Literature

Brochures

ESRI—The Open GIS Platform [PDF]

White Papers

ESRI Technology and INSPIRE [PDF]
Date: September 2007
Subject: This document describes how ESRI GIS software products and solutions align with the Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE) vision for European geospatial information sharing and—more specifically—how they provide a technical foundation for activating that vision.

Developing and Deploying an Integrated Geoenabled SOA Business Solution: A Case Study [PDF]
Date: June 2007
Subject: In this case study, multiple disparate information systems and heritage data sources were integrated to deliver a flexible business solution using a service-oriented approach. Specifically, standards-based SOA-enabling technologies and design principles were used to integrate GIS spatial analysis and visualization services, along with other business information systems, in a Web-based, service-oriented business application environment.

Geospatial Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) [PDF]
Date: June 2007
Subject: This white paper describes the basic components that support a geospatial SOA in a vendor-neutral framework and then describes how ESRI components fit into this framework.

ESRI-Supported Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc., and ISO Standards [PDF]
Date: June 2008
Subject: This document provides a comprehensive list of all OGC specifications and ISO/TC 211 geographic information standards supported by ESRI.

ArcGIS: Engineered for Interoperability [PDF]
Date: January 2006
Subject: ArcGIS was designed and engineered with interoperability in mind. This white paper discusses how the ArcGIS platform conforms to open standards and enterprise IT frameworks so users can incorporate GIS in any application, on a variety of computing and mobile devices, and use geographic information accessed from databases and Web services kept in almost any format.

ArcGIS Enterprise Security: Delivering Secure Solutions [PDF]
Date: July 2005
Subject: Effective enterprise security can be a challenge for IT architects and security specialists who design, deploy, and support mission-critical solutions. While recent industry advancements, especially in the areas of Web services standards and services-oriented architectures, are helping architects to more effectively meet their security objectives, these new capabilities are also contributing to an already complex set of protocols, tools, and architectures. ESRI is committed to helping you determine the best way to apply security alternatives in your GIS solutions.

Interoperability in Enterprise GIS [PDF]
Date: April 2005
Subject: This white paper summarizes ESRI's strategy for supporting an interoperable enterprise GIS suitable for large mapping organizations, given current technology, practices, and trends in the software industry.

GIS Technology Designed for User Benefit [PDF]
Date: February 2005
Subject: This white paper addresses how vendor use of IT standards and mainstream GIS technology helps users better communicate and interoperate. Key interoperability concepts are explained from a user perspective. The paper is written by Kurt Buehler, president of Image Matters LLC and cofounder of the Open Geospatial Consortium.

ESRI Geospatial Portal Technology
Date: June 2007
Subject: This white paper introduces ESRI's approach to the discovery and exchange of geospatial information on the Web and outlines the geospatial portal technology ESRI has developed in that context. [PDF]

Spatial Data Standards and GIS Interoperability [PDF]
Date: January 2003
Subject: This white paper discusses the value of being "open," the evolution of spatial standards with the development of new technologies, including the future of Web Services, and provides an overview of where ESRI is concentrating its efforts with regards to interoperability.

ESRI Shapefile Technical Description White Paper [PDF]
Date: July 1998
Subject: This white paper defines the shapefile data format. It also provides all the technical information necessary for writing a computer program to create shapefiles without the use of ArcView or other ESRI software for organizations that want to write their own data translators.

Technical Papers

For technical papers, visit the ESRI Support Center.

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