With more than 20 percent of Esri's revenues going into research and development per year, 2007 featured numerous product announcements.

ArcGIS Explorer became publicly available as a free download in 2007. The software allows much more than a simple map view. It can display a variety of free, ready-to-use globes hosted by Esri that can be used with other Web services or the user's own local data to create custom maps. ArcGIS Explorer also provides the power of geoprocessing and GIS analytical capabilities.

A growing focus on online GIS prompted the development of ArcGIS Online, a comprehensive collection of ready-to-use basemaps, reference layers, and imagery services that can be accessed via the Web and used directly in ArcGIS Desktop, including ArcGIS Explorer. Another online product is Business Analyst Online, which provides on-demand analysis to identify new sites or evaluate the competition. It also includes interactive features, such as live thematic mapping, and allows the generation of boardroom-ready reports and maps based on demographic, consumer spending, and business data.

Other business-related products include ArcGIS Business Analyst Server, which combines GIS server technology with a comprehensive data package to provide users with a complete business geointelligence solution, and ArcGIS Business Analyst 9.2 that now includes the Territory Design Module, a complete territory management application, and a new address geocoder to create store and customer points. Organizations can now more accurately identify their most profitable customer and prospect types, including where they live, what products and services they buy, and which marketing methods they are most likely to respond to.

The ArcGIS Data Appliance is a plug-and-play device that provides terabytes of prerendered U.S. nationwide and worldwide data for hosting on ArcGIS Server. This allows the leveraging of existing data and the publishing of online services quickly and without having to process or prepare large and varied datasets. Another new component for ArcGIS Server is the Job Tracking for ArcGIS Server extension. This product helps organizations allocate staffing resources and track the status and progress of jobs from beginning to end.

The suite of software provided by the subscription-based Esri Developer Network (EDN) added ArcInfo and ArcEditor options to its software offerings, as well as ArcGIS Image Server.

The release of ArcGIS for AutoCAD gives users a simple and easy-to-use tool to gain access to GIS information and the results of GIS analysis. This free, downloadable application provides access to ArcGIS Server map services and allows AutoCAD users to view and query GIS data from within the AutoCAD 2007 and 2008 environments without transforming their CAD drawings or converting GIS data.

New parcel editing tools in ArcGIS Survey Analyst 9.2 include Cadastral Editor, a new workflow to help improve data accuracy.

Collecting field data quickly and easily is a critical part of building and maintaining a GIS, and ArcPad 7.1 and ArcPad Application Builder 7.1 are key elements of the ArcGIS product suite.

Esri's 2007/2012 demographic data provides accurate, up-to-date information about the U.S. population, including households by type and relationship, housing units, occupancy, income levels, age, and race. Esri's Data Development Group performs annual data updates employing a unique method of geodemographic analysis that incorporates new data sources and methods to ensure a high level of accuracy.

Census Tools for ArcGIS is a free add-on that supports governments participating in the Local Update of Census Addresses and Boundary and Annexation Survey programs for the 2010 Census. State, local, and tribal governments involved in these programs will be able to use the downloads to share their local knowledge to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the 2010 Census. This will, in turn, enhance census-related decisions, such as apportioning seats in Congress and allocating federal monies to local communities, so that local governments will be able to help ensure accurate data updates and proper community representation.

Launched in July 2007, Esri's new Mapping Center Web site helps users learn about cartographic concepts and best practices for mapmaking with ArcGIS. Designed to provide quick answers to mapmaking problems, site visitors can find information and sample maps displaying a wide variety of cartographic techniques and effects along with tips and instructions on how to create the featured effects on their own maps. For more information, visit www.esri.com/mappingcenter.

Production Line Tool Set (PLTS) for ArcGIS—Nautical Solution 9.2 offers users a database-centric approach to produce and maintain high-quality data for analysis and chart production, making it easier to meet nautical specifications. New features include full hard-copy charting support; enterprise data management capabilities; and improvements in enterprise publishing, visualization, and analysis capabilities, making workflow and data processing more streamlined.

The latest version of ArcIMS Route Server, the routing extension to ArcIMS, improves routing by providing time-based restrictions, trip planning capabilities, and support for pedestrian routing.

More Information

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

Also read "Esri—A Review of 2007."