ArcGIS vs. GeoSurf

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

For what my team uses GeoSurf for, it is well suited for jumping from country to country to quality control content placements very quickly. For the most part it is reliable, efficient and fast, changing countries and loading content instantly. Our company uses it for a fairly specific task on only our company website, but for what we use it for, it is a very powerful tool.

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

• GeoSurf is redirecting web traffic really well in order to simulate browsing from alternative locations.
• GeoSurf has a good interface and is very easy to set up and adjust.
• GeoSurf provides a very large number of possible VPN locations all around the globe.

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• At times, tools can be outdated and there are many similar competitors making more web-based tools that can replace ArcGIS.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

• It has been very difficult to set up GeoSurf for a device like an Xbox or Playstation, requiring significant experimentation and multiple devices daisy-chained and we needed to write detailed integration guides for testers. Device-specific solutions or guides would help tremendously.

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.

It has become critical to my business.

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

Easy to use and has a browser add-on

Incentivized

Never had a problem.

Excellent speed on all of the proxies I have used.

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!

They are super responsive and helpful.

Incentivized

The program is simple to understand.

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

Geosurf blows them out of the water in terms of features and liability. Freedom offers a cheaper cost but when you are working for a big company it is time to bring out the big guns and that is where GeoSurf comes in. Reliable is an understatement for sure.

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

• Easy to find mistakes that would have cost a lot had they gone unnoticed.