely interested in promoting the value of GIS throughout the world. Our work and technology make a difference, and having the freedom of being a private company has helped us sustain this culture.
We have compelling evidence that GIS-enabled geography really matters in governments, business, education, science, and so on. This is quite motivating, and we genuinely appreciate our partnership with our users to extend this culture.ESRI has initiated a number of activities over the years. We are especially proud of our recent efforts to downsize the ArcGIS 9.3 packaging for a 66% overall reduction in materials from the 9.2 release. This translates into approximately 11 train car loads of paper. The overall package is completely recyclable with some items having 30% post-consumer waste, and we hope to increase that percentage in the next release. The books are now available on demand in digital form and in printed form as needed.
Here are some other examples of our efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle:
ESRI’s core business is creating and distributing GIS software products. We sell these products globally using our own sales staff, international distributors and ESRI subsidiaries, and authorized business partners. We also provide a variety of support services related to those products: education, technical support, and professional services. These services are focused on things which ultimately matter to our users.
In the United States we sell most of our software directly through our own non-commissioned sales teams. These teams are made up of account managers, business partner coordinators, and technical sales engineers. The people on these teams are distributed throughout the country and work directly to support the needs of our customers and business partners. You will find these individuals to be extremely knowledgeable about GIS technology and how to use it to solve a variety of business challenges (most of the people on the sales teams were users of our technology prior to joining ESRI). If you would like to speak with one of our account managers please call 1-800-GIS-XPRT or you can use our website.
Outside of the U.S. our products are sold exclusively through our international distributors and ESRI subsidiaries. The people in these organizations are knowledgeable about ESRI technology and how to use it to solve a variety of business challenges.
An important part of ESRI is our family of over 2,200 authorized business partners. These partners provide a variety of value added services and products that complement and extend our line of GIS software products. Many of our business partners will be exhibiting at the user conference and we encourage you to visit the vendor area at the convention center.
Yes. ESRI has several programs for donating its software to non-profit conservation-related organizations, non-profit community service organizations, 4-H and youth programs, indigenous groups, and educational institutions. For more information about these grants, visit www.esri.com/grants.
ESRI supports over 5,000 NGO organizations with software and community support. We believe these donations have made a huge difference not only to the missions of these organizations but also to opening a dialog between government agencies, private business, and the citizen organizations. They are sharing common data and discussing issues in a more collaborative (GIS-based) environment. GIS technology has helped focus attention on the real problem areas and helped facilitate dialog and peer-to-peer interaction in a more thoughtful and open way. Organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and the Wildlife Conservation Society have assisted enormously in advancing the NGO community's efforts in conservation.
In addition, in partnership with 4-H, ESRI supports youth programs in over 600 counties throughout the United States and its territories with software and training. These programs combine technical education with community service, preparing youth for high-tech jobs in the workforce while simultaneously benefiting their communities through programs such as "4-H Alert, Evacuate, and Shelter," which helps communities build emergency preparedness plans. ESRI also supports hundreds of schools through the Community Atlas Program, which fosters a greater sense of community involvement through projects that explore the history, environmental concerns, and community assets of the students' hometowns.
This year, ESRI entered into a new partnership with the American Public Gardens Association. This organization is helping provide ESRI software grants to arboretums and public gardens around the country and world. Botanical gardens and arboretums hold living collections of plant species for both public education and scientific research. They are stewards of many rare and endangered plants and over time will become protected sanctuaries for some of the last remaining specimens of plants facing extinction.
ESRI is encouraging its users around the world to adopt a garden or arboretum and work collaboratively, sharing GIS knowledge and data to help gardens manage their plant collections and to support their outreach and education programs.
We have completed several ELAs for mid-sized governments. Your account manager would be happy to discuss an ELA program that would meet your needs and budget. If you do not already know your account manager please contact us at 800-GIS-XPRT and we will help you.
Each city and county government needs to look at this carefully. There are two ways to view an ELA. First, the ELA provides a purchasing vehicle that allows a local government to manage its costs while maximizing the opportunity to deploy GIS into its business processes. The second way to look at an ELA is to consider the program as an effective way to manage the implementation of GIS throughout the organization. At almost any stage of deployment, the ELA license makes sense.
