{"id":188861,"date":"2018-05-18T23:21:17","date_gmt":"2018-05-18T23:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=188861"},"modified":"2018-05-19T00:52:18","modified_gmt":"2018-05-19T00:52:18","slug":"mobile-applications-gis-field","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/product\/water\/mobile-applications-gis-field","title":{"rendered":"Mobile Applications take GIS to the Field"},"author":3621,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":""},"categories":[23051],"tags":[53541,42641,40371,23711,37771],"industry":[],"product":[],"class_list":["post-188861","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-water","tag-arcgis-for-water","tag-arcgis-online","tag-esri-water","tag-mobile","tag-water"],"acf":{"short_description":"Today's Web GIS makes it easier than ever to implement mobile workflows, improving data sharing between the office and the field.\r\n","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

I’ve been excited about Esri’s mobile applications<\/a> for a while now. I can’t believe how much can be done with so much less effort than in the past. Today’s technology makes it easier than ever to share system information with field and office staff.<\/p>\n

Many of you may remember when it took a tremendous amount of effort to get your system information out to the field. In most cases, this was done by providing map books in each truck. The map book would include the location and information about your assets. Updating this book each year, printing multiple copies, and providing it to the field staff took hours, days, and even weeks! Sadly, once it was published, oftentimes the first feedback you received was that something in it was not accurate. The struggle continued year after year to get the most accurate, up-to-date data possible out to the field and convince staff to use this data.<\/p>\n

In many cases, the next step was to provide a digital picture of the system. Getting this to the field was accomplished by providing PDF files or software that allowed staff to view the location of assets but didn’t always include much data about the assets. Data collection was still paper based. At the company where I worked, a consultant was hired to customize forms on a handheld device. The amount of time, effort, and expense dedicated to this was enormous!<\/p>\n

Today, Web GIS and mobile applications are eliminating these types of challenges and replacing them with digital workflows that increase efficiency and data quality. Instead of custom applications and expensive mobile units, we can configure commercial off-the-shelf applications and use smart devices. It takes some effort to implement these, but the benefits ripple throughout the organization and provide so much more than the ability to just view a map in the field.<\/p>\n

How do we enable mobile apps? You need to have Web GIS. Below are some topics that you should start thinking about.<\/p>\n

ArcGIS Online<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Did you know that If you are an ArcGIS Desktop user you are entitled<\/a> to an ArcGIS Online account? For each license of ArcGIS Desktop that is current on maintenance, you get one named user.<\/p>\n

No problem if you don’t have ArcGIS Desktop\u2014you can purchase an ArcGIS Online subscription<\/a> and get started for less than you think.<\/p>\n

ArcGIS Solutions for Water<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

You will need to configure your ArcGIS Online organizational account to meet your business needs. ArcGIS for Water Utilities includes a Model Organization for Water Utilities<\/a> solution that can help.<\/p>\n

Preconfigured solutions can help you get started with inspections, maintenance, data validation, and much more!<\/p>\n

If you have questions, Esri’s water team is always here to help.<\/p>\n

Christa Campbell<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

Industry Specialist, Esri Global Water Practice<\/p>\n

Learn more about how Web GIS supports a water utility by downloading this whitepaper<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"}],"authors":[{"ID":3621,"user_firstname":"Christa","user_lastname":"Campbell","nickname":"Christa Campbell","user_nicename":"christacampbell09","display_name":"Christa Campbell","user_email":"CCampbell@esri.com","user_url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/en-us\/industries\/water\/overview","user_registered":"2018-03-02 00:15:16","user_description":"Christa is a water industry professional with 20+ years of success using and promoting technology. She is a passionate GIS advocate, lifelong learner, and collaborator. As the Director of Esri\u2019s Water Industry team, she provides strategic direction, builds awareness of water industry challenges and trends, and inspires organizations to work smarter using GIS-based solutions. \r\nChrista is a certified GIS Professional and holds a graduate degree in Geography.","user_avatar":""}],"related_articles":[{"ID":123491,"post_author":"3621","post_date":"2018-03-21 12:03:21","post_date_gmt":"2018-03-21 12:03:21","post_content":"Is your GIS living up to its potential? With today\u2019s technology, your GIS can be so much more than a system of record. I know GIS is great at storing your authoritative data but it\u2019s also good at sharing your data and creating actionable information from your data. Today, GIS is a system of record, a system of engagement and a system of insight\u2026.and it\u2019s easier than ever to implement!\n\n\"\"<\/a> \n\nThere are many definitions for system of engagement. Some define it as a system used directly by employees. Others say it as a system that encourages and enables peer interaction. At Esri, a system of engagement is defined as a system that manages and promotes user collaboration and interaction. It overlays and complements an organization\u2019s investment in a system of record by providing easy access to data as well as easy to use applications that enable collaboration across your organization.\n \nHow do you implement a system of engagement? You have to start with Web GIS<\/a>. Now is the time. Web GIS modernizes your workflows by using web services to deliver data and capabilities. It enables a whole suite of applications that support the work that you do.\n \nFor example, optimize your field operations<\/a> with apps that improve collaboration and streamlines project coordination by providing the same authoritative data to field and office staff in real-time. Access to the same information at the same time can reduce errors, boost productivity, and save money.\n\nWhat is your data telling you? This is where a system of insight becomes important. A system of insight facilitates organizing, transforming, and analyzing your data. With analytics<\/a> you can discover secrets in your data, evaluate trends, and even integrate non-spatial data\u2026resulting in actionable information. Analysis can be performed on the desktop, online, or within Insights for ArcGIS<\/a>. Whatever your need is, there is an analytical tool that can help.\n \nAre you getting the most out of your GIS?\n \nIf not, Esri\u2019s water team is always willing to help.\n \nChrista Campbell<\/strong>\nIndustry Specialist \u2013 Esri Global Water Practice<\/em>\n\n