ESRI ArcPad

ESRI's ArcPad software is mobile mapping and geographic information system (GIS) technology. ArcPad provides database access, mapping, GIS, and global positioning system (GPS) integration to users out in the field via handheld and mobile devices.

Data collection with ArcPad is fast, easy, and significantly improved with immediate data validation and availability.

What Can You Do with ArcPad?

• Use your existing data—ArcPad supports industry-standard vector and raster image display.
• Add data from the Internet—Data can be provided from the Internet via wireless technology.
• Move around your map—ArcPad includes a number of map navigation tools including zoom and pan, spatial bookmarks, and center on the current GPS position.
• Query your data—Identify features, display hyperlinks, and locate features.
• Measure distance, area, and bearings on your ArcPad map.
• Navigate with your GPS—Connect a GPS and let ArcPad guide you.
• Edit your data—Create and edit spatial data using input from the mouse pointer, pen, or GPS.
• Include ArcPad in your GIS solution—Extract, convert, and project your existing data using ArcGIS Desktop or ArcView 3.x

GIS Data Collection

Create, Edit and Display GIS Data
ArcPad allows users to create and edit spatial data (points, lines, and polygons) using input from the mouse pointer, pen, GPS, rangefinder, or camera. ArcPad includes editing tools for offsets, repeated attributes, segmented line features, snapping, and more.

Users can record field sketches and notes into the data collection process with ArcPad. Sketches can be shared and exchanged as a graphics layer to and from ArcGIS Desktop. These sketches can become part of the geodatabase and the project record.

A key feature of ArcPad is the ability to display a variety of geographic and attribute information. ArcPad uses data directly from an individual's desktop or an organization's enterprise GIS without the need to convert to unique portable formats. ArcPad supports vector and raster data in a multilayered environment. Users can combine vector and raster data with the only limitations being the speed and memory capacity of the hardware in use.

• ArcPad AXF file (based on Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition)
• ESRI shapefile
• ArcPad graphics layers
• ArcPad photo layers
• MrSID MG2 and MG3
• JPEG
• JPEG2000
• TIFF
• GIF
• PNG
• Windows bitmap
• CADRG
• ArcIMS Image Services via access to the Internet

ArcPad users are able to customize ArcPad and build focused applications using ArcPad Application Builder. Developers can build focused applications within the desktop environment and deploy them on numerous ArcPad devices in their organization.

Attribute Data Collection
Attribute data is descriptive information about a location and can be edited and collected with ArcPad data collection forms. These forms include fields that are designed for input using a variety of devices (Windows Mobile devices, laptops, Tablet PCs). Forms include field options for text boxes, menus, calendar/date selection, and more. Simple data collection forms can be created quickly with ArcPad from a shapefile. More specialized custom forms can be created with ArcPad Application Builder and deployed on ArcPad.

Integrate External Hardware

ArcPad can integrate input from field devices, such as a GPS receiver, into field data collection. Connecting additional hardware can expand the accuracy, quality, and efficiency of field data collection. Using ArcPad Application Builder, additional specialized data collection tools, such as water quality meters and RFID readers, can be supported in ArcPad.

GPS Support
ArcPad offers integration with an optional GPS or differential global positioning system (DGPS). With an optional GPS attached, ArcPad displays an individual's current position on the map in real time.

GPS data can be recorded as a track log (stored as a point shapefile) or as points (often referred to as waypoints), polygons, and polylines in a shapefile.

• Support for point mode digitizing (i.e., the ability to capture explicit points) as well as stream mode digitizing
• Support for position averaging when capturing a point feature or a vertex for a polyline or polygon feature
• Ability to pause the capturing of GPS line or polygon features and resume capturing at a later stage
• Option to set the maximum thresholds for error measurements such as position dilution of precision (PDOP) and estimated position error (EPE)
• Option to activate an alarm when the GPS mode changes (two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and differential GPS) and automatically stop GPS data capture
• Ability to specify minimum position and distance intervals between GPS positions used for data capture of vertices

Rangefinder Support
ArcPad supports rangefinders in order to provide optional input for offset data when capturing or editing features which are located in hard-to-reach or unsafe locations. Rangefinders provide measurements such as distance, bearing, and inclination. Several reference points can be used including the user's current GPS position, a single fixed position, or two fixed positions on a map. Users can also snap one or many fixed reference point(s) to existing features. Developers have the additional option of building custom rangefinder extensions using ArcPad Application Builder.

