ABOUT:

ArcGIS is a collection of GIS tools provided by Esri.  ArcGIS specializes in bringing in data and maps together to form relationships, see trends, and understand people’s relationships in relation to maps. Knowing the various characteristics around a certain location can reveal hidden data that may give businesses a keen edge in the market, allow people to understand the cultural, economic, and spatial dynamics in a country, and manage huge data to help tell a story.

Supported

ArcGIS is supported on Windows and Mac.

Pros

• Advanced data analytic tools to discover relationships
• Ports with other technologies like satellite imagery to deliver powerful applications
• Gives business and user friendly applications for the real world

Cons

• Incredible pricey license
• Limited 3rd party influence
• Learning Curve is very huge unless taught in a class setting or by experienced instructors

EXAMPLES

An example of GSU’s and Emory’s in-progress platform ATLMaps. This particular project shows the story of Raymond Andrews and his narrative of living in a segregated Atlanta.

 

 

 

Uses

The main uses of ArcGIS follow within the lines of business relationships of whether certain locations are good spots or not to host a particular franchise or find certain locations nearby that may gain business throughout time. However, there are many other applications with ArcGIS tools that allows for individual, inexperienced users to utilize to sort out data in hopes of finding strong relationships. While the learning curve is a bit steep, it is definitely  easy to mess around with maps and explore the different possibilities of finding something.