Development Nears Completion

Geostatistical Analyst for Enhanced Surface Creation

Geostatistical Analyst allows you to use data from distributed sample points to create exceptionally accurate predictive surfaces with values for each point in a study area. Moreover, Geostatistical Analyst creates error surfaces that show the accuracy of the predictions. This ability to quantify and display the accuracy of the predictive surface is unique within the GIS and mapping industry.

The rich functionality of Geostatistical Analyst is accessible to the typical GIS user since a wizard-driven interface provides excellent default choices. The surface creation tools analyze the patterns in the sample data to choose intelligent defaults. For advanced users with a statistics background, unprecedented control is provided through open interfaces. Finally, Geostatistical Analyst provides the widest selection of interpolation methods and supporting analysis tools available in any commercial statistical software package.

The Geostatistical Analyst can be used within many disciplines for converting distributed sample points into a continuous surface. Examples of such events include elevation, hazard spills, measured crop yields, core samples in an oil field, temperature at specified locations, and nonpoint pollution entering a water source.

In addition to surface creation tools, Geostatistical Analyst provides Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) tools for gaining a deeper understanding of the data and allowing for better decision making when producing a surface. The ESDA tools are composed in an interactive environment made up of a series of plots linked to one another and with the map display. This tight integration between the ESDA plots and GIS functionality distinguishes it from any other geostatistical offering.

Geostatistical Analyst is scheduled for release in the same time frame as ArcGIS 8.1 and operates as an extension to ArcView GIS or ArcInfo. For more information, visit www.esri.com/geostatisticalanalyst.

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