ESRI UC session - A Look at ArcPad 7+ and ESRI's mobile GIS strategy
Written by Glenn Letham (GISuser editor)
13 August 2006
ArcPad 7 and the road ahead to 7.1. Featured at the ESRI user conference, here's a look at the ArcPAd timeline as well as an introduction to the new features you'll find in 7.0 and a glimpse of what's coming next year.
ArcPad 7 timeline – recall 7 was released at end of last year with added support for range finders and digital cameras as well as many other major enhancements. SP1 was released in May 5, 2006 (added fix for Trimble’s GPS correct 2.0. 7.0.1 is planned for release shortly after the User Conference (Aug 2006). ArcPad 7.1 target release date Q2, 2007 Recall GeoCollector was announced about 2 weeks ago (July 2006) – it’s a professional mobile GIS/GPS solution bundling Trimble GeoExplorer pro GPS handheld pre-loaded with ArcPad 7 SP1along with Trimble’s GPSCorrect 2.0 – alos includes a license of GPS Analyst extension for ArcGIS desktop
What is ArcPad 7?
Part of ESRI’s overall mobile strategy, ArcPAd is a mobile GIS application for field mapping applications.
Allows input from GPS receivers, range finders, digital cameras and other devices.
Includes out-of-box display functionality enabling data editing and analysis as well as support for extensive customization –extending the Geodatabase to the field.
About the GeoCollector bundle... The GeoCollector solution includes an ultrarugged handheld computer with integrated GPS receiver from the current Trimble GeoExplorer series and ESRI’s ArcPad, delivering hassle-free field collection and seamless data integration with ArcGIS. To meet the full range of field data collection requirements, the device is available in three accuracy options: subfoot, submeter, and one- to three-meter. The GeoCollector series also includes Trimble’s GPScorrect for ArcPad, which collects and manages the GPS data necessary for differential correction during data collection. In addition, Trimble’s GPS Analyst for ArcGIS Desktop is available as an add-on to enable the direct transfer of data from GeoCollector and to perform differential correction inside ArcGIS Desktop. See more at http://www.lbszone.com/content/view/1164/2/ or www.esri.com/geocollector
Enhancements for ArcPad 7
- improved performance - enhanced editing (snap, undo, repeat, segemented lines) - camera and rangefinder support - improved symbology and labeling - support for graphics layer (for redlining) - import/export tools for ArcGIS - customization with new wizards for creating forms - no programin required (nice!) stay tuned for more
More on ArcPad 7, 7.0.1, and 7.1
Recall that 7.0.1 will be available very soon and 7.1 is coming next year. What’s new in 7.0.1? Most noteworthy are signifigant performance gains (Trimble users will really appreciate this with start-up time shrunk from as much as 2 minutes down to 20 seconds!) - you'll also find usability enhancements and quality improvements.
Currently there are 14 languages supported. 7.0.1 has 2 more languages added including Korean. Tip - getting data out of ArcGIS -- use the “get data for ArcPad 7” tool within ArcGIS, select data, export, and extract data to a specified folder for subsequent use in ArcPad (SHP files) – will convert any data format and any projection.
So what data can you move for use in ArcPad? Shapefiles, rasters, symbologies, ArcGIS graphic layers and styles.
Preparing your Data for ArcPad
create new SHP files within ArcPad
note: add custom input forms using Quickform tool - use existing SHP files and create forms using QuickForm tool
extract data from the Geodatabase (checkout only necessary data)
for faster performance suggest you use SHP file indexes and use scale dependent symbology and labeling Query data in ArcPad
indentify by attrs
hyperlink to external files (photo, video)
locate features by coordinates
find by attribute query
locate via measuring distance Data Capture and Editing
capture point, line, polygon, text
create geometry
add attributes Using a GPS in ArcPad
view GPS position window
set GPS preferences to control the incoming GPS input
Using other capture devices - use rangefinders to take offset measurements (range, bearing, inclination, etc…) - use digital camera to capture and associate images with features or photo layers. View photos with the identify and hyperlink tools. - A number of supported offset methods are available for those collecting data in hard to reach environments (supports simple offset, 2 point offset, and traverses)
At version 7, ArcPad is much more useful than what we saw a couplle of years ago (ala version 6) and this application is very simple to use. Users can easily demo ArcPad for free (see the esri website) and give it a test run for yourself.
Coming at 7.1
- maximize screen real estate
- toolbars
– floating, docked, more configuration options, one touch hide/show
- related tables (highly anticipated) 1 to many relationships, database rules supported in data rather than forms
- easier to create forms
- object model enhancements to support relationships
Top iPhone related GIS and Geo Tech news stories from 2009 - At the end of the year its always interesting for us to look at some of the stats and results to identify trends and more important, to see what our readers think is hot! In the "news" category it seems that iPhone related geo tech items were extremely popular.
10 Awesome GIS and Mapping apps for the iPhone - I recall last year at the ESRI UC when an iPhone was on stage showing a prototype app (think ArcPad on iPhone). It was then that I realized the iPhone platform is going to be BIG in mapping and there's a ton of opportunity for developers.
Nokia Booklet 3G, unboxing video and image gallery... Those of you in the USA who pop in to BestBuy occasionally, you may have seen a stand showing off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A sleek, 3G enabled, SIM slot (AT&T) sporting netbook.
Interesting Tweeple - 10 Geo Technology & Geo-Social Women of Twitter - given the growing love for geospatial and location-aware technologies, I’ve decided to hype 10 women that I feel make a significant contribution to the Geo-Twittersphere. If you’d like to add 10 knowledgeable and useful Twitter contacts to your Geo following list I highly suggest the following: (in no particular order)
10 Geo Social Location-Aware Apps Making Waves... With Twitter's opening of their location API to developers there's going to be a ton of third party apps that will enable Twitter users to share location-aware information via their Twitter accounts.
Signs that indicate you may be a GeoGeek (aka. GeoNerd) and some suggested Geo blogs - Chances are good that if you are a Geo Geek then you already know it and likely refer to yourself as one. However, there’s many of you out there that may be on the fence and wondering… “am I a Geo Geek?" Read on for a comprehensive list of signs you might be a GeoGeek followed up by some suggested Geoblog reading.
Real-time GPS Mapping and GIS Solution Aids Efficient Disaster Management - Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the State of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C (110-120 deg F), breaking all-time record highs in some cities - Victoria Police Use Trimble Juno SC Handhelds to Speed Assessment of Damage Caused by Bush Fires.
10 Ways Your Tech Business Can Take Advantage of Twitter - Many companies and individuals are still asking themselves how can I use Twitter in my business? The following is a small sampling of some of the ways that your technology business can use Twitter to your advantage.
2010 ESRI Federal User Conference February 17-19, 2010, Washington D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center - The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference for federal agencies. Connect with other leaders, decision makers, and GIS professionals.
The International LiDAR Mapping Forum 2010 - Tenth Anniversary Event! ILMF 2010 will be held from March 3 - 5, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region. Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
WHERE2.0 2010 - Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For 15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
ArcPad 7 and the road ahead to 7.1. Featured at the ESRI user conference, here's a look at the ArcPAd timeline as well as an introduction to the new features you'll find in 7.0 and a glimpse of what's coming next year.
See more 
