Redlands, California—ESRI, the leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, is now shipping ArcGIS 8.1. ArcGIS 8.1 is the first complete, scaleable system for geographic data creation, management, integration, and analysis. GIS users worldwide can now use ArcGIS to maximize the potential benefits of geographic information.

ArcGIS is a scalable family of software products comprising a complete GIS built on industry standards that is rich in functionality and works out of the box. The 8.1 release contains updated versions of the well known ArcView and ArcInfo desktop software products and ArcSDE spatial database server. All include new or enhanced functionality and are built on a single common architecture. In addition, ArcGIS 8.1 introduces new software products including ArcEditor and a set of ArcGIS extensions consisting of ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, ArcGIS 3D Analyst, ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst, ArcGIS StreetMap USA, ArcPress for ArcGIS, and MrSID Encoder for ArcGIS.

ArcView 8.1, ArcEditor 8.1, and ArcInfo 8.1 share a common user interface. This shared interface along with shared architecture make ArcGIS and geographic information accessible to a host of new users with various GIS needs. The common architecture also allows users to share scripts, custom tools, applications, and extensions. The release of ArcGIS 8.1 makes the geographic information system and its tools accessible to virtually everyone within an organization.

One of the key features of the 8.1 release is the ability to integrate data from Internet map services with local data sets. ArcGIS users can utilize Geography Network (www.geographynetwork.com), an open environment for searching, viewing, and accessing public and commercial map services. Geography Network map services can be leveraged through ArcGIS as if they were layers of local information. According to Jack Dangermond, ESRI president, "ArcGIS 8.1 will help Geography Network realize its full potential as a valuable source of geographic information services."

This release builds support for the geodatabase data model that was introduced at ArcInfo 8. The geodatabase provides centralized storage of geographic information in a database management system. "One of the most important aspects of ArcGIS is data management capability that includes an unparalleled collaborative environment for multiuser editing and update. This allows GIS practitioners to more easily integrate geoprocessing as part of an organization's information system," Dangermond said.

The 8.1 release also includes a number of important features including on-the-fly projection, exceptional map production, improved feature construction and editing tools, metadata creation and reporting, an intuitive Windows user interface, and a number of other user-requested enhancements.

For more information call 1-800-447-9778 or visit the ESRI Web site at www.esri.com/arcgis. Outside the United States, please contact your local ESRI distributor; see www.esri.com/international for a current distributor list.