chapter 1

Understanding
ArcGIS products
and extensions

ArcGIS products 2
ArcGIS for Desktop
ArcGIS for Server
ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS for Mobile
ArcGIS Explorer
Challenge 1
ArcGIS for Desktop extensions 6
ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst
ArcGIS 3D Analyst
ArcGIS Network Analyst
ArcGIS Schematics
ArcGIS Tracking Analyst
ArcGIS Publisher
Challenge 2
Answers to challenge questions 12
Key terms 13
Resources 13
2 Chapter 1: Understanding ArcGIS products and extensions

Welcome to the ArcGIS platform. The ArcGIS products complement each other to create a complete
geographic information platform that lets you author, serve, and use geographic information ( figure 1.1). In
this chapter, you will get an overview of ArcGIS products that will help you identify the right product for a
given task.

Figure 1.1 ArcGIS is a platform

for designing and managing
solutions through the application of
geographic knowledge. It enables
you to perform deep analysis,
gain a greater understanding of
your data, and perform high-level
decision making. Esri.

Skills measured
Given a task, identify the necessary ArcGIS products and/or resources to complete the task.

ArcGIS products
ArcGIS is a complete platform that includes several products for managing, integrating, and sharing
geographic data, performing spatial analysis, and displaying your results as professional-quality maps. To
determine the correct product to complete a given task, you need to know what each of the different products
is used for. Below you will find a brief description of the main products in the ArcGIS platform and some
examples of when to use them.

ArcGIS for Desktop

ArcGIS for Desktop is used to author and edit maps and geospatial content. It includes two applications:
ArcMap and ArcCatalog. ArcCatalog is also integrated into ArcMap as a Catalog window. Use these two
applications for the following:

• Use ArcMap for visualizing and editing geographic data, performing GIS analysis, and creating
professional-quality map products.
• Use ArcCatalog (or the ArcMap Catalog window) for browsing, managing, and documenting
geographic data.

Examples:
• An analyst could use ArcGIS for Desktop geoprocessing tools to analyze the spatial distribution of 911
calls and visualize the results as a series of maps and graphs. The analyst could then run the analysis
repeatedly on different data by building a geoprocessing model.
• You could use the ArcGIS for Desktop predefined templates and simple wizards to create quality maps
( figure 1.2).
• A technician could use ArcGIS for Desktop to create and edit roads and highways. For new roads,
the technician could use Coordinate Geometry (COGO) tools to create features based on survey
measurements.
• As part of the GIS department in a larger organization, you could use ArcGIS for Desktop to prepare
maps for publishing and share them as map services and map packages in ArcGIS Online.

ArcGIS products 3

Figure 1.2 ArcGIS for Desktop

provides a large library of
predefined and customizable
symbols, tools for advanced
cartographic label placement and
conflict detection (Maplex), and
predefined map templates. Map
by Esri; data from Esri Data &
Maps, 2001, courtesy of ArcWorld
Supplement and DMTI
Spatial Inc.

ArcGIS for Server

ArcGIS for Server is used to create and distribute maps and geospatial services over the web. Use ArcGIS
Server for the following:

• Publishing GIS information and maps as web services

• Accessing GIS services through web applications
• Managing data in an enterprise geodatabase
Examples:
• An employee of a city GIS department could use ArcGIS for Server to publish city map layers as GIS
services and make them available to the general public via a web application.
• An employee of a weather agency could use ArcGIS for Desktop to create an animation showing the
progression of hurricane paths from time-enabled data and then use ArcGIS for Server to publish the
map as a GIS service that can be accessed through a web application.
• A Department of Emergency Management employee could use ArcGIS for Server to integrate statewide
hazmat, transportation, and shelter status from several GIS services, along with a weather data feed into
one central web application to support decisions that involve hazardous materials.
• A city employee could store city spatial data holdings in a central enterprise geodatabase that employees
from different city departments could access and use to edit and maintain the data. Enterprise
geodatabase functionality is part of the ArcGIS for Server license.

ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Online helps organizations collaborate and manage maps and geospatial content in the cloud
( figure 1.3). Organizations can set up their own custom ArcGIS Online website. Members of the organization
use ArcGIS Online for the following:

• Creating and sharing maps that can be accessed by anyone through a browser, a mobile device, ArcGIS
for Desktop, or a custom application
• Accessing maps, datasets, services, tools, and other geospatial content shared by others
• Managing geospatial content
• Sharing content publicly, with specific groups, or keeping it private within the organization
4 Chapter 1: Understanding ArcGIS products and extensions

Figure 1.3 ArcGIS Online is part of the ArcGIS

platform. It can be accessed through desktop,
mobile, or web applications. Esri.

Examples:
• You could use the World Street Map basemap from ArcGIS Online as a background for displaying analysis
results in ArcMap.
• You could create a map of median household income in different parts of the county, and then create a
map package and post it to ArcGIS Online.
• A web developer could create an application that combines ArcGIS Online map services of renewable
energy projects and solar radiation potential with an ArcGIS Online basemap, allowing users to calculate
the solar energy potential of a building or area. The developer could then share the application on
ArcGIS Online.
• A public health initiative employee could create a web map of health-food supermarkets using the ArcGIS
Online built-in map viewer. Then the employee could share the web map by distributing the URL to
members of the initiative’s ArcGIS Online group.

ArcGIS for Mobile

ArcGIS for Mobile is used to access maps and geospatial content on mobile devices, including tablets and
smartphones. It consists of ready-to-deploy applications for field data collection and inspections, plus
Software Development Kits (SDK) for creating custom applications.
ArcGIS for Mobile consists of the following product suite:

• ArcPad: ArcPad is designed for GIS professionals who need mobile field mapping and advanced data
collection software. ArcPad includes key GIS and GPS (Global Positioning Systems) capabilities for
capturing, editing, and displaying geographic information quickly and easily.
• ArcGIS for Windows Mobile: ArcGIS for Windows Mobile helps organizations deliver GIS capabilities
and data from centralized servers to a range of Windows-based mobile devices. You can use ArcGIS for
Windows Mobile to deploy intuitive GIS applications to increase the accuracy and improve the currency
of GIS data across your organization. Easy-to-use ArcGIS for Windows Mobile applications enable field
crews who do not necessarily have any GIS experience to do field mapping, GIS editing, spatial queries,
sketching, and GPS integration.
• Apps for Smartphones and Tablets: ArcGIS for Smartphones and Tablets is used for navigating maps,
data collection, reporting and analysis using iOS, Android, or Windows Phone devices. It includes a free
application that you can download from the Apple App Store, Google Play/Android Market, or Windows
Store. Also provided are developer-focused SDKs that you can use to build custom applications.

ArcGIS products 5
Use ArcGIS for Mobile to do the following:

• Provide simple-to-use data collection applications for smartphone and tablet devices
• Synchronize directly with ArcGIS for Server to make data and map updates available to field staff and
desktop users both in the office and in the field
Examples:
• You could use ArcPad on a Windows-based mobile device in the field to collect and edit spatial and
attribute data for water and sewer mains, manholes, fire hydrants, pole inspections, and so on, using
various customization tools such as scripts and applets. Back in the office, you could quickly check new
data into a geodatabase to update the city’s data holdings.
• City field workers who are not trained in GIS could use the out-of-the-box ArcGIS for Windows Mobile
application to collect information about city street signs via a map service that accesses the GIS features
of the map.
• A water department employee could use an ArcGIS for Windows Mobile application to view work orders,
find the water valves to shut off for servicing water features, add notes for the user to the map about
updates in the water features, and synchronize the information with the database in the office twice a day.
• You could use the ArcGIS for Windows Mobile SDK to create a data collection application to be used on
a Windows 7 tablet or laptop PC and distribute it to field crews.
• A city resident without any GIS knowledge could use the city’s custom reporting smartphone or tablet
application that leverages ArcGIS technology to report civic issues and make service requests to the
different city departments using your mobile phones.

ArcGIS Explorer
ArcGIS Explorer is a free viewer that can be used to do the following:

• View, query, and analyze spatial data

• Deliver authoritative data to a broad audience
ArcGIS Explorer includes two applications: ArcGIS Explorer Desktop and ArcGIS Explorer Online ( figure 1.4).

