Recall that ArcGIS 9.1 began shipping in May 2005. Here at the user conference the buzz is about the next release – ArcGIS 9.2. Tentative release dates are as follows:

ArcGIS 9.2 Beta - Oct, 2005
Q3, 2005 – ArcGIS 9.1 SP1
Q4, 2005 – ArcGIS 9.1 SP2
Mid 2006 – ArcGIS 9.2

The vision and direction for 9.2 is to build on the success of ArcGIS 9.1. Users will see enhancements that target quality, usability, and performance. Key areas focused on include cartography, visualization, spatial analysis, and modeling.

Product updates you can expect to see:

ArcReader – Improvements to mapping and visibility, new cartographic editing and finishing, geoprocessing tools, more support for temporal analysis, and better documentation.

With Arc Reader & Publisher users will be greeted with a number of enhancements including:
- support for map markups (redlining)
- tighter ArcWeb Services integration
- full screen mode
- dynamic map titles
- new Globe tools
- a slick find XY tool (aka “goto X,Y)
- ArcReader Globe control

Arc Publisher will see a new publisher data package as well as support for new data formats. Measurement tool enhancements and improved layer effects will also be found. Particularly exciting is the enhanced support to publish and serve 3D data to Arc Reader… this means users of the free ArcReader will be able to access and view 3D data and fly around or view on a Globe surface.

Improvements to ArcMap Usability

A number of visualization and cartographic enhancements will be found at 9.2. Cartographic editing and finishing tools are there to support the creation of high-quality finished map products and layouts. Usability improvements for labeling in ArcMap and ArcGlobe will also make the cartographers life a bit easier.

Other key areas focused on regarding usability include:
- more productive mapping and visualization
- improved map layout navigation
- enhanced labeling
- new layer controls
- enhanced scale settings
- numerous ArcReader enhancements
- Much better Table UI including support for direct print (applause!), calculate area/perimeter, long field name support, and direct read of MS Excel files (woohoo!)
- Finding places and locations will be a snap with an enhanced Find Places Tool and access to an online web service for finding places

Numerous CAD usability improvements will be found at 9.2. Most notably, a new CAD layer organization scheme, expanded attribute support (supporting all entity types and attributes), improved transform and save out, superior feature rendering, and more/better documentation.

Those struggling with editing their projects will find a bundle of improvements and additions at 9.2:
- new feature construction tools
- improved map navigation
- user friendly naming support
- enhanced geoprocessing tools
- looping and batch-processing support
- raster attribute tables
- large dataset handling

Something I noticed in most demos seen was the simple access to much more functionality within pretty much every operation via right-click. Right-clicking objects, file names, features, attribute fields, or what have you will reveal additional functionality and related tools that are likely of use in your job. This is a great time saver.

These are just some of the goodies that users of ArcGIS will find at release 9.2. For more information be sure to consult http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/index.html. Newbies to ArcGIS should make a point of getting started with the free Arc Reader prior to making the leap and jumping in with both feet directly with ArcGIS http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcreader/index.html