GIS Tips & Tricks
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Trimble is a global leader in positioning technology and Esri is a best-in-class geospatial software provider. When these two powerhouses converge, great things happen. So you may be asking, ‘How do I get the best of both worlds from these vendors? Now with Trimble Catalyst, getting high accuracy GNSS positioning integrated with the mobile ArcGIS platform has never been easier…
When mobile data collection takes place, there are multiple ways of consuming that data once it’s been collected. Through the use of Dashboards, Web Apps & Maps, and even through desktop applications like ArcGIS Pro, data can be viewed, queried, edited, etc. However, there could be certain data collection workflows in which real-time notifications would be useful to notify other workers, or members of that organization. For example, if I were adding features in the field to a “City Code Violations” hosted feature layer through Field Maps, I could use a process in the feature’s pop-up to trigger an email to be sent to other users in my organization to notify them of the new violation feature I just created. Follow the steps listed below to implement this process in you organization!
Workforce for ArcGIS is one of Esri's native GIS applications that allows you to take advantage of a streamlined work order management system that is built directly on top of your GIS platform. This tutorial provides a basic overview of the application both from the desktop browser as well as a mobile perspective. For more information on how your organization can integrate work order management with GIS
Survey123 Connect for ArcGIS is a desktop tool that allows you to create and publish survey forms to ArcGIS for your data collection needs. Signing in with your ArcGIS Online credentials connects Survey123 Connect to your organization, and once you create a survey, the form and feature service are stored in ArcGIS Online. The survey form can be accessed and edited in the Survey123 for ArcGIS mobile app, or managed through the Survey123 for ArcGIS website. There are hundreds of ways to enhance your survey forms; here are a chosen few to check out.
Good relationships are important in Business, Sports, Personal Life...in anything, really. Good relationships are important with GIS data as well. Let's take a look at how relationship classes and related data can aid in the GIS data collection process.
A client from a Water Reclamation Department uses the Collector for ArcGIS app to edit Sanitary Sewer Network data. They requested additional attributes for a Lift Stations layer, as well as the ability to add multiple Pumps to each Lift Station. The solution to this request is a related table in a feature service that allows for editing via the Collector app. This is an overview of the process.
Earlier in my life, I never ran. I mean from bears, sure, probably I would have. I occasionally played a round-ball-type sport that required moving arms or legs quickly. If I had to actually run, I hated every second and would never consider running for health. Well, circumstances change and different things matter as you approach mid-life. Two years ago I found...
The Web Map and Widgets are the foundation of creating apps in Web AppBuilder (WAB), but there are customizations you can make to add a finishing touch to your app and make it unique.
A large challenge of a small business owner is to keep track of what is going on while being very involved in providing the service. A solution for this problem is asset management. Many asset management solutions can cost thousands of dollars in subscriptions and that doesn’t even include the cost of the equipment...
If you have ever been involved with a GIS project that requires data collection using a handheld device there is no doubt that you at some point ask yourself "Is this spatially accurate enough?". Well here is some evidence that proves those little tiny GPS chips within those smart phones are actually pretty good.
We wanted to get some numbers for this idea so we took five different mobile devices (listed below) and tested their GPS accuracy against a known control point (NGS Point ID: DF4314). Our chosen devices were:
What we discovered was somewhat surprising. As you can see from the list these devices vary in use from the simple smart phone for GPS navigation & driving directions, to the professional series Trimble Geo capable of providing survey grade GPS positioning. Below is a map showing the different precision & accuracy for each device in relation to the benchmark. We stood over the known control point and collected five GPS points with each device and averaged them and found the following observations as a result:
Click here for map of plotted points
So what does all of this show us? It proves that you still have to pay big dollars (+$10k) to get a "high accuracy" GPS device but you can make an awfully strong case for a $600 iