maps and C O V the R data.TorO can level or or allowtoaccess E individualThey R I E Schoose15 S group restrict at share their work with anyone. Next-Generation Geobrowser The recently released version of ArcGIS Explorer represents the new standard in geobrowser technology. It has incorporated many new features and capabilities, including a more intuitive user experience, integrated 2D and 3D map display, enhanced data support, integration with ArcGIS Online, easy customization, and a software developer kit. ArcGIS Explorer is a free and exciting desktop client that can be used to view and mash up virtually any geospatial service, as well as integrate local and enterprise GIS datasets. The latest version of ArcGIS Explorer offers a whole new way to understand the world around us and make informed decisions. Platform Evolution Today, GIS is being implemented in many different patterns. The desktop pattern is perhaps the most pervasive. Server and enterprise implementations are especially useful in the area of managing organizations, and we see a plethora of new client types, such as rich Internet clients and mobile clients. All these patterns are flourishing and growing, influenced by advances in the technology, faster machines, increased bandwidth, more storage, and the emerging cloud-computing resources that can be leveraged and integrated into applications. Today, all these patterns are also integrated with the Web. The Web is linking us and tying our geographic knowledge creation and services into a larger network or infrastructure. GIS servers are playing an increasing role in this evolution. They’re powering the enterprise and thousands of types of geospatial Web applications—fast maps, the publishing of globes on the Web, and the connecting of mobile workers. They are also supporting mashups and enterprise integration and integrating GIS into other parts of the IT infrastructure. The server is emerging as the foundation for creating spatial data infrastructure with multiple sources of data, services, and applications. The server is also the GIS platform for cloud computing. The Web as a GIS Platform— Emerging Rapidly In Esri’s lifetime, we’ve witnessed the rise of many platforms, including mainframes, minicomputers, workstations, PCs, and client-server computing—lots of waves of change—and every time, we have morphed our technology to take advantage of the latest platform. We’re now at the dawn of a new era: the era of Web GIS. The Web is a strong platform for GIS. Web GIS is about serving, integrating, and distributing geographic knowledge—your work—and making it available everywhere. As GIS professionals, you are building the content that drives the GeoWeb. You’re building the data—authoritative data, not just casual data. You’re building high-quality maps, visualizations, and spatial analysis models. You have the geographic knowledge, and you have the skills needed to describe it and share it and build rich applications. In this environment, you are beginning to leverage all that content and knowledge for many new kinds of users. Citizens, knowledge workers, field-workers, industry experts, executives—actually, everyone—can now gain access to your geographic knowledge and leverage it in their own domain. The technologies fueling this growth are the powerful GIS server technology together with easy-to-use client technology. The clients include the new rich Internet applications, geobrowsers (i.e., ArcGIS Explorer), and mobile applications. These, coupled with the growing online content and Web sharing capabilities, are fueling a very rapid deployment. This is a very exciting time for GIS. From my perspective, it’s the most exciting time so far. Web GIS is creating an environment where the applications and the good that GIS can do are about to explode—explode in terms of leveraging our common reservoir of digital geographic knowledge. Esri GIS Software The main focus of Esri’s work is designing software for our users (maps, data, models, visualization). ArcGIS is a complete and integrated system for authoring and serving geographic knowledge. ArcGIS works on mobile devices, on the desktop, on the Web, in enterprise environments, and across the cloud. Presented here is an overview of recently released and soon-to-be-released additions and enhancements to the ArcGIS platform. ArcGIS 9.3.1 At 9.3.1, we made a substantial improvement to the ArcGIS platform, focusing on quality, performance, and scalability, and particularly on fast dynamic map display on the Web or in enterprise environments. We also enriched ArcGIS with a number of rich clients. We introduced some new ways to easily share data and expand online content for people to use, and we simplified some licensing. This is a valuable platform for this next generation. Layer Packages Layer packages are a new way to package your data, map the symbology associated with that data, and share it. Many of you do this now, but layer packages make the process much easier. You can create a layer package and share it on a CD/ DVD, put it into a shared file system, e-mail it as an attachment, or upload it to ArcGIS Online. ArcGIS Online ArcGIS Online provides a rich library of maps and imagery for the world. This year, Esri has extended ArcGIS Online with a powerful sharing capability that allows users to find and share maps, layers, and tools on the Web. This capability is in many ways like Flickr (the photo-sharing Web site). The ArcGIS Online sharing site has been designed to allow users to find, upload, and share content either with defined groups (such as their own enterprises) or publicly. The managers of these groups can choose with whom to share their Application Templates One of the things we’ve focused a lot of energy on is making it easier for you to get your work done. We think about this in terms of common applications that all our users employ. We’ve begun providing a set of desktop and server templates that help you implement ArcGIS. Templates will help you configure and use ArcGIS; they include data models, maps, styles (MXPs), and tools. When you find a template you’re interested in, you can watch a video to learn how to use it, view it live on the resource center, or download the contents of the template to configure it in your organization. You may also want to review the resource center for information on technical topics. When you download a template from the resource center, you’ll get a sample geodatabase and map layers. You’ll also receive one or more map documents to help you visualize the layers in that geodatabase. We also provide documentation and a gettingstarted guide to help you configure the template in your organization. Templates are not meant to be continued on page 16 Master’s in GIS in Rockville, Maryland The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) offers a Master’s in Professional Studies: GIS. This program is intended for early and mid-career GIS professionals and focuses on the computer science and information systems aspects of GIS. UMBC’s Master’s Program (10 courses or 30 credits) covers: • GIS Databases • GIS Application Development • Advanced Analytical Methods and Tools • Reflection on Professional Practice Offered at the Universities at Shady Grove, our program provides convenient access to accomplished faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a network of industr y leaders through innovative methods. Need More Information? 1+301-738-6081 gis@umbc.edu www.umbc.edu/shadygrove/gis ArcGIS is a complete platform for authoring, serving, and using geographic knowledge everywhere.