ESRI/Microsoft Connections, Summer 2008

In This Issue

• ESRI/Microsoft News
• ESRI Corporate Alliance News
• Product News
• GIS in Action
• ESRI in the News
• Marketing Opportunities

ESRI/Microsoft News

SQL Server 2008 Offers Highly Demanded Access to Spatial Data Types
Microsoft's SQL Server 2008 allows storage of spatial data in SQL tables, which means that a geodatabase implemented on SQL Server 2008 will be able to store vector geometry in either Geography or Geometry spatial type. This new functionality is the result of a close multiyear collaboration between ESRI and Microsoft, and a solution to the most highly demanded user request over the last two years.

Microsoft Virtual Earth Offered with ESRI's ArcGIS Online Services
ESRI and Microsoft recently announced the availability of ArcGIS Online Virtual Earth Maps Collection. A result of the two companies' long-standing history of collaborating to bring users complete geographic information system solutions, this new integration includes high-resolution street maps, imagery, and hybrid maps. Street map coverage is available for more than 60 countries and regions including North America, Europe, South America, the Asia Pacific region, and northern Africa. Some of the more popular applications are land-use planning, site selection, crime analysis, road network analysis, and delivery network management, to name a few. The Virtual Earth Maps Collection is available to ArcGIS Online 9.3 Premium Services subscribers. Trial subscriptions for both ArcGIS Online Premium Services and Virtual Earth Maps Collection are now available.

Jack Dangermond Speaks at Microsoft Partner Conference
Jack Dangermond recently spoke at a presentation addressing how Microsoft business partners are making a difference in the world. Dangermond was recognized for and spoke about ESRI's contribution to The Green Belt Movement, a program that is making a positive impact on the world. He encouraged other businesses to use their unique talents in effecting change for the good of humanity and the environment. (To listen to the presentation, open the Keynotes tab and navigate to the July 10 Allison Watson presentation, then click Play Keynote.)

ESRI/Microsoft Training

ArcGIS Server: Web Administration Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
An excellent follow-up to Introduction to ArcGIS Server, this course will teach you how to administer an ArcGIS Server production workflow as well as effective strategies to ensure its performance, security, and reliability.

ESRI/Microsoft Events

ESRI to Exhibit at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference
ESRI will be exhibiting in booth #1119 at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles, California, October 27-30. This event is designed to provide architects and developers with deep-dive technical training, information, and community resources. Learn how ESRI provides developer opportunities for creating custom mapping and GIS applications for Windows desktops, servers, or mobile devices.

ESRI Product Managers Discuss Green Computing with Microsoft
In this interview, ESRI Senior Product Managers Rob Elkins and John Baleja discuss technology advancements, development needs and what the Microsoft partnership means to ESRI. Through personal experiences, customer examples and a unique environmental perspective, Rob and John provide a look into the world of geospatial analysis and the importance of Microsoft technologies in their customers' applications. SQL Server 2008 (new spatial types), Windows Server and Client, Visual Studio 2008 (AJAX), WPF/Silverlight and Virtual Earth are highlighted in this discussion, as is the importance of the balance between managed and native code.

Microsoft a Platinum Sponsor of ESRI UC
ESRI thanks Microsoft for its Platinum sponsorship of the 28th Annual ESRI International User Conference in San Diego, California. Users from 134 countries gathered to learn and share through sessions, workshops, activities, and social events. Microsoft's sponsorship greatly contributed to many of the events that created the opportunity for users to enjoy a rich and rewarding experience including the following:

• Federal ReceptionSQL Server User Group Meeting
• Microsoft .NET User Group Meeting
• Integrated support for Visual Studio and the .NET Framework
• SQL Server 2008 spatial data

View the Presentation from the Microsoft .NET User Group Meeting [PDF]
Learn about some of the core changes in the 2008 releases.

Podcast: 2008 ESRI International User Conference Plenary Opening [MP3]
Listen to Jack Dangermond, president of ESRI, welcome attendees to the 28th Annual ESRI International User Conference, which took place August 4-8, in San Diego, California. Illustrating the conference theme GIS: Geography in Action, Dangermond talked about the importance of GIS as part of the solution to the challenge of living in a sustainable world and highlighted the works of GIS users around the world. Dangermond presented GIS awards to the State of Qatar, Centre for GIS; the City of Philadelphia; and Rosario Giusti de Pérez and Ramón A. Pérez, Venezuelan architects and urban planners.

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ESRI Corporate Alliance News

Exclusive Offer - Crystal Reports 2008 for ESRI Customers
ESRI customers upgrading or purchasing a full version of Crystal Reports 2008 for exclusive use with ESRI applications can still receive the exclusive special pricing offer from Business Objects. Crystal Reports 2008 is a powerful, dynamic, actionable reporting solution that helps you design, explore, visualize, and deliver reports via the Web or embedded in enterprise applications. It enables end users to create reports with stunning visualizations, conduct on-report business modeling, and execute decisions quickly from the report itself, reducing dependency on IT and developers.