• Use ArcGIS Explorer Desktop (downloadable) for exploring, visualizing, and sharing geographic
information and author presentations.
• Use ArcGIS Explorer Online, a browser-based viewer, for creating web maps, performing queries, and
creating dashboards and author presentations.

Figure 1.4 With ArcGIS Explorer

Desktop you can access ready-to-
use ArcGIS Online basemaps and
layers, perform spatial analysis (e.g.,
visibility analysis, modeling, proximity
search), fuse your local data with map
services to create custom maps, and
add photos, reports, videos, and
other information to your
maps. Esri.
6 Chapter 1: Understanding ArcGIS products and extensions

Examples:
• An employee in the department of transportation could use ArcGIS Explorer Desktop to view and query
data about road construction projects, query traffic data, and integrate external map services and
basemaps to create presentations for a public meeting.
• A real-estate agent could use ArcGIS Explorer Online to show available properties to clients, along with
socio-economic, transportation, school, and other family resource information in a one-mile buffer area.
• A group of disc golf enthusiasts could use ArcGIS Explorer Online to create a web map of disc golf
courses in a county along with a description and driving directions to the individual courses. Then, they
could share their web map with others using ArcGIS Online.
• A geography teacher could use ArcGIS Explorer Desktop in the classroom to view, query, and analyze
maps as part of geography education.

Challenge 1
For each of the following scenarios, pick the right products to complete the task.

1. Which two ArcGIS products or applications should you use to create a new geoprocessing model?
(Choose two.)
a. ArcGIS Explorer Desktop
b. ArcCatalog
c. ArcGIS Mobile
d. ArcMap
e. ArcGIS for Server
2. Which ArcGIS product should you use to share GIS maps so they can be accessed from within a
web browser?
a. ArcGIS Explorer Online
b. ArcPad
c. ArcGIS for Server
d. ArcGIS for Desktop
3. You need to add imagery to a map document so that it displays in the background of some analysis
results. Which product should you use to find the imagery?
a. ArcGIS for Desktop
b. ArcGIS Online
c. ArcGIS Explorer Online
d. ArcGIS Mobile
4. You need to use advanced labeling tools for fitting the maximum number of labels on a map without
conflict. Which product or application will provide this functionality?
a. ArcMap
b. ArcGIS Online
c. ArcPad
d. ArcGIS Explorer Online
e. ArcGIS Mobile

ArcGIS for Desktop extensions

Let’s briefly talk about special products that extend the functionality of ArcGIS for Desktop. ArcGIS for
Desktop extensions are products that add specialized capabilities for advanced analysis and enhanced
productivity to ArcGIS for Desktop. They give you tools for performing sophisticated tasks such as raster
geoprocessing, 3D analysis, and network analysis. Below, you will find a summarized description of the most
commonly used ArcGIS for Desktop extensions.

ArcGIS for Desktop extensions 7
ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
ArcGIS Spatial Analyst is used for creating, querying, mapping, and analyzing cell-based raster data ( figure 1.5).
Examples:
• You could use an elevation raster to calculate surfaces, for
example, slope, aspect, and hillshade.
• You could find suitable locations for a new ski resort by
reclassifying different input rasters according to their
suitability and then combining them in a weighted overlay.
• You could derive a crime density surface from a point layer of
crime incidents. Since some point locations represent more
than one crime incident, a density surface will present a
different pattern than the point layer.
• You could perform a cost-of-travel analysis between two
locations by creating a cost-weighted distance raster and
identifying the best path based on travel cost.

ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst

ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst complements the functionality of Figure 1.5 ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
Spatial Analyst. Most of the interpolation methods available in provides tools to derive slope, aspect,
Spatial Analyst are represented in ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst or hillshade rasters from an elevation
as well, but in Geostatistical Analyst there are many more raster. Esri.
statistical models and tools, and all their parameters can be
manipulated to derive optimum surfaces.
Examples:
• A California Health Department employee could use the kriging interpolation method
from Geostatistical Analyst to create a raster surface of ozone concentrations for the state
of California from point measurements at different ozone monitoring stations ( figure 1.6).

