ArcInfo is the most complete GIS.
It is the de facto standard for GIS professionals. ArcInfo includes all the functionality of ArcEditor, ArcView, and ArcReader and adds advanced spatial analysis, extensive data manipulation, and high-end cartography tools.
ArcInfo provides all the tools to build and manage a complete, intelligent GIS including maps and globes, data, metadata, geodatasets, and workflow models. This functionality is accessible via an easy-to-use interface that is customizable and extensible through models, scripting, and applications.
Key Features
Advanced Spatial Analysis
Automate analysis, data conversion, data management, and entire workflows.
Work with any feature data including coverage data.
Perform advanced feature manipulation and processing.
Select from hundreds of geoprocessing tools to perform advanced GIS data analysis and modeling.
Perform overlay analysis including Union, Intersect, and Erase.
Perform proximity analysis including Buffer, Near, and Point Distance.
Perform surface analysis including Aspect, Hillshade, and Slope.
Perform raster processing and conversion.
Extensive Database Management
Create and manage databases, define database schemas, and administer the integrity of databases.
Create personal geodatabases, multiuser geodatabases, and feature datasets.
Improve geodatabase performance using tools such as Compact and Compress.
Manage geodatabase tables and feature classes by analyzing tables, setting privileges, creating indexes, and creating a pivot table.
Add, remove, and calculate fields.
Create geodatabase topology using a series of data management operations within a workflow model or script.
Manage feature geometry based on characteristics such as explode multipart features, split lines at vertices, extend lines, and more.
Convert polygon features to line features and generalize features with tools such as Simplify and Smooth.
Apply spatial analysis functions to transfer data into and out of databases.
Create spatial data with tools for setting an appropriate spatial reference as well as other parameters such as topology cluster tolerance.
Publish data in many formats.
Join adjacent datasets.
Perform batch processes on your databases.
Perform advanced data translation and creation.
Convert data types such as CAD, raster, dBASE, and coverage formats.
High-End Cartography
Easily create professional-quality, publication-ready maps with simple wizards, predefined map templates, an extensive suite of map elements, and advanced drawing and symbolization tools.
Apply cartographic text and labeling for atlaslike, publication-quality maps.
Automate many aspects of cartography.
Save, print, export, and embed your maps in other documents or applications.
Use generalization tools to make your data less detailed and less complex so it can be analyzed and represented at reduced scales.
Mask out features behind annotations (this is particularly useful for annotation along features such as contour lines).
Project data on the fly to support various map outputs.
Design customized symbols, thematic categories, and style sheets for your map products.
Create map elements such as north arrows, map surrounds, and graticules for use in designing specialized map series.
Use the functionality of the Maplex for ArcGIS extension (included with ArcInfo) for sophisticated annotation and label placement.
Data Editing and Productivity Tools
Use a complete set of tools to create, edit, and ensure the quality of the data.
Perform simple data input and cleanup as well as sophisticated design and versioning.
Edit a multiuser geodatabase.
Disconnect from the database and edit in the field.
Perform advanced manipulation of geographic data to help automate the editing workflow with advanced COGO editing tools, construction tools, and conflict detection and resolution tools.
Speed up data maintenance and automation with CAD-like editing and productivity tools.
Design new work plans and work orders to share across the enterprise as well as store stages of a workflow process.
Store individual stages of a workflow process in your database.
Store different views of map layers that represent possible what-if scenarios without affecting the layers as they are actually built.
Allow multiple users to simultaneously modify the same data without interfering with each other, taking the data offline, or creating multiple copies of your data.
Undo or redo changes made to the database, monitor how the database has evolved over time, and evaluate multiple what-if scenarios.
Edit in the field with disconnected editing.
Support multiple workflows with advanced long transactions.
Manage alternative engineering designs.
Manage work order processing (e.g., proposed to approved to as-built).
View map symbology and labeling demo: Windows Media[01:34]
Spatial Analysis
Analyze spatial data and derive answers from data of a location-dependent nature.
Visually model and spatially analyze a process or workflow.
Use a geoprocessing framework that includes ready-to-use analysis tools as well as the ability to build process models, scripts, and complete workflows.
Data Use and Integration
Create and manage geographic data, tabular data, and metadata.
Use a wide variety of data types including demographics, facilities, CAD drawings, imagery, Web services, and multimedia.
Directly read or import more than 70 different formats in ArcView.
View tabular data creation and integration demo: Windows Media[06:03]
View Web data integration demo: Windows Media[06:30]
Ready-to-Use Datasets
Begin your visualization and analysis right away with the included ESRI Data & Maps Media Kit, which is updated annually and preconfigured to work specifically with ESRI software. The ESRI Data & Maps Media Kit contains more than 24 GB of data including
Basemap and thematic MXDs for Canada, Europe, Mexico, the United States, and the world
Commercial data from Tele Atlas, AND Mapping, DMTI Spatial, WorldSat, EarthSat, EuroGeographics, Michael Bauer Research, World Wildlife Fund, SIGSA, and ESRI
ArcGIS Online includes optimized, ready-to-use content and capabilities such as 2D maps, 3D globes, and reference layers. ArcGIS Online services are always available on the Web so that users with Internet access can use these services at any time.
GIS Deployment
View, navigate, and print published ArcGIS maps using ArcReader (.pmf files).
Deploy your GIS data—share and deliver interactive maps based on dynamic content.
Offer novices and professionals alike a way to view and query your published maps.
Map Viewing and Navigation
Perform basic map navigation such as zooming and panning and switching between map and page layout view.
Communicate more efficiently with the ability to graphically mark up maps.
Utilize ArcWeb Services in ArcReader including route, nearby place, and address finding.
Data Query and Exploration
Use ArcReader tools such as Find and Identify to explore a variety of geographic data including raster and vector data.
Use tools such as Identify, Find, Measure, Hyperlink, and Magnifier Window to discover information not available when working with static paper maps.
Map Printing
Print published map documents and published globe documents including all layer symbology and cartographic map elements on any supported printer.
Configurable and Customizable
Using the ArcGIS Publisher wizard, you can control the appearance of the ArcReader application when it opens a map.
Create custom ArcReader applications or embed ArcReader capabilities into existing applications using the ArcGIS Publisher developer controls. See the PublisherControls Library Overview on the EDN Web site.
ArcInfo is the most complete GIS. 