ArcGIS 9.3 will include a 30-day evaluation copy of Crystal Reports 2008. Existing ArcGIS users can continue to use the version of Crystal Reports they received with their 9.2 update. Customers who wish to upgrade to or purchase Crystal Reports 2008 following the evaluation period can do so at Business Objects' worldwide e-store.

City of Folsom Keeps Residents Aware of Development Projects with GIS
The City of Folsom, California, has grown rapidly and faced a tremendous challenge in disseminating information to the public about its many development projects. The solution, a Web-based mapping application, utilizes ESRI's ArcGIS Server technology and leverages its service-oriented architecture (SOA) and the ESRI Web Application Developer Framework (ADF). The application user interface, developed with Microsoft .NET 2.0 and AJAX, is easy for the public to use and city staff to manage and customize. The Capital Improvement and Development Projects Viewer project was completed in less than 90 days and was implemented in less than 30 days.

Information Builders Awards Outstanding Customer Implementations at Annual Summit User Conference
The City of Houston Police Department was recently awarded Most Innovative BI Implementation at the Information Builders Annual Summit User Conference. The Houston Crime Center is using technology from Information Builders and ESRI to create a dynamic geographic information system that maps crime patterns and predicts the likelihood of crime activity throughout the city. The BI environment has led to quicker arrests and more thorough criminal investigations.

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Product News

Business Analyst 9.3 Desktop Solution Now Available
This extension to ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 allows businesses, organizations, and government agencies of all sizes to answer location-related site selection and marketing questions. Improved functionality at 9.3, based on client feedback, promotes user productivity through a variety of general enhancements plus streamlined software installation and better documentation. Business Analyst is available with U.S. as well as Canadian data. Learn more.

ArcPad 7.1.1 and ArcPad Application Builder 7.1.1 Now Available
The latest versions of ESRI's mobile GIS software for field mapping and data collection have been released. New improvements enhance the user experience by increasing productivity and ease of use in the field, allowing mobile users to make decisions more quickly and accurately.

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GIS in Action

GIS Saves Baltimore County $4 Million Annually
In Maryland, the County of Baltimore's enterprise GIS has undergone an extensive study initiated by a strategic business plan focused on determining the return on investment and use of the GIS that originated in the mid-1980s. Based on the study, the plan sets forth a series of enterprise recommendations that prioritize the findings and propose a course of action for their implementation. Among the quantified results was $4,659,521 in total annual benefits realized from the use of GIS.

China Relief and Recovery Efforts Enhanced Using GIS
GIS has been a strong contributor to relief efforts in many natural disasters. When an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck May 12 in the Sichuan province of China, ESRI and ESRI China (Beijing) Limited immediately recognized the opportunity to lend assistance by providing GIS software, staffing, and resources to assist in the relief and recovery efforts.

Search and Rescue Teams Rely on GIS to Locate Lost Hikers
The San Bernardino County Search and Rescue (SAR) team heavily relies on GIS in its mission. The technology is increasingly being adopted by SAR teams worldwide, as its effectiveness has proven invaluable in successfully completing the hard work these teams face. Search management is also greatly improved with GIS applications, positively impacting searcher safety, documentation requirements, and tracking search assets.

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ESRI in the News

ESRI Trend Analysis 2008/2013 [PDF]
In a new report, ESRI demographer Lynn Wombold writes about housing market trends; the credit crunch; and demographic changes related to baby boomers, Generation Y, and the Hispanic population. She also explains what's new in the 2008/2013 data updates for users of ArcGIS Business Analyst products. Read the white paper [PDF]. Listen to an interview with Wombold [MP3].

Loma Linda University Medical Center Implements Emergency Response System Using ESRI's ArcGIS
ESRI's ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS Mobile provide the backbone for the Advanced Emergency Geographic Information System (AEGIS) now being used by Loma Linda University Medical Center in Southern California. This Web-based hospital situational awareness system monitors and maps the location and status of emergency resources including area hospitals, ambulances, and rescue helicopters. The AEGIS deployment is also serving as a model disaster-response management system not only for other communities in the United States but also for the U.S. military.

ESRI France Participates in Phoenix Mars Landing Event
On May 25, 2008, the Phoenix Mars Lander successfully touched down on Mars, giving the world a fresh glimpse of the Red Planet's polar region. ESRI participated in an event to celebrate this historic craft on the inaugural day of its mission.

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Marketing Opportunities

2008 ESRI Homeland Security GIS Summit
The upcoming ESRI Homeland Security GIS Summit, October 20-23, 2008, in Scottsdale, Arizona, provides a forum for professionals in local, regional, state, and federal government; utilities; and the private sector who establish priorities and set directions for their organizations and work to improve systems for public protection and business continuity. Be part of the GIS Solutions EXPO to showcase your applications and services for homeland security and emergency management. Sign up now as a sponsor or exhibitor.

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