Digital Camera Support
Support for digital cameras is now integrated with ArcPad. From within ArcPad, you can control the connected camera by previewing the image, then taking the photo. The use of a digital camera with ArcPad allows users to include a visual record as part of the field data collection process. A digital photo can be linked to the actual location where it was taken and associated with descriptive attribute information. These photos become part of the ArcPad project and can be accessed through hyperlinks to features. Photographs are an important record for many field tasks with legal and compliance requirements.

ArcPad Data Manager Extension for ArcGIS Desktop

ArcPad Data Manager Extension included with ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo, allows you to extract features as well as relationship classes from the geodatabase to the field, deploy to multiple devices, and then update the geodatabase with the field edits.

• ArcPad Data Manager toolbar in ArcMap
• ArcPad Tools in ArcToolBox

Using the ArcPad Data Manager extension, you can check out feature classes with relationships from personal, file and enterprise geodatabases to a single AXF file based on Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition. Database rules (subtypes, coded value domains, range domains) are supported in the data and do not need to be manually added to forms.

The ArcPad Data Manager extension also manages the process of checking in the data and updating the geodatabase with the edits made in ArcPad.

Symbology and Style Sheets

ArcPad supports a wide range of ArcGIS symbols and style sheets, enabling maps in ArcPad to mirror the appearance of those in ArcGIS Desktop. The use of familiar symbology which complies with organizational cartographic standards makes it easier for field users of ArcPad to transition from using paper maps or desktop PCs to using mobile devices in the field.

Users can set layer symbology by selecting symbols from style sheets included with ArcPad. ArcPad supports labeling for points, lines, and polygons and angled label text. Placement options can be specified for point or line labels. Expressions can also be used to label point, line, or polygon features, enabling labeling with multiple attribute values.

Language Support

The ArcPad user interface is available in a number of languages, making it easier for mobile GIS workers whose native language is not English. Localized versions of ArcPad are currently available for the following languages:

• Chinese (Hong Kong)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Danish
• Dutch
• French
• German
• Hebrew
• Hungarian
• Japanese
• Norwegian
• Polish
• Portuguese (Brazil)
• Romanian
• Spanish
• Swedish

What's New in ArcPad 7.1.1

The latest releases of ArcPad 7.1.1 and ArcPad Application Builder 7.1.1 focuses on quality enhancements and include a number of new capabilities and performance improvements.

Highlights of ArcPad 7.1.1 include:

• Streetmap Desktop Data Extractor—The Streetmap Desktop Data Extractor utility allows ArcPad StreetMap users to easily extract data from the Streetmap Premium Tele Atlas North American dataset previously included in ArcPad 7.1. Users can save the extracted area of interest to a desktop PC and transfer it to a mobile device operating ArcPad in the field.
• Performance Improvements with StreetMap—Performance improvements have been made for users of the StreetMap extension. Users will see a noticeable increase in available memory while StreetMap is running.
• Enhanced Relational Database Support—Related tables support based on the Microsoft SQL relational database has been improved in 7.1.1 with bug fixes and enhancements including the support of global ID in the geodatabase.
• Satellite Objects Added—A new property called Satellites has been added to the GPS object, increasing efficiency and ease-of-use for users. Satellites will return a collection of satellite objects. Developers can update third-party GPS extensions to access these objects.

System Requirements

Installing ArcPad 7 on Windows 2000 or XP

Note: To use the ArcPad Data Manager extension for ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Desktop ArcView, ArcEditor, or ArcInfo 9.2 or higher is required.

Installing ArcPad 7 on Windows Mobile or Windows CE