Five Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do in ArcGIS
If your job involves both people and places, the odds are good that you’re using ArcGIS in some capacity. State, county, and municipal agencies all need access to multiple layers of data mapped over spatial areas, and Esri’s GIS technology is one of the most robust, best-known programs for doing exactly that.
What you might not realize is just how customizable ArcGIS can be. There are a ton of plug-ins, add-ons, and streaming services you can use to make the software work better. We should know, because we made probably the most important one of all: ParcelQuest Gateway, a streaming service that delivers up-to-date California parcel data directly into the ArcGIS platform.
But as hard as it is to imagine, we understand that some people care about things other than parcel information. Here are a few other things you can do with ArcGIS that you might not know about:
1 – Integrate Your Favorite Enterprise Apps
Raise your hand if you’re using any of these on a daily basis: Microsoft products, SAP HANA, Autodesk, and Adobe Creative Cloud. Now be honest with us. Have you been using those products separately from ArcGIS, importing information between them manually? Or have you been taking advantage of the many available plug-ins and bridges that allow for ArcGIS integrations with your favorite programs?
Integrating ArcGIS with your favorite programs allows you to seamlessly move information between them, sync files, share and collaborate in real-time, and avoid ever unnecessarily duplicating your efforts.
2 – Apply Layer Blur Effects for Differentially Private Data
Are you working with census data that needs to be anonymized and protected? Are you building out a map and need to quickly and powerfully communicate that the data is a bit “fuzzy” in some way? ArcGIS layer effects make it easy to do that, and just about anything else you might want to do for visually modifying your spatial data.
Aside from blur, you can also employ drop shadows, sepia tones, and hue rotation. Effects don’t change the data values or affect points or lines on top of the polygon layer, so you can keep your streets and labels crisp and clear.
3 – Use Voice Commands to Quickly Take Field Observations
Are you using ArcGIS QuickCapture to take notes in the field? It’s a simple and robust data collection tool, perfect for scouting locations, assessing damage, or even surveying from a helicopter or other moving vehicle. The mobile app is already pretty convenient. But did you know you can record information hands-free using Apple’s built-in voice control?
With a few steps, you can configure iOS Voice Control to integrate with QuickCapture, allowing you to speak your necessary commands.
4 – Write and Edit Metadata that Conforms to EPA Standardization
Everybody can agree that metadata makes it way easier to find the data you need. But creating metadata that complies with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a pain. How do you keep track of the EPA’s Geospatial Metadata Technical Specification and the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 19115?
You could tab back and forth between the EPA’s website and your ArcGIS dashboard. Or you could just use EME Pro, an ArcGIS add-in that puts everything you need in one place.
5 – Get California’s Only Authoritative Real-Time Parcel Data
We saved the best for last, obviously. We know we mentioned it already, but it bears repeating: If you need California parcel data, adding ParcelQuest Gateway to your ArcGIS is the best gift you could give yourself. ParcelQuest Gateway is the only authoritative source of California parcel data, streamed directly into ArcGIS and updated daily. It’s newer than your last bulk purchase and it’s faster than getting your parcel information from the county assessor, cleaning it up, and manually importing yourself just to ensure your ArcGIS parcel fabric is up to date.
You’re busy. You’re doing important work. You shouldn’t be wasting time on inefficient processes and duplicate efforts. Let us handle the parcel data (because time we spend with parcels is never wasted). Call 1-888-217-8999 to learn more about ParcelQuest Gateway and get a custom quote for your organization.