Note: At ArcGIS 9.2, ArcSDE stopped being sold as a stand-alone product. It is now known as ArcSDE technology and is included with both the ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Server products.

ArcSDE technology is part of the geodatabase and an integrated part of ArcGIS Server. It is a core element of any enterprise GIS solution. Its primary role is to act as the database access engine to spatial data, its associated attributes, and metadata stored within a relational database management system (RDBMS).

The geodatabase has a multi-tier architecture that implements advanced logic and behavior in the application tier on top of an RDBMS storage tier. It fuses ArcGIS application logic with information management in an RDBMS. It is utilized to enhance data management performance, extend the range of data types that can be stored in an RDBMS, and facilitate a multiuser editing environment.

Learn more about the geodatabase.