Esri Introduces Its Family of Internet Mapping Solutions

Four Software Products Feature Web-Mapping Functionality

Esri is now the first GIS company to offer a complete line of Internet Map Server (IMS) solutions: ArcView IMS, , RouteMAP IMS, and ArcIMS.

Whereas some users may be interested in simply serving specific ArcView GIS projects on the Web, others may want to use the MapObjects development environment to create completely custom applications. Esri offers ArcView IMS and as extensions to Web-enable these existing desktop GIS solutions.

"One of my favorite Web bookmarks is www.esri.com/imsregistry, which lists hundreds of Esri's IMS sites," says Jack Dangermond, Esri president. "Since new sites are constantly being added, it's just fascinating to explore the unique approaches each organization takes to serving geographic information."

"Esri's IMS solutions are uniquely designed to be based upon what users are interested in doing with GIS on the Internet," says Dangermond. "We were the first company to launch Internet GIS, and we've learned that a single IMS solution cannot meet the needs of all users."

Esri's new stand-alone Web-based GIS applications, RouteMAP IMS and ArcIMS, meet the basic and high-end needs of users. RouteMAP IMS is an Internet-based site locator application that also generates point-to-point driving directions, and ArcIMS is Esri's IMS solution that has been designed specifically to serve GIS data on the Web.

"Even organizations with an extensive investment in GIS have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic about RouteMAP IMS," says Dangermond. "The U.S. version of the application includes Dynamap/2000 with street data for the entire United States, and all users have to do is simply geocode site locations on a U.S.-based map and add the application to their Web page. There will be versions for other parts of the world in 2000."

On the other hand, ArcIMS is scalable to support an Intranet site or a worldwide Internet portal and features high quality cartographic rendering. (See the National Geographic article about ArcIMS and MapMachine on the cover of this issue of ArcNews.)

"ArcIMS supports vector streaming of data, integration of local and Internet data, MapNotes (redlining) and EditNotes (feature editing) tools, and more," adds Dangermond. "ArcIMS is the Internet version of what GIS professionals would expect from a high-end solution."

For more information on Esri's IMS solutions, please call Esri at 1-800-447-9778 or visit www.esri.com/ims. To purchase an IMS solution, contact your local reseller (to locate a reseller near you, visit www.esri.com/partners), call your Esri regional office, or call Esri at 1-800-447-9778. Outside the United States, please contact your local Esri distributor.

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