ArcGIS vs. Bing Maps

We utilize ArcGIS for each of our units. For example, we just completed our unit on the Middle Ages and are starting our unit on the Renaissance. There is a GeoInquiry that has students manipulate a map to not only see but understand the spread of the plague. They can toggle on and off different layers and icons to see how deadly the plague truly was, and how it led to the rebirth of Europe

Incentivized

Bing Maps is well suited for preplanning loads, specifically in regards to checking the bird's eye and aerial view to see if the facility has enough area or room for overnight parking. And if overnight parking is available, what number of restaurants are within walking distance from the business in the area.

Incentivized

• Enterprise GIS - multi-user, multi-versioned geodatabase access through a host of apps and web tools really help people stay connected to data.
• Cartography - fantastic control and customization available with the ability to automate workflows.
• Training - tons of training videos, seminars, and other learning materials are easily accessed. The help documentation is superb.
• Ability to manage an organization through dashboards is extremely helpful.

Incentivized

• provides clear directions
• street views allow preliminary identification of site layout and surrounding services
• clear background aerial imagery

Incentivized

• There is a steep learning curve for ArcGIS users.
• It takes a lot of computing power for ArcGIS, as it can't be installed on every computer.
• At times, tools can be outdated and there are many similar competitors making more web-based tools that can replace ArcGIS.

Incentivized

• Needs to be easier to claim businesses that don't have addresses we can access with mail
• Easier experience managing multiple properties
• More collaborative abilities with property managers

Incentivized

Simply because the program deserves it. It seems to me that it is a fundamental tool for the storage, analysis, and interpretation of medium and large-scale phenomena, unmanageable with traditional engineering software. Its versatility in the handling of the different "layers" with which the data is handled and interpolation tools, make this software a powerful ally both for companies and for the educational part of the universities.

Once set up, the tools are extremely easy to use. I had a staff member develop a tool for field data collection, that included an external and internal dashboards to monitor progress in days. The field workers that collected the data, barely knew how to use a computer, and within minutes they could use the application that was configured for them.

Incentivized

Unlike other platforms (ex: EMSI), there is no "help desk" new users can easily call into for troubleshooting or errors, and so you have to spend LOTS of time trying workarounds. This is also because the help center blog posts are usually pretty confusing, and many times do not include images or videos to help you along. Any such changes would be immensely useful!

ArcGIS and QGIS have a lot of similarities between their products. Where ArcGIS stands out is with their online version of their software. ArcGIS's online solution will pair up with your on-prem solution to offer a fully synchronized system. I wasn't able to duplicate the efforts with QGIS's products and it also requires other 3rd party applications to offer something "somewhat" comparable.

Incentivized

Home Depot and Lowes are both in the same category and offer great products and services but each have something a little different the other doesn't offer or have. Likewise, Bing Maps is in the same category as Google Maps but offers a little something slightly different in the features.

Incentivized

• ArcGIS is almost assuredly a positive ROI. The software is nicely packaged with a large user base. If you plan on doing geographic analysis and think there could be a boost to your bottom-line by doing geographic analysis, ArcGIS is the first tool I would turn to.
• For some analysts that just want to geocode addresses and plot city, county, or country boundaries, ArcGIS is a negative ROI. There are lots of other tools (free ones) that will accomplish these tasks without investing lots of time and money in ArcGIS. If that's all you're looking for, ArcGIS will turn out to be a negative ROI.
• ArcGIS has been a positive ROI for cases involving customer analytics. The software is great for geofencing customers and finding the most optimal targeting of customers.

Incentivized

• Makes preliminary identification of sites easy
• Quick preliminary site layouts
• Quick and easy to obtain directions

Incentivized