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Mobile GIS
Mobile
computing is creating fundamental changes by adding the
ability to take GIS with you into the field and interact
directly with the world around you. Mobile GIS is
composed of a number of technologies:
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GIS
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Mobile
hardware in the form of lightweight devices and
ruggedized field
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PCs
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Global
position systems (GPSs)
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Wireless communications for Internet GIS access
Traditionally, the process of field data collection and
editing has been time consuming and error prone.
Geographic data has traveled into the field in the form
of paper maps. Field edits were performed using sketches
and notes on paper maps and clipboards. Once back in the
office, these field edits were deciphered and manually
entered into the GIS database. The result has been that
GIS data has often not been as up-to-date or accurate as
it should have been. Consequently, GIS analysis and
decisions have been delayed.
Recent developments in mobile technologies have enabled
GIS information to be taken into the field as digital
maps on compact, powerful mobile computers, providing
field access to enterprise geographic information. This
enables organizations to add real-time (and near
real-time) information to their enterprise database and
applications, speeding up analysis, display, and
decision making by using up-to-date, more accurate
spatial data.
Many field-based tasks utilize geographic information
that has benefited from the increased efficiency and
accuracy of mobile GIS including:
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Asset inventory, which usually requires field data
collection or mapping
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Asset maintenance, which usually requires updates
to attribute
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information and geometry of GIS features
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Inspections, typically involving field assets or
legal code compliance
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Incident reporting; for example, spatially
recording accidents or events
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GIS analysis and decision making
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These
field-based tasks are common to many GIS applications
such as :
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Utility inspections and maintenance
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Mapping of natural resources
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Mineral exploration
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Recording of accidents
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Inspection of compliance to local government codes
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Mapping of wildfires
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Many
more
Some of
the field-based tasks involve fairly simple operations
that require simple geographic tools. In contrast, some
field-based tasks involve complex operations and,
consequently, require sophisticated geographic tools.
ArcGIS includes applications that meet the requirements
of both.
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ArcPad
ArcPad focuses on field
tasks that require relatively simple geographic
tools. These tasks are typically performed on
handheld computers (running Microsoft Windows CE or
Pocket PC). ArcPad supports numerous devices.
ArcGIS Desktop and
ArcGIS Engine focus on field tasks that require more
sophisticated geographic tools. These tasks are
typically performed on high-end Tablet PCs.
Sketches and notes created in
ArcEditor on the Tablet
PC are geographically referenced and can be saved as
map graphics or as annotation in the geodatabase. |
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Field GIS
also relies heavily on application customization to
simplify mobile work tasks as well as wireless access to
real-time data feeds from central GIS Web servers such
as sites deployed with ArcIMS
and ArcGIS Server.
Mobile
GIS Products include:
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