Looking for easy to use GIS software - please advise

BobChristensen · ‎06-15-2010

Hi,

I provide GIS support to a number of conservation organizations. Some of the work involves spatial analysis but a lot is simply map creation with minor shapefile editing and symbology tweaking. I am looking for software that is as easy to use as ArcGIS Explorer that allows shapefile editing and symbology tweaking so that under some circumstances I can simply provide the organization with basic data and they can create and do minor map editing at their leisure.

I just tried MapSource and MapWindow GIS and sadly those solutions look a bit too complicated for most of my colleagues. I really appreciate the ease of use of ArcGIS Explorer, ArcReader and Google Earth but none of these options allow for data editing or much in the way of symbology options. GE Pro comes pretty close but I am hoping the folks here can suggest other options.

Thanks,

Bob

MichaelBranscomb · ‎06-16-2010

Bob,

I'm not sure you were looking for a reply from ESRI but I thought I would try to help...

Users of ArcGIS Explorer can create Notes (points, lines, polygons) and set symbology for these Notes, albeit the symbology is limited compared to our Desktop GIS product. In the next release of ArcGIS Explorer due out this summer we are going to help users share these Notes with other users (Explorer users and ArcGIS Desktop users) and via ArcGIS.com. I can't say much more than that on new functionality.

For the current 1200 release a couple of users/developers have already used the free Software Developer Kit to write "Add-Ins" which export Notes to Shapefiles - see http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=16759 for an example. Another example imports Notes from Explorer into ArcGIS Desktop (i.e. runs inside ArcGIS Desktop) - http://resources.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/dotnet/index.cfm?fa=codeGallery&authorID=melvanderwal. Neitrher are necessarily the ideal workflow... but if it will help you use ArcGIS Explorer 1200 in the interim until 1500 and ArcGIS 10.0 / ArcGIS.com provide you with more options then it could be an avenue to explore.

Lastly I would say it's worth thinking about the Application Configurations and "Add-Ins" for ArcGIS Explorer which allow to easily create a tailored experience (e.g. custom splash screen, your choice of toolbars, custom tools, custom logo, etc) for your users - see the doc for more info: http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisexplorer/1200/en/application_add_functionality.htm.

Good luck and hopefully we can help you get the most from ArcGIS Explorer.

Regards

Mike

JeffBailey · ‎06-18-2010

Hi,
There are many users of ArcPad on a desktop. The latest release, ArcPad 10.0 has a much more friendly welcome as the product has many entry level GIS users. The US 2010 national property Census used ArcPad (150,000 Collectors) very successfully!

MichaelBranscomb · ‎06-24-2010

Jeff,

Thanks - ArcPad is another product to consider...

Bob - there are some great case studies at: http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcpad/success-stories.html. There is also a 20 minute free evaluation (20 mins at a time - can be restarted to continue the evaluation) available at http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcpad/download.html.

Regards

Mike