At ArcGIS 9.3, the geodatabase offers improved spatial data management and enhanced capabilities for integration with enterprise systems. ArcGIS 9.3 geodatabase enhancements include

• Raster data management—New geoprocessing tools make the transfer of unmanaged raster catalogs (in Microsoft Access personal geodatabases and file geodatabases) from one location to another much easier.
• Direct-connect backward compatibility—ArcGIS 9.3 clients can make direct connections to enterprise geodatabases that predate ArcGIS 9.3 (e.g., 9.2, 9.1, and 9.0). Backward compatibility will allow for easier implementation of phased migration strategies for new ArcGIS releases.
• Geodatabase replication—Microsoft Access personal geodatabases and file geodatabases can participate in one-way replication as child geodatabases. More detailed logging of geodatabase replication activity will also be available.
• Versioned editing—Two new features improve the versioned editing user experience. The Merge Geometries option will enhance conflict and reconcile management. The Version Changes Viewer tool allows a version to be compared with an ancestor version without performing a reconcile operation.
• Support for PostgreSQL (Open Source DBMS)—Enterprise geodatabases can now be implemented on PostgreSQL with full support of the geodatabase data model. Vector data can be stored in either the Esri for PostgreSQL spatial type or the PostGIS (Open Source) spatial type.
• Support for SQL Server 2008—ArcGIS 9.3 will support the two new spatial types available in Microsoft SQL Server 2008. An enterprise geodatabase implemented on SQL Server 2008 will be able to store vector geometry in either the Geography or Geometry spatial types. Full certification will occur in a 9.3 service pack (dependent on the final release of SQL Server 2008).
• New 64-bit platform support—Enterprise ArcSDE technology will be available as a native 64-bit application for Windows and Linux in a 9.3 service pack.

More Information

For more information, visit www.esri.com/geodatabase.