Figure 1.6 There are 193 ozone monitoring stations in California. The prediction map shows a predicted ozone value
for every location in the state. Esri.
8 Chapter 1: Understanding ArcGIS products and extensions

• From the same data, you could create a standard error map that quantifies the uncertainty of the
predictions ( figure 1.7).

Figure 1.7 An error map quantifies the uncertainty of the

predictions. The larger the standard error, the more uncertain
the predictions. Esri.

• A scientist working for an environmental science university lab could use Geostatistical Analyst
to determine radioactive soil contamination after the Chernobyl reactor accident based on point
measurements of rainfall within a few days after the accident.

ArcGIS 3D Analyst
ArcGIS 3D Analyst is used for creating, visualizing, and analyzing three-dimensional data. ArcGIS 3D Analyst
extends the functionality of ArcMap and ArcCatalog but also includes two viewing applications: ArcGlobe and
ArcScene ( figure 1.8).

• Use ArcGlobe for viewing and navigating large amounts of data on a globe surface.
• Use ArcScene for 3D viewing and analyzing datasets in a local area.

Figure 1.8 You can visualize very large amounts of 3D data in a global view using the ArcGlobe application, or you
can view site-level data in a local coordinate system using the ArcScene application. Map by Esri; data from Esri
Data & Maps, 2010, courtesy of Esri, i-cubed, USDA FSA, USGS, AEX, GeoEye, AeroGRID, Getmapping, IGP,
DeLorme, NAVTEQ, TomTom, Intermap, AND, NRCAN, Kadaster NL, and the GIS User Community.

Examples:
• You could visualize data in 3D to enhance understanding of spatial relationships and build a 3D
animation to share in a public meeting.
• You could use interactive tools in a 3D view to determine line of sight, measure heights in 3D, calculate
3D volumes, and determine the steepest path.

ArcGIS for Desktop extensions 9
• You could use ArcGIS 3D Analyst to analyze how the shadow of a proposed building will affect the
neighboring buildings.
• You could build surfaces of tree heights and crown cover from light detection and ranging (lidar) data to
estimate the biomass in a forest area.

ArcGIS Network Analyst

ArcGIS Network Analyst is used for spatial analysis of transportation networks, such as street, pedestrian, and
railroad networks that allow for travel in multiple directions.
Examples:
• A truck driver in a fleet of delivery vehicles could use ArcGIS Network Analyst to find the quickest route
for a vehicle to drive from location A to location B and print travel directions.
• A fleet manager could create the most efficient routes for a fleet of vehicles for multiple customer
locations, optimizing travel time and minimizing transportation costs ( figure 1.9).

Figure 1.9 Three food delivery trucks at a distribution

center are assigned grocery stores and routes to the
stores that minimize transportation costs. Vehicle
capacities, lunch breaks, and maximum travel time
constraints are included in the analysis. Esri.

• A 911 dispatcher could determine which ambulances or patrol cars can respond quickest to an accident
and locate the closest hospital from an accident location.
• A marketing analyst of a department store chain could define the service area that is covered by a
department store and determine the optimal location for a new department store.

ArcGIS Schematics
ArcGIS Schematics is used for creating a representation of a network in a schematic diagram.
Examples:
• An electrical company employee could use ArcGIS Schematics to create a simplified representation of an
electrical power network, intended to explain its structure and the way it operates ( figure 1.10).

Figure 1.10 Schematic representation of an electrical network showing

how three outside stations are connected to the network inside
a substation. From the position of the switches, you can tell how
electricity flows through this network. Esri.
10 Chapter 1: Understanding ArcGIS products and extensions

• A system administrator could use ArcGIS Schematics to visualize a computer network in a

schematic diagram.
• An airline could use ArcGIS Schematics to visualize resource dependencies of a flight schedule and the
cockpit crew, the cabin crew, and the plane ( figure 1.11).
• An employee of an organic food brand could use ArcGIS Schematics to visualize the path of food,
for example, from the farm where it’s grown, to the packing facility, to the distribution facility, to a
warehouse, and finally, to the store and the customer.

