ESRI's ArcPad 8 Customization and User Interface

08 April 2009, 11:52pm

Redlands, California—April 7, 2009—ArcPad 8, ESRI's latest mobile geographic information system (GIS) software for field mapping and data collection is now available. ArcPad 8 has new usability and performance enhancements to increase productivity and help users manage their GIS projects more efficiently.

This major release includes the ability to synchronize edits with ArcGIS Server. Any device that can connect to the Internet (e.g., cradle, USB, Wi-Fi, or phone connection) can synchronize ArcPad edits directly with the enterprise geodatabase via ArcGIS Server. Field staff can now share data faster and save time by no longer needing to return to the office to update their GIS database.

ArcPad 8 also includes a new user interface. New icons and toolbars occupy less screen real estate than in previous versions. Toolbars can be docked, minimized, and maximized, and users can either modify the out-of-the-box toolbars or create their own with a new desktop tool called ArcPad Toolbar Manager.

The GPS user interface also gets an overhaul in ArcPad 8. The GPS position dialog box has been replaced by a translucent toolbar that appears at the bottom of the map screen. It shows much of the same detail as the previous position dialog box but now uses colored visual cues to indicate the quality of the GPS fix.

Also included in the new release is ArcPad customization software. ArcPad Studio, the development framework for customizing ArcPad, is now included with every ArcPad license rather than being sold separately. Combining the customization tools with ArcPad will help users modify ArcPad for their specific application requirements and encourage more deployments within their organizations.

ArcPad StreetMap now uses a lookup index. This makes it easier to enter and find locations than in previous versions. In addition to being bundled with the Tele Atlas Premium North American StreetMap dataset, ArcPad 8 also includes the Tele Atlas Premium Europe StreetMap dataset at no additional cost.

Beginning with version 8, ArcPad will become a maintenance-based product. ArcPad customers may subscribe to annual maintenance to get updates and technical support. Technical support will be provided to customers who are current on maintenance. For more information on ArcPad or to try a fully functional evaluation copy of ArcPad 8, visit the link below.

ArcPad 8

Geo: International