Even though ArcGIS 9.3 was only shipped several weeks ago (hopefully you’ve unwrapped the box by now!) we were treated to a session that introduced us to ArcGIS 9.4 and what will/may come.
- Service packs are scheduled and planned for about 4 times per year. Fixes are driven by tech support… from ESRI “tell us about it - SP1 for 9.3, tentatively coming in Q4 - SP2 Q1 2009, take note as sometimes new functionality is provided within service pack releases.
9.4 Focus - update and expand ArcGIS, make it easier, more flexible, more powerful - simplify, streamline, share - 9.4 is just starting. The vision is set, the details are not. We should, however, expect, new workflows, new science, and more focus on expanding GIS across the web.
Search has fundamentally changed how people categorize and organize information – patterns of use though have not changed.. Ind. Uses, teams of workgroups, enterp. Orgs, web dissemination, web gis.
ESRI's Rob Elkins on ArcGIS 9.4 - simplify, streamline, share
The value is realized when you share your work... sharing in a number of ways. ESRI has modernized the app to make it easier to use. The company realizes that many people have complex work - the goal is to simplify things for the users.
New features and improvements at 9.4
Maximizing the mapping workspace. Limited redraws and new window styles. Improved icons.
Improved viewing of 2D data: Fast draw of maps Dynamic pans Remove unnecessary redraws Fast search Improves in animation Chart and graph enhancements KML layers in 2D
3D virtual city support enhanced chart and graphing
Editing in ArcMap: Layer based editing Efficient graphical tools for making features Simple sketching New snapping model Improved attr editing
3D feature editing: Supported in ArcGlobe and ArcScene
ArcCatalog is the admin tool for managing the databases and services. Redundancies will be eliminated. Improved search will augment browsing experience when looking for data. Enhanced Metadata editing
Improvements to the Geodatabase: Faster data browsing and search Personal Geodb upgraded to access 2007 Improved sql query functionality. Enable users to create and populate geodatabases corresponding to earlier releases (Save As)
Symbol searching and management Better Attribute presentation on maps Cartographic optimization and generalization BetterText placement and layers
Geoprocessing improvements: Finding tools (several hundred tools) Sharing tools and toolboxes Filling in through inputs Results automatically added to maps as a layer, data stored in maps workspace Tool execution off loaded to a job server (optionally)
A common framework and user experience for publish and share: Author and direct share from ArcMap to prepare, send, publish Simple to explore find and use other’s data. Faster installs, rollback and uninstall SP ability Automatic updates and notices of patches - auto download and configurable Easier to work with dynamic data
Desktop is the driver for the 9.4 release - Simplify, streamline, share This update will take a fresh new holistic look at things. A culmination of the efforts of some 30 teams.
Server at 9.4 (from Ismael Chivite, ArcGIS sever product manager)
Server 9.4 will be an incremental release - its about optimizing the server product with a Focus on quality.
Recall, the new Beta Flex API just released - see http://resources.esri.com/arcgisserver/apis/flex/. Interesting that FLEX books are typically found in the web design section of the bookstore, not the programming section!
The new optimization toolbar Ovehaul of the rendering engine to facilitate higher quality maps on the web dynamic map services will be much faster… faster map caching, and faster dynamic maps. More documentation of architecture of the ArcGIS Sever will be provided.
A new editing experience, based on templates and will be consistant across all ArcGIS clients.
Coming in ArcGIS mobile - Improve the mobile SDK, open the app framework for developers
Remember ArcGIS Online (source: Rob Shanks, ESRI)
Providing the ability for users to deploy web-based GIS Making GIS data discoverable from anywhere is a key focus. See ArcGIS online fo common framework for building your application on. http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgisonline-services/index.html Templates adhering to standards and metadata - more templates are coming for creating new services.
New base maps: Flood zones hydro Soils Geology Demo Retail Eal estate Resource mgmt Climate and weather Traffic Health Historical Bathymetry Industry solution content bundles based on customer’s needs.
Locator sevices for geocoding, routing and place finding AcGIS online is becoming a foundation for building online GIS, provided as software+sevices
ArcGIS Explorer.. expanding GIS for everyone On its own release cycle – currently at 480. Look for 500 (this month, and 600 coming?? Likely Q1 09. Recall support for using virtual earth as a base layer will be provided. At 600 a new UI for working in 2d or 3d. A more intuitive experience
Finally, at R 9.4 media for all solutions will be DVD only
Esri devMeetUps - locate a developer meetup taking place in a city near you
ERDAS Webinars - Register for a free, online webinar from ERDAS
ILMF 2012 - International LiDAR Mapping Forum, Denver, Colorado, Jan 23-25, 2012
Esri Dev Summit - The Esri Developer Summit (DevSummit) brings together developers and GIS professionals from all over the globe. March 26-29, 2012, Palm Springs, CA
Where2.0 - where the people working on and using location technologies come together to explore best practices and emerging trends in software development, tools, business strategies, and marketing. April 2-4, 20112, San Francisco, CA
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