ArcGIS

Introduction

ArcGIS is a family of software products that form a complete GIS built on industry standards that provide exceptional, yet easy to use, capabilities right out of the box. ArcGIS is a complete, single, integrated system for geographic data creation, management, integration, and analysis.
Much more than a specialized offering for a small niche of specialists, ArcGIS is designed as a scalable system that can be deployed in every organization, from an individual desktop to a globally distributed network of people.

Complete GIS

ArcGIS provides flexibility when configuring a system since it is modular and scalable. It is modular in the sense that you acquire the system in pieces.

ArcReader is a free, easy-to-use product that allows anyone to view, explore, and print published map files.

ArcView includes all the functionality of ArcReader and provides data visualization, query, analysis, and integration capabilities along with the ability to create and edit simple geographic features.

ArcGIS Desktop Products

ArcIMS provides the foundation for distributing high-end geographic information systems (GIS) and mapping services via the Internet.

ArcPad software is mobile mapping and geographic information system (GIS) technology.

ArcGIS is scalable since it can be deployed on an individual desktop or across a globally distributed network of people.

Built out of modern object-based components, the range of software programs share the same core applications, user interface, and operating concepts. After you learn one, you'll easily understand how to use the others. If you extend one, your custom tool or application just works with the others. This makes it easier to learn, teach, program, and produce maps. In summary, ArcGIS is a robust platform built on an architecture that will be the foundation of ESRI software for years to come.

Industry Standards

ArcGIS features a modern design that embraces the current standards pervasive throughout the information technology (IT) arena.

The desktop software is built with an intuitive Windows user interface that makes GIS accessible to all. ArcGIS embraces other standards including:

• Geographic metadata standards (Federal Geographic Data Commission [FGDC])
• Web standards (Extensible Markup Language [XML])
• Networking standards (TCP/IP)
• Standard notation for the modeling of real-world objects (Unified Modeling Language [UML])

The open programming environment is significant enough to warrant special attention. While other companies provide a programming interface to access functionality, the full capability of ArcGIS is exposed at a fine granularity.

The collection of software components that comprise ArcGIS is known as ArcObjects. More than 1,100 individual COM-based components are provided in a well-documented data model. Customization is performed using the built-in Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) scripting capabilities or a COM-compliant programming language such as Visual Basic, Visual C++, or Delphi.

Because of this reliance on industry standards, ArcGIS is IT compliant and open. As a result, it is easily integrated into an organization.

Rich in Functionality

ArcGIS embraces the functionality that GIS professionals expect and adds a large list of new features.

• Data automation and editing are enhanced because of a number of advanced feature construction tools.
• Data management is improved via a Windows-type explorer view of all geographic data and the ability to preview and manage metadata.
• Geoprocessing and data manipulation are handled via wizards and tools for conversion and analysis.
• The ArcGIS Desktop products (ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo) are Internet-enabled and can seamlessly integrate data from any ArcIMS server for analysis with local data.
• Adding data from the Geography Network is straightforward because it is a command in the File menu.

ArcGIS includes a number of unique features that have become must-haves with users:

• On-the-fly projection of both vector and raster data saves huge amounts of time and effort.
• Being able to adjust the transparency of any layer, whether it is vector or raster data, produces better maps.
• High-quality reporting and graphing functionality make it easier to communicate the ideas represented on the map.
• And for many users, the improved cartography is most significant since it provides options that were never available before.

ArcGIS operates with existing data formats and improves support for the geodatabase (short for geographic database). The geodatabase is a physical store of geographic information inside a DBMS with a data model that supports transactional views of the database (versioning) and also supports objects with attributes and behavior. This allows closely integrated data management and an unparalleled collaborative environment for multiuser editing and update.

ArcGIS Desktop refers to a suite of three integrated core applications: ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcToolbox.

* ArcMap is used for all mapping and editing tasks, as well as map-based analysis.
* ArcCatalog is the application for managing spatial data holdings, for managing database designs, and for recording and viewing metadata.
* ArcToolbox simplifies many common GIS data conversion and geoprocessing tasks.

Works out of the Box

The rich functionality of ArcGIS is easily usable out of the box. The ArcGIS Desktop has an intuitive user interface that makes GIS accessible to all. Impressive results are possible with minimal effort.

The software is logically structured into separate applications for:

• Mapping
  
• Data management
  
• Geoprocessing

The extensive printed documentation supplies overall concepts, operating guides, and tutorials. Online help is provided with the software and is also available as a Web-based system with up-to-date information. In addition, all the ArcGIS software includes one year of technical support.

ArcGIS data models provide a template for specific industries and applications with ready-to-use nonproprietary frameworks for modeling and capturing the behavior of real-world objects in a geodatabase.

ESRI has initiated a series of programs to facilitate creating these data models in close collaboration with our user groups for each industry. These efforts allow GIS users to spend less time designing and developing data models. ESRI ’s goal is to make these data model extensions open and widely available. In some cases, we are cosponsoring their development.

Today and Tomorrow

ArcGIS meets the ESRI vision for a single, scalable software architecture. Furthermore, the ArcGIS system is designed to interoperate with existing enterprise technology, applications, and databases.

Through the use of IT standards, ArcGIS can integrate with enterprise databases, Web servers, and complementary applications for enterprise resource management, customer relationship management, and land management.

In summary, ArcGIS meets GIS needs now and into the future. Designed to meet the needs of a wide range of users, ArcGIS is a scalable family of software comprising a complete GIS, built on industry standards, that is rich in functionality and works out of the box. Organizations deploy the software and extensions of ArcGIS, ArcView, ArcEditor, ArcInfo, ArcSDE, and ArcIMS in a configuration appropriate for their needs.

ArcGIS Desktop Products Editing Capabilities

*ArcView supports simple features (points, lines, polygons, and static annotation) in a personal geodatabase, not rules and relationships.

ArcGIS operates with existing data formats and introduces a new data model called the geodatabase (short for geographics database). The geodatabase extends the shapefile and coverage model with support for advanced geometry (3D coordinates and true curves), complex networks, relationships among feature classes, planar topology, and other object-oriented features.