Developments and directions

Abstract

ESRI has recently released a major revision of ARC/INFO, version 6.0 which incorporates the latest technology for GIS applications. To solve todays complex problems, users need their GIS's to take advantage of a variety of data types not just multiple vector data types (e.g DXF, SIF, ARC/INFO) but also other types of data (e.g various raster files, scanned documents, satellite images, and video images). ARC/INFO now includes both raster and vector integration, management and processing capabilities. In conjunction with ARC/INFO revision 6.0, ESRI has also developed the first of many revolutionary productivity tools such as ArcView. In ARC/INFO revision 6.0, ESRI has developed not only a new release but a new approach to GIS. As GIS becomes more widely utilized in many industries and organizations for an ever increasing number of applications it becomes more apparent that the system needs to be more integrated and flexible. The key to the future of GIS is the ability to openly accept new functionalities and applications. This paper looks at the latest release of ARC/INFO version 6.0, especially in areas of technological innovation, and also in the future developments trends of GIS technology.