The structure of ArcGIS

ArcGIS is a scalable line of software products comprising the most advanced GIS. It meets industry standards, having a high functionality, and is completely ready to work.

ArcGIS system consists of three key parts:

• Desktop products of ArcGIS - an integrated set of GIS applications;
• ArcSDE - the means for managing geographic databases in industry standard DBMS;
  • ArcIMS - the means for publishing data and making available a GIS server through Internet.
  • The desktop products of ArcGIS include ArcView, ArcEditor and ArcInfo. They have been built within a single architecture with the use of common program components. They have different levels of functionality available to the user in each product.

The key properties of desktop products of ArcGIS are as follows:

• Sophisticated instruments for editing;
• Advanced cartography;
• The use of data directly across the Internet;
• On-the fly map projection;
• Geocoding;
• Support of metadata with the use of XML;
• A complete building of working environment;
• Visual Basic for Applications used for building applications;
• Support of COM architecture;
• A flexible expanding architecture;
• Possibilities for creating any symbols, including the ones for creating topographic maps and plans of all scales (1: 500 - 1: 1 000 000) exactly corresponding to the requirements of Roskartografia;
• Powerful means for creating annotations and placing the text on maps;
• Continuous (seamless) preservation of data in the system of client/server architecture;
• The possibility to work in over 40 formats of data;
• Wide possibilities for spatial analysis, including additional modules.

ArcView is the world's most widespread desktop GIS. It is a powerful means for presentation, query, management and analysis of spatial information.

ArcEditor is a solution for creation and editing of object oriented geographic databases. It includes all the functionality of ArcView 8.1 and additional possibilities for editing, building, and analysis of data. With the help of ArcEditor one can create multiuse bases of geodata.

ArcEditor one can create multiuse bases of geodata.

ArcInfo is a full function GIS in the family of ArcGIS. It fulfills all the functions of ArcView and ArcEditor and in addition it can process geodata and perform spatial analysis.

ArcSDE provides for management of spatial data in a commercial DBMS.

ArcIMS provides a quick and productive GIS service via Internet.

All the products of ArcGIS 8.1 can use additional modules for solving specialized tasks of spatial analysis.

ArcGIS Spatial Analyst works with raster layers. It allows analyzing characteristics of the surface as well as interpolating spatially distributed data for visualization and analysis processes.

ArcGIS 3D Analyst is intended for creation, visualization, and analysis of 3D objects and surfaces.

ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst includes powerful instruments for making a statistical analysis of geodata and for building interpolated surfaces.

ArcPress is a rasterizer for producing high-quality maps on large format printing devices.

MrSID Encoder provides for an effective compressing of raster images and the creation of mosaics.