Figure 1.11 Schematic representation of resource dependencies

of a flight schedule. Referring to these schematics, you can easily
tell how a delay in the flight schedule would affect the other
schedules. Esri.

ArcGIS Tracking Analyst

ArcGIS Tracking Analyst is used for visualizing, analyzing, and understanding spatial patterns
and trends in your data in the context of time ( figure 1.12).

Figure 1.12 ArcGIS Tracking Analyst

allows you to visualize and analyze the
movement of resources. Esri.

Examples:
• A fleet manager could track the positions of a fleet of delivery trucks in real time. ArcGIS Tracking Analyst
supports network connections to GPS units and other tracking devices so the fleet manager could create a
connection to a tracking service or GPS device that can stream real-time temporal data.
• A National Weather Service employee could create a time-series animation of a hurricane, with the
hurricane’s center symbolized by wind speed and with a special symbol for the most current speed.
• An airport employee could analyze patterns in airplane delays by creating and summarizing charts that
display the temporal distribution of the data.
• An employee of the Center for Disease Control could analyze the spread of a highly infectious disease to
come up with the best strategy to stop it.

ArcGIS for Desktop extensions 11
ArcGIS Publisher
ArcGIS Publisher is used by ArcGIS Desktop users to share and distribute their maps, globes, and data. ArcGIS
Publisher creates Published Map Files (PMFs) ( figure 1.13). PMF files are viewable through ArcGIS for Desktop
products, including ArcReader, a free downloadable and customizable application that supports collaboration
via markup tools. Since ArcGIS Publisher does not require an Internet connection, it is frequently used for
distributing content inside and outside of an organization with secure control over data sources and viewer
access. It’s a cost-effective way to distribute maps and data to many different people.

Figure 1.13 With ArcGIS Publisher

you can share data and maps locally,
over networks, or on the Internet,
allowing colleagues to view and
interact with maps simultaneously.
Esri.

Examples:
• A government agency could use ArcGIS Publisher to share an interactive parcel map, protect it with a
password, and package the required data for distribution to the public.
• The GIS manager in a large organization could use ArcGIS Publisher to distribute maps to all GIS groups
within the company.
• A GIS consultant could use ArcGIS Publisher to distribute preauthored maps to their customers.
• A GIS developer in a consulting firm could use ArcGIS Publisher to distribute custom map viewers to
their customers.
For a complete list of Esri products, refer to the product pages at http://www.esri.com/products and
click the Alphabetical List of All Products link at the bottom of the page.

Challenge 2
For each of the following scenarios, pick the extension or product to complete the task.

1. Which ArcGIS for Desktop extension should you use to find the best location for a new ski resort based
on the following criteria?
• Must be on intermediate slopes, 15%–35%
• Must be in deeper snow; over 23 inches is best
• Must be in an area that gets more shade (so snow doesn’t melt quickly)
a. ArcGIS 3D Analyst
b. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
c. ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst
d. ArcGIS Tracking Analyst
e. ArcMap
12 Chapter 1: Understanding ArcGIS products and extensions

2. Which extension product should you use to find the shortest route for driving your car from home
to the closest train station, taking the train to the central station downtown, and then walking to
your workplace?
a. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
b. ArcGIS Tracking Analyst
c. ArcGIS Network Analyst
d. ArcGIS Mobile
3. Which product should you use to visualize data with a time component?
a. ArcGIS Network Analyst
b. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
c. ArcGIS Tracking Analyst
d. ArcGIS Publisher

Answers to challenge questions

Challenge 1
Correct answers shown in bold.

1. Which two ArcGIS products or applications should you use to create a new geoprocessing model?
(Choose two.)
a. ArcGIS Explorer Desktop
b. ArcCatalog
c. ArcGIS Mobile
d. ArcMap
e. ArcGIS for Server
2. Which ArcGIS product should you use to share GIS maps so they can be accessed from within a
web browser?
a. ArcGIS Explorer Online
b. ArcPad
c. ArcGIS for Server
d. ArcGIS for Desktop
3. You need to add imagery to a map document so that it displays in the background of some analysis
results. Which product should you use to find the imagery?
a. ArcGIS for Desktop
b. ArcGIS Online
c. ArcGIS Explorer Online
d. ArcGIS Mobile
4. You need to use advanced labeling tools for fitting the maximum number of labels on a map without
conflict. Which product or application will provide this functionality?
a. ArcMap
b. ArcGIS Online
c. ArcPad
d. ArcGIS Explorer Online
e. ArcGIS Mobile
Challenge 2
For each of the following scenarios, pick the extension or product to complete the task.

