ArcGIS Server adheres to IT standards, providing maximum interoperability and compatibility with enterprise architectures using any of a variety of popular programming languages, development environments, commercial application servers, and database management systems (DBMSs). Key standards, such as Java, .NET, and Extensible Markup Language (XML)/Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) for messaging and data transfer over Web (HTTP) network connections can be used to build local and wide area network enterprise applications. Such standards offer a rich environment with maximum flexibility for communicating with the organization's heterogeneous operational applications and information assets, thus fostering the implementation of true enterprise applications.

According to David Sonnen, senior consultant for spatial information management with IDC, the market intelligence and advisory company (Framingham, Massachusetts), "ArcGIS Server exposes the full depth of Esri's geoprocessing capabilities using open, standards-based application program interfaces (APIs). This standards-based approach allows ArcGIS Server to provide geospatial capabilities to a wide range of distributed users. We believe that ArcGIS Server represents a significant technological step toward the broad use of geospatial technology within enterprise information systems."

ArcGIS Server supplements Esri's existing stack of GIS enabling technology consisting of ArcSDE, ArcIMS, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Engine. ArcSDE provides the enabling infrastructure necessary to manage multiple users editing the geometry of the same spatial database with long transactions, alternate versions, and history. ArcIMS is a cost-effective solution for Internet spatial data visualization, providing exceptional performance for high-volume map requests, as well as metadata search and management services. ArcGIS Desktop (ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo) is used to create and edit spatial data, provide out-of-the-box spatial data exploration and analysis capabilities, and manage the administrative services of ArcGIS Server. ArcGIS Engine is used to build custom desktop applications that can operate as stand-alone applications or as ArcGIS Server clients. The underlying architecture for the entire platform is an open development environment known as ArcObjects (see "ArcGIS 9 Is the Development Platform for Building GIS Systems").

Unlike ArcView, which is an end user application, ArcGIS Server is for developers who want to build shared server applications that contain advanced GIS capabilities in both a Web services and client/server environment. For example, an organization can use ArcGIS Server to deliver highly focused GIS applications (e.g., mapping, geocoding, analysis) to end users who do not have a desktop GIS. These advanced GIS capabilities are similar to what a user would perform within a desktop application, yet can be provided effectively and efficiently over the Web.

GIS technology is being incorporated into the IT infrastructure because of its proven ability to improve operational efficiency and decision making within an organization. Members of the IT staff will take investments already made in spatial data and develop new applications that cut across the organization and are available to anyone in the enterprise. Sharing spatial information between and among departments will become commonplace, like the sharing of financial or other tabular data today in an ERP system. In the next few years, server-centric GIS will emerge as a significant complement or, in some cases, an alternative to desktop systems. ArcGIS Server represents a significant milestone in Esri's software development strategy that will further integrate GIS within the larger IT environment so that the benefits of spatially enabled information can be shared with a greater number of people at a lower total cost of ownership.

The standards-based approach makes ArcGIS Server ideal for providing GIS capabilities to a wide range of distributed users. In addition, the lower cost of ownership and scalability means that organizations can create compelling business cases that demonstrate a tangible return on investment. As a result, we expect numerous organizations new to GIS to build systems based on this architecture and many existing GIS organizations to leverage their existing systems with a GIS enterprise application server. ArcGIS Server is a new product that will become available at version 9.

For more information, download the white paper from www.esri.com/arcgisserver.