ArcGIS-ESRIGeospatial - GIS

ESRI products, what are they for?

This is one of the questions that many ask themselves, after the ESRI convention we came with all that number of very nice catalogs but that on several occasions cause confusion about what I occupy in what I want to do. The purpose of this review is to provide a synthesis of what ESRI products are, their functionality and price for decision-making by users who intend to purchase them.

In this section we will see the base products, in a later one we will analyze the most common extensions, although ESRI still sells 3x versions (which are still in use, we will focus on the most recent versions (9.2)

About ArcGIS

image ArcGIS is an integrated collection of ESRI products designed to build, maintain, and leverage a geographic information system (GIS), including scalable desktop, server, web services, and mobile capabilities. It is understood that companies buy several of these products based on what they need, the ArcGIS base products are as follows:

ArcGIS 9.2

image This is a set of tools for desktop use, generally to build data, edit, analyze and generate products for printing or publishing.

ArcGIS Desktop it is equivalent to AutoCAD in the industry of AutoDesk or Microstation in Bentley; It is useful for common jobs in the GIS area, if you want to do more specialized things there are other extensions or applications, this is called Scalability ranging from ArcReader, and extending to ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo. (Although as our friend Xurxo says, it is not scalable because the application is the same with a different interface) Each of these scales implies progressive capabilities that are complemented by other extensions.

ArcGIS Engine is a library of desktop development components with which programmers can build components with custom functionality. Using ArcGIS Engine, developers can extend functionality into existing applications, or build new applications for their own organizations, or resell to other users.

ArcGIS Server, ArcIMS and ArcSDE are used to create and operate server-based applications, which share GIS functionalities either within an intranet or served to the public via the Internet.   ArcGIS Server is a central application used to build GIS applications from the server side and that are used by users within a company and interfaces from the web.  ArcIMS It is a map service for the publication of data, maps or metadata on the web using standard Internet protocols.  ArcSDE Is an advanced data server to access geographic information management systems in relational databases. (Before we made a Comparison of these IMS services)

ArcPad Accompanied by a wireless mobile device, it is widely used to consult or collect data and information in the field, especially applied to GPS devices or PDAs. ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Engine running on a laptop or tablet are used to perform tasks that require data collection, analysis, and decision making.

All these programs use the concept of geodatabase, which is the Standard of geographic information bases used by ArcGIS (A very typical ESRI format, with the limitation of its constant changes between versions). The geodatabase is used to represent real-world land objects in ArcGIS and store them in a database. The geodatabase implements business logic as a set of tools to access and manage geographic information data.

ArcView 9.2

image ArcView is ESRI's basic system for viewing, managing, creating, and analyzing geographic data. Using ArcView you can understand the context of geographic data, allowing you to see the relationships between layers and identify patterns of behavior. ArcView helps many organizations to make decisions quickly.

ArcView is the world's most popular desktop geographic data management system (GIS) because it provides an easy way to use the data. With a large amount of symbology and geographic capabilities you can easily create high quality maps. ArcView makes data management, basic editing, and arduous tasks supplemented by various people in an organization. Virtually any geographic data provider can make their information available in ArcView's supported formats. And the fact that data can be integrated from various sources, projects can be initiated appropriately with data that is available locally or on the Internet.   The price of an ArcView license goes for $ 1,500 for a PC and $ 3,000 for a floating license.  There are also some special prices For municipalities.

ArcView simplifies complex analysis and data management tasks by allowing tasks to be viewed as visual models within a logical workflow. ArcView is easy for non-specialist users to use, and advanced users will be able to take advantage of its specialized tools for mapping, data integration, and spatial analysis. Developers can customize ArcView using languages ​​commonly used in the programming industry. ArcView is an ideal tool for desktop work, among its special features we can mention:

  • Geographic data management for better decision making
  • View and analyze spatial data in new ways
  • Build new collections of geographic data quickly and easily
  • Create maps for high-quality publishing or distribution
  • Manage files, databases and Internet data from a single application
  • Customize the interfaces according to the tasks of the users that need to be integrated into the work.

ArcEditor 9.2

image ArcEditor is a complete system for GIS applications for editing and manipulating geographic data. ArcEditor is part of the ArcGIS package and includes all the functionalities of ArcView and additionally contains some tools to edit information.

