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What's New in ArcGIS 9.3.1

ArcGIS 9.3.1 improves the performance of dynamic map publishing and increases the sharing of geographic information.

High-Performance Dynamic Map Publishing

• New faster drawing map service
  • Outperforms ArcGIS 9.3 and equivalent ArcIMS services.
  • Produces significantly better-looking maps.
  • Shortens map caching time.
• New Map Service Publishing toolbar in ArcMap helps you tune-up your map documents before publishing to ArcGIS Server.
  • Review and respond to errors, unsupported content, and warnings about items that will slow down your dynamic map services.
  • Preview your map document and estimated rendering time.
  • Save your map document to a map service definition (msd) format, which is optimized for performance in ArcGIS Server.

Better Sharing of Geographic Information

• Better sharing of layers
  • Layers referencing feature or raster data can be packaged into a single layer package comprised of both the layer file and data. A layer package is created in ArcGIS Desktop and encapsulates ArcMap cartography and data. It can easily be e-mailed to others or placed on a DVD or network drive.
• With the ArcGIS Online Web application (in public beta), you will be able to
  • Search for maps published by ESRI and other users.
  • Upload maps and register online map services.
  • Organize and control access to shared maps.
  • Save Web maps as items for others to share, discover, and use.
  • Share layer packages.

Fast Access to Bing Maps and Imagery

• Quickly start GIS projects with ready-to-use content.
  • Up-to-date multi-scale mapping content from Bing Maps for Enterprise (formerly known as Virtual Earth) includes aerial imagery, roads, and hybrid (aerial with labels) imagery.
  • Content (imagery, roads, and hybrid) appears as another data layer in GIS providing excellent background maps on which users can overlay their operational data.
  • ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Server users directly connect to Bing Maps content via ArcGIS Online.
  • Clients can access Bing Maps content from any Web applications built with ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS Server Web SDKs (including JavaScript, Flex, and Microsoft Silverlight APIs).

Enhanced Support for Java Developers

• Ability to extend the ArcGIS/ArcObjects Framework. Java developers can now create the following extensions in their native language:
  • Custom geoprocessing tools
  • Server object extensions (SOEs) and utility objects for ArcGIS Server
  • Class extensions for customized data behavior in a geodatabase
  • Custom renderers for customized rendering of data in ArcMap and ArcGIS Engine applications
  • Plug-in data sources
• Tools for debugging, registering and deploying Java extensions for ArcGIS
• Support for Eclipse integrated development environment (IDE)
  • Wizards to generate boilerplate code based on the developer's specification
  • Autodeploy feature

Easy to Install

• Upgrading to ArcGIS 9.3.1 does not require uninstalling ArcGIS 9.3.
• Easy to migrate or work in mixed environments of ArcGIS 9.3 and ArcGIS 9.3.1 within the same organization since geodatabases, map documents, and APIs did not change.

Licensing Changes for ArcGIS Server

With the release of ArcGIS 9.3.1, the following changes in ArcGIS Server licensing will take effect:

• ArcGIS Server Standard (Workgroup or Enterprise) users will be able to use the editing capabilities of ArcGIS Server.
• ArcGIS Server Advanced (Workgroup or Enterprise) will include the following extensions for no additional fee:
  • Spatial
  • 3D
  • Network
  • Geostatistical
• ArcGIS Server Enterprise users will be able to deploy the following components on multiple machines without paying an additional deployment license fee:
  • Web ADF - SDK or Runtime
  • Web Service Handlers
  • Server Object Manager

Availability

ArcGIS 9.3.1 is now available. ESRI will automatically ship ArcGIS 9.3.1 to users current on maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I need to uninstall ArcGIS 9.3 before I install ArcGIS 9.3.1?

No. ArcGIS 9.3.1 installs on top of ArcGIS 9.3.

I am still using ArcGIS 9.2. Do I need to install ArcGIS 9.3 before I install ArcGIS 9.3.1?

