New Tool Helps ArcGIS Users Become Active Contributors to Wiki World Map

Esri has released a new, no-cost add-on for ArcGIS 10 that allows ArcGIS users to contribute data, using the editing capabilities of ArcGIS Desktop, to OpenStreetMap. Volunteered geographic information (VGI), such as that available from OpenStreetMap, is playing an increasingly significant role in emergency response during crises like the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. With this new, free and open source tool, ArcGIS Desktop users will be able to more easily contribute to the growing OpenStreetMap community.

The add-on allows ArcGIS users to download data from OpenStreetMap, store it locally in a geodatabase, and use the advanced editing environment of ArcGIS Desktop 10 to create, modify, or delete data. Once the edits are complete, the changes can be posted back to OpenStreetMap and made available to the OpenStreetMap community.

More details about the tool will be released over time, including access to the source code and enhanced documentation.

To download ArcGIS Editor for OpenStreetMap or to provide feedback about the tool, visit the project’s Web site at www.esri.com/osm-editor.

[Source: ESRI press release]

Esri offers a new, easier way to deploy ArcGIS Server called ArcGIS Server with Cloud Infrastructure, a preconfigured deployment of ArcGIS Server in a cloud environment. Users can license ArcGIS Server with Cloud Infrastructure for 1, 3, or 12 months and renew their licenses indefinitely without incurring added costs or paying maintenance fees. There’s no need to install or maintain software or manage cloud accounts; Esri takes care of everything.

ArcGIS Server with Cloud Infrastructure includes

• ArcGIS Server Advanced Enterprise running on a 4-core Windows Server 2008 64-bit platform with a 2.0 GHz processor per core, 15 GB of memory, and 500 GB of storage
• Documentation including a deployment guide, best practices, and online help
• Software updates during the term of the license
• Esri’s world-class technical support services

“ArcGIS Server with Cloud Infrastructure is a one-stop shopping experience for end users interested in deploying GIS [geographic information system] applications and services in the cloud,” says Jack Dangermond, president of Esri. “You no longer have to worry about keeping your server software up-to-date or making sure you’re running your applications on the right hardware. We take those concerns out of the mix so that you can concentrate on being innovative and productive.”

ArcGIS Server with Cloud Infrastructure has no setup fees. With the flexible licensing options, organizations can pay as they go to support hosted applications on a proven high-performance cloud infrastructure. This solution provides virtually instant deployment of ArcGIS Server and will benefit startup organizations, enterprise development efforts, governments, emergency management agencies, and other organizations with mission-critical projects.

ArcGIS Server with Cloud Infrastructure is currently available to U.S. customers only.

For more information, visit www.esri.com/amazon.

[Source: ESRI press release]