Project Goal
Since 2019, the Estonian Geological Survey has built a comprehensive Esri-based system for collecting, managing, integrating, and publishing national geological data. Our goal was not to create only one application, but to establish a unified geospatial data environment where borehole records, geological descriptions, analyses, maps, and related data are stored, maintained, and shared in a structured way. AUK is the flagship application within this broader ecosystem, providing public access to state-held borehole data, including locations, geological descriptions, photographs, and analyses.Business Problem Solved
The key challenge was that geological data collection, storage, and access were fragmented across datasets, legacy materials, and separate workflows. This made data difficult to find, reuse, and share, and increased the likelihood of repeated work and duplicate investigations. We solved this by building an integrated Esri-based system that supports the full data lifecycle: field collection, centralized storage, data management, quality control, internal use, and public dissemination. AUK is the most visible outcome of this work, but the larger achievement is a national geological data infrastructure.
Technology Implemented
Our solution is built as a complete Esri-based ecosystem. We use ArcGIS Enterprise and Portal to manage, publish, secure, and share geospatial services and applications. The AUK application runs on top of the EGT geological database and uses ArcGIS Enterprise feature services, geoprocessing services, hosted content, and role-based access management. We also use ArcGIS Field Maps for field data collection, enabling data to move from fieldwork into central databases. In addition, we have developed several map applications in the Esri environment to support both internal workflows and public access.
Development Team Biography
The project was led by the Estonian Geological Survey team: Mariliis Aren, Kreet Solnask, Ants Vain, Markus Maido, and Kiira Mõisja. The team combined geological expertise, data management knowledge, and practical understanding of user and institutional needs. The development partner was AlphaGIS OÜ, which supported the technical implementation of the solution architecture and application development. This cooperation ensured that the result is not just technically functional, but also aligned with real geological data workflows and long-term public sector needs.
Company Overview
The Estonian Geological Survey is Estonia’s national geological organization, responsible for collecting, preserving, managing, and making geological information available for public and professional use. Our work supports evidence-based decisions in government, research, spatial planning, and the use of natural resources. A core part of this mission is ensuring that nationally important geological data is structured, reliable, and accessible. The Esri-based system we have built directly supports that mission by turning geological information into usable national data infrastructure.
Return on Investment
The return on investment comes from building long-term national data infrastructure rather than a single digital product. By creating an Esri-based system for data collection, storage, management, and public access, we have reduced time spent searching for information, improved data quality, and increased the reuse of existing geological data. AUK improves public accessibility, while the broader system supports faster and better evidence-based decisions and reduces the need for duplicate investigations when data already exists. This increases the long-term value of state-held geological information for all stakeholder groups.