The ELA is designed for organizations that envision a GIS program that extends to the entire organization. The ELA provides the necessary tools to create data, perform analysis, establish data centers, visualize information, create and test custom applications, extend information through the Internet, and to support a mobile work force. Ultimately, the ELA program can support the full spectrum of GIS use. Whether your goal is to assist a department in developing GIS data for use in their projects, or to provide GIS professionals with the tools to conduct advanced analysis, the ELA program will fit your needs.Your response to the survey question about what vendors and technology you are most interested in having ESRI support and collaborate with is as follows:
ESRI, like most of our users, is very concerned about the environment. We have taken steps in what we call our "Eco-Friendly Journey". There is always more to be done – by individuals and by organizations. For the ESRI UC 2008, we are trying to reduce, recycle, and reuse wherever possible. Here are some of the steps we are taking:
In addition, ESRI and the San Diego venues collaborated to make the ESRI UC more eco-friendly. This includes the decision to use organic plates and utensils at food events in the convention center and china at food events in the Marriott Hotel. We also asked both venues to increase the number of recycle bins during our conference. We are fortunate that the venues in San Diego already have progressive green campaigns. Here are some of the things they are doing:
San Diego Convention Center
Marriott Hotel and Marina
For more information on what we are doing, go to http://www.esri.com/events/uc/welcome/eco_friendly.html. Links are provided for more information on the San Diego Convention Center and Marriott Hotel and Marina initiatives.
The ESRI Web site at www.esri.com/uc has detailed information about the User Conference. Also, for the latest conference news, information and tips go to the UC Blog.
You can also hear from some of the speakers on the ESRI Speaker podcast series. These can give you insight into some of the presentations as well as catch you up on the lastest GIS discussions from senior ESRI staff.
This year, ESRI has created the “Official ESRI UC 2008” group on Facebook. Membership in the group has been growing daily and includes attendees from all over the world. These group members, as well as ESRI staff, have been contributing information about the UC and forming discussion topics based on common interests.
Wireless access is available in the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) and the Marriott event areas for free via the 802.11b network. ESRI staff can assist you with this at the Wireless Helpdesk in the Grand Lobby. Hours of this desk are listed in the printed agenda on page 6. Detailed information is also available online.
This is the sixth year of ESRI’s Survey & Engineering GIS Summit. The original goal of this pre-conference workshop was to “bridge the gap” professionally and technically between the GIS community and professional land surveyors. Each year this session has made progress in creating better understanding. For GIS professionals, the land surveyor provides one of the most important foundation datasets for a GIS. Understanding this data and how to work with surveyors in a professional sense is the goal again this year. One of the outcomes of these collaborative meetings has been ESRI’s effort to create a cadastral fabric for land information systems that is survey aware, but also builds on the ArcGIS system as an integral foundation. We welcome users to attend this summit. It promises to once again make progress on defining what’s needed technically and professionally for more successful collaboration.
First, we appreciate the warm and supportive feedback our users have given. It's very motivating to hear from you and see the great achievements that you make year after year.
The process of reviewing the comments and the questions from our users as well as responding to them one by one, is extremely valuable for us at all levels across the organization. We use the information to manage and direct the limited resources of ESRI in ways that are most relevant and supportive to you.
This survey is very valuable to our software teams. Also, in some cases, answering the questions helps us clarify our own direction.
Thank you heartily for this help and partnership.
For the first time, the UC Proceedings are available online for UC attendees. Content includes the technical workshop presentations and paper sessions from the ESRI UC, EdUC, and Survey & Engineering GIS Summit. Additional presentations will be added to the site during the coming weeks.
To access the proceedings online, you must first log in to your UC Account. Locate the blue “Sessions” heading in the right-hand column. Click the “View Proceedings” link under the heading, and you will go to the UC Proceedings Site.
Papers presented at UC will also be included on the UC Proceedings CD.