ArcEditor has the advantage of supporting both one and multiple users working in collaborative processes. A set of tools expand your capabilities for cleaning and feeding data, as well as handling complex topologies and maintaining versioned data.  The price of an ArcEditor license is $ 7,000.

Some of the functionalities that can be implemented with ArcEditor are:

  • Create and edit GIS attributes with “CAD-style” vector editing tools
  • Build geographic databases rich in intelligent features
  • Complex models, multiuser workflows
  • Construct and maintain spatial integrity including relationships of topologies between geographic attributes
  • Manage and explore geometries in the form of network systems
  • Increase productivity in editing
  • Manage a multi-user design environment with data with versioned modifications
  • Maintain spatial integrity between thematic layers and force a systems customization logic oriented to alert processes in the maintenance and updating of data.
  • Operation with data disconnected, editing in the field and later synchronization.

ArcInfo 9.2

image ArcInfo is considered the most complete geographic information management system (GIS) available from the ESRI line. It includes all the functionality of ArcView and ArcEditor, additionally it also includes advanced geoprocessing components and additional data conversion capabilities. Professional GIS users use ArcInfo for data construction, modeling, analysis and map display both on screen and in print or distribution end products. The price of an ArcInfo license is $ 9,000.

ArcInfo, with its functionalities within the same package (out of box) has the capabilities to create and manage a complex GIS system. This functionality is accessible under an interface considered "easy to use", or at least that can be recognized by its widespread use that has reduced the learning curve as a result of its popularity. These functionalities are customizable and extensible through models, scripting and custom applications.

  • Build complex geoprocessing models for related entities, data analysis and information integration.
  • Implement vector overlays, proximity and static analysis.
  • Generate events along linear attributes and event overlap with attributes of various layers.
  • Convert data to and from various formats.
  • Build complex data and analysis, abstraction, and scripting models to use GIS processes.
  • Post cartographic maps using out-of-the-box deployments, design, print and apply data management techniques.

...update… The initial versions of ArcInfo were based on boundary centroid coverage, similar to Microstation Geographics logic and these were called coverages (an object could share different attributes). Versions 9.2 no longer have that logic, but adapted the shape file concept further.

...update... Although ESRI has the most popular tools on the market, prices are usually a limitation for many to opt for the eye patch :), although it is worth mentioning that being a large company maintains the stability of a technological trend (although it is not the best solution), however that necessary evil ensures a decrease in the learning curve ... aunqeu There are other options.

In the next post we will be analyzing the main Extensions of ArcGIS.

To purchase ESRI products, you can consult Geo Technologies In Central America and Geo Systems .

Golgi Alvarez

Writer, researcher, specialist in Land Management Models. He has participated in the conceptualization and implementation of models such as: National Property Administration System SINAP in Honduras, Management Model of Joint Municipalities in Honduras, Integrated Cadastre-Registry Management Model in Nicaragua, Territory Administration System SAT in Colombia . Editor of the Geofumadas knowledge blog since 2007 and creator of the AulaGEO Academy that includes more than 100 courses on GIS - CAD - BIM - Digital Twins topics.

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15 Comments

  1. How to open a dwg file of Autocad LT in ArcGis 9.2

  2. Angel david, you must contact ESRI and request the license, you have the product number in the original box and you probably registered it after sending an email to ESRI, so it must be registered in your name

  3. If your license is original, when you install, there is an option to install the license manager, that installs the necessary libraries. Either way, I understand that ESRI support should be able to help you with this.

    regards

  4. First of all congratulations for the pagima, I have a question, look I have an arcview 8.3 license, but format the maq. And unfortunately I lost a file that uses the license server, and I do not know how to recover it, it is a floating license for 3 machines and horita as I do not have how to work, I have all the disks of the program, but there is nothing coming, thanks in advance

  5. Nath:
    Well if there are several more things you can do with the other applications.

    If you can cover the training, do not miss the opportunity, but make sure you take a course of what you can become a product and you can acquire the license.

    For purposes of what you do, ArcMap can be more than enough, if what you have is desktop work. Create maps, print them, display them, update them.

