ESRI, Arc/Info, ArcGIS, ArcView... 25 Years in the making - A Time Line
Written by Glenn Letham
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Of particular interest at this year's International ESRI User Conference was a clever timeline showing the history of ESRI and of their core platform, ArcGIS. It's been more than 25 years since ArcInfo hit the shelves and now with ArcGIS release 9.3 on the horizon the company is showing no sign of slowing down. Check out this timeline starting with the release of Arc/Info 1.0 and ending with ArcGIS 9.3
1981 - Arc/Info R1 released
1983 - Arc/Info R2 released - 17 systems in use including the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources and the University of Maryland
1984 - 40 Arc/Info systems are in use
1985 - Arc/Info 3
1986 - Surpass the 100 seat milestone as 105 systems are in use
1987 - Arc/Info 4
1988 - 1500 systems in use
1989 - Arc/Info 5
1990 - First ESRI Press book released "Understanding GIS The Arc/Info Method"
1991 - Arc/Info 6, 7000+ seats in use
1992 - Arc/Info is 10 years old
1993 - ArcView is released to the World - think "Affordable" desktop GIS
1994 - Arc/Info 7 & ArcView 2
1997 - 100,000 user seats
1999 - Arc/Info 8, Arc/Info workstation, and ArcView 3.2 (Everyone remembers AV 3.2, some of you are still using it!)
2002 - Arc/Info 8.2 & ArcGIS 8.2
2004 - ArcGIS Desktop 9 is announced
2005 - ArcGIS desktop 9.1
2006 - ArcGIS desktop 9.2 - over 100 person years of development
2007 - ArcGIS desktop 9.3 prepared to launch
ArcGIS 9.3 is expected to be released late 2007 as a series of incremental service patches with a full, major release in 2008. Some of the functionality enhancements expected in ArcGIS 9.3 include:
better algorithms to conduct and improve geographic science
rich error messaging
huge improvements in mapping and labeling
WYSYWIG graphic editing
loads of geologic labeling options
support for multiple view windows
textures for buildings
faster import of web services
tracking in 3D
schematic diagramming and new diagram types (ie. electrical)
new mapping center website (via EDN) resource downloads, models, style fills, map gallery, a blog, more - see http://mappingcenter.esri.com
At 9.3 ArcGIS Server brings new javascript APIs - combine your organization's GIS content hosted on ArcGIS Server withg content from Virtual Earth, Google Maps, ArcGIS Online - powered by backend ArcGIS SErver REST services
much more!
It all started 25+ years ago with ArcGIS 1.0 and the hiring of Scott Moorehouse
ArcGIS 9 has evolved into an industry standard for enterprise GIS and a geospatial platform for webmapping services.
See more threads and details about Glenn's AnyGeo Weblog HERE The Editor (Glenn) started the AnyGeo blog some time ago and the threads are now also mirrored here at GISuser.com - RSS feed is available to add to your favorite news reader.
Featured Events
GITA 17th Annual GIS for Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, set for Sept. 21-24, 2008 - The conference is the only event of its kind, devoted exclusively to geospatial applications and technologies for all aspects of the oil and gas industry.
GeoInt 2008 - Join us for the 5-year anniversary of the GEOINT SYMPOSIUM October 27-30 in Nashville, Tenn., where you'll have an unparalleled opportunity to learn, network and discover as we discuss the importance of being Mission Focused while Transitioning to the Future.
ASPRS Potomac Region GeoTech Conference - Geotech 2008 theme of "Emerging Geospatial Technologies and Applications." Technical session topics will include new data acquisition, distribution, and application technologies, each featuring presentations by well-known experts. 7&8 October in Silver Spring, MD
GITA's First Annual GIS for Oil & Gas Conference - The GIS for Oil & Gas Calgary Conference will build on the momentum from GITA’s GIS for Oil & Gas Conference held in Houston, Texas, every September. Nov. 6-7, 2008, Calgary Marriott Hotel, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Community 
ArcGIS 9.3 is expected to be released late 2007 as a series of incremental service patches with a full, major release in 2008. Some of the functionality enhancements expected in ArcGIS 9.3 include:
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