Key terms 13
1. Which ArcGIS for Desktop extension should you use to find the best location for a new ski resort based
on the following criteria?
• Must be on intermediate slopes, 15%–35%
• Must be in deeper snow; over 23 inches is best
• Must be in an area that gets more shade (so snow doesn’t melt quickly)
a. ArcGIS 3D Analyst
b. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
c. ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst
d. ArcGIS Tracking Analyst
e. ArcMap
2. Which extension product should you use to find the shortest route for driving your car from home
to the closest train station, taking the train to the central station downtown, and then walking to
your workplace?
a. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
b. ArcGIS Tracking Analyst
c. ArcGIS Network Analyst
d. ArcGIS Mobile
3. Which product should you use to visualize data with a time component?
a. ArcGIS Network Analyst
b. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
c. ArcGIS Tracking Analyst
d. ArcGIS Publisher

Key terms
ArcSDE geodatabase: A geodatabase stored in an RDBMS served to client applications using ArcSDE
technology. An ArcSDE geodatabase can support long transactions and versioned workflows, be used as
a workspace for geoprocessing tasks, and provide the benefits of a relational database such as security,
scalability, backup and recovery, and SQL access.

Geoprocessing tool: An ArcGIS tool that can create or modify spatial data, including analysis functions
(overlay, buffer, slope), data management functions (add field, copy, rename), or data conversion functions.

Map service: A type of web service that generates maps.

Web service: A software component accessible over the World Wide Web for use in other applications.

Web map: In ArcGIS Online, a web-based, interactive map that allows you to display and query the layers on
the map. A web map contains one or more ArcGIS Server map services that are referenced to ArcGIS Online.

Resources
• ArcGIS Help 10.1 > ArcGIS Tutorials
• ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
• Geostatistical Analyst
• ArcGIS Network Analyst
• ArcGIS Tracking Analyst
• Schematics
14 Chapter 1: Understanding ArcGIS products and extensions

• ArcGIS Help 10.1 Help > Extensions

• Spatial Analyst > Introduction
• What is the Spatial Analyst extension?
• A quick tour of Spatial Analyst
• 3D Analyst
• What is the ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension?
• A quick tour of the ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension
• Geostatistical Analyst > Introduction to Geostatistical Analyst
• What is the ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst extension?
• A quick tour of Geostatistical Analyst
• Network Analyst
• What is the ArcGIS Network Analyst extension?
• A quick tour of the ArcGIS Network Analyst extension
• Schematics > Basics
• What is Schematics?
• A quick tour of Schematics
• Tracking Analyst
• What is Tracking Analyst?
• A quick tour of Tracking Analyst
• Publisher > Getting started with Publisher
• An overview of ArcGIS Publisher
• ArcGIS Help 10.1 Help > Professional Library > ArcGIS Server
• What is ArcGIS Server?
• ArcGIS for Desktop product pages at http://www.esri.com/products/index.html
• ArcGIS for Desktop extension product pages at http://www.esri.com/products/index.html
• Virtual Campus courses
• 3D Visualization Techniques Using ArcGIS 10
• 3D Analysis of Surfaces and Features Using ArcGIS 10
• Using Lidar Data in ArcGIS 10
• Learning ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
• Introduction to ArcGIS 9 Geostatistical Analyst
• Recorded training seminars ( free)
• ArcGIS Explorer Desktop Quick Start Tutorial
• Getting the Most Out of ArcGIS Explorer Online
• Introduction to ArcGIS Schematics
• Making and Sharing Maps with ArcGIS Online
• Using Network Analyst in ArcGIS 10
• Introduction to the ArcGIS API for iOS