    If you already want to manage data for publication on the web, the step is to go to ArcIMS, although for this it deals with computer development and a lot of silver because the licenses are expensive.

    For data capture purposes in the field, with a pocket or PDA and then the download on the PC, the step is to go to ArcPad.

    For purposes of displaying visualizations in 3 dimensions, simulated air flight and those crazy things the step would be to go to ArcGlobe and 3D analysis

    It depends on what you want and can do ... but if they pay you for the courses, don't lose them and if they can buy you licenses, Arc2Earth would be worth it, it is not very expensive and allows you to connect to Google Earth

    all the best

  6. Thanks, if I understand correctly ... The Arc Gis includes within the Arc Reader, Arc Scen, Arc Globe, Arc Catalog and the ARc Map that when I work on it is also named Arc View.
    I am new using the software, however I think I get stuck in the Arc Map, what else can I explore and achieve with the other tools?
    Now I have the opportunity to request some courses but what? I can apply to expand my knowledge. To be more exact work with points of establishments of all my country and what but I can get the juice to these programs?

    thank you

  7. Hola!

    Same is not the best place to ask this, so I am in the hands of the moderator for a better location.

    In ArcGis, when you interpolate and then try to cut it, it loses a lot of resolution, would anyone know how it could be done to keep it looking as good as possible?

    Thank you very much

  8. You do it through the license manager

    From your windows desktop:
    home / programs / ArcGIS / license manager / license manager tools

    then in the panel that is activated, you go to “server status” then choose “list all active licenses” and press the button “perform status enquiry”

    You should list the licenses that are available.

    ... if ArcGIS is not cracked ...

  9. someone knows through a command how to know the number of licenses that an arcgis license server has enabled

  10. What are they for? With those prices to get them pirated haha

  11. ... it will be ESRI's standard ... your standard, your own standard, your proprietary standard ...

    In short, nobody's standard.

    A greeting and thanks for the encouragement, came moments that I wanted to not finish the post

  12. What it must have cost to write a post so long, extensive and detailed about the ESRI family !!!

    By the way, I did not know that ArcPAD accessed "standard" Geodatabases

    Courage, now continue with the Intergraph family, the MapInfo family,…!

    Will there be life outside of proprietary software?

  13. You're right with the prices, if they hit hard. Thanks for clarifying what arcinfo, perhaps very few people realized how ESRI disappeared the original concept of coverages from the initial workstation.

    When I return from my laps I will take a look to make some clarifications.

    all the best

  14. A couple of comments:

    "... this is called scalability that goes from ArcReader, and extends to ArcView, ArcEditor and ArcInfo ..."

    Man, that's funny, scalability is that if you pay you let you use the software with more or less functionality? The difference between ArcGIS Desktop In ArcView mode y In ArcInfo mode in terms of functionalities it is remarkable, but instead the software is the same. It is as if after paying for the car, you had to pay a couple of bonuses to be able to use the air conditioning that the car already has or to be able to use the 5th gear….

    You have to be careful with this naming policy, because ArcInfo 9.2 is NOT the old and powerful Arc / INFO Workstation that was mainly used by console and that used the traditional Arc-Node topology. This ArcInfo is what I said before, the car with the fifth gear Enabled.

    "All of these programs use the geodatabase concept, which is the geographic information base standard used by ArcGIS."

    Standard? This format is closed, without public specifications and that change with each new version. We have the personal geodatabase, the business one, the file-based one (ein?) And above all never backwards compatible: how do you open (I don't say edit, just open !!!) an 8.3 geodatabase in ArcGIS 9, say goodbye to using it again in 8.3 ...

    Anyway, yes, ESRI has the best tools on the market for which it can afford them ... not to mention ESRI's price policy of the most creeping in the face of its integrators, I refer to the tests: there is no Rather than hearing the CEO of ESRI Spain at the round table at IGN that was published on YouTube a few weeks ago, stating with total cheekiness that ESRI adapts its prices to the client and that it is fully entitled, evidently offering prices that companies who live in part from selling and adapting ESRI products they cannot offer, keeping the crumbs from the market. Uis how I turn on with these things….

    A greeting!!!!

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