Yes. You need to install ArcGIS 9.3 before installing the ArcGIS 9.3.1 Update (ArcGIS 9.3.1 Update will be automatically shipped to all customers current on maintenance).

Customers current on maintenance can also request the ArcGIS 9.3.1 full install package (includes ArcGIS 9.3 and ArcGIS 9.3.1 on one installation media) from www.esri.com/request931 (a shipping and handling fee of $19.95 will apply).

Do I need a new license file for ArcGIS 9.3.1?

No. If you are running ArcGIS 9.x, you already have a license file compatible with ArcGIS 9.3.1. However, if you wish to take advantage of the new keyless feature of the Windows and Linux editions of license manager, you will need a new license file, which you can request from ESRI Customer Service or your local distributor.

Are there any license manager changes for ArcGIS 9.3.1?

The current version of license manager for ArcGIS 9.x is FLEXnet Publisher 11.6, available by download from the ArcGIS 9.x License Manager Update page of ESRI's Patches and Service Packs site. If you are running this version of license manager, you do not need to upgrade your environment to run ArcGIS 9.3.1. You can check your version using the instructions on the ArcGIS 9.x License Manager Update page. These instructions are also in the Quick Start Guide included with your ArcGIS 9.3.1 media. If you identify that you are using a license manager version prior to 11.4, you will need to install the new license manager.

Is the Bing Maps content free to ArcGIS users?

ArcGIS Desktop users who are current on maintenance will be able to access Bing Maps at no additional cost. This access comes with an annual transaction cap that will be enough to meet the needs of most users. However, users who need more can purchase an annual subscription to the Bing Maps service that has no transaction limitation.

ArcGIS Server users will be able to easily access a free 90-day watermarked evaluation of Bing Maps that can be leveraged with the .NET ADF as well as with JavaScript, Flex, and Silverlight APIs. After the evaluation period, ArcGIS users can purchase an annual subscription.

ArcGIS Explorer users who have an existing ArcGIS Desktop license on the same machine as ArcGIS Explorer can use the Bing Maps content at no additional cost. ArcGIS Explorer users that do not have an ArcGIS desktop license can evaluate Bing Maps for 90 days (watermarked), and then purchase an unlimited use subscription.

What makes dynamic map services faster in ArcGIS 9.3.1?

We have worked on several major areas in ArcGIS 9.3.1 to improve the performance of dynamic map services. First of all, we have incorporated a new toolbar in ArcMap, which allows you to tune your map documents easily. This toolbar "analyzes" your map document and tells you how you could make it better performing. For example, it will detect if

• any of your layers are being projected on the fly.
• building a specific index on a field in your geodatabase is advisable.
• a layer does not have scale dependencies.
• a complex multilayered symbol is being used.
• Etc.

Additionally, through this toolbar you can export your map document to a map service definition (msd) file, which is optimized for performance in ArcGIS Server.

ArcGIS 9.3.1 also uses significantly improved drawing technology to accelerate map display, boosting your server's throughput.

Finally, we have optimized the output images created by the map service to make sure that they are as small as possible (while maintaining high cartographic standards). Smaller files mean faster download times, especially on low bandwidth networks.

Can I accelerate caching times with 9.3.1?

Yes. You can optimize your map documents and publish them through map service definition files, which will accelerate your map caching process.

Can I create a map service definition file from any ArcMap document?

Yes. However, the Map Service Publishing toolbar in ArcMap will warn you if there are any data sources that are not compatible with making high performance maps.

Can I access ArcGIS 9.3.1 Map Services from 9.3 Web applications?

Yes. From a client point of view, ArcGIS 9.3.1 dynamic map services look just like 9.3 map services, but they are faster. Web applications built with the ArcGIS API for JavaScript and the ArcGIS API for Flex will be able to transparently connect to your 9.3.1 map services. Web ADF applications will be able to connect to these MSD-based 9.3.1 services as long you do so over Internet connections.

For additional details, download the What's New in ArcGIS 9.3.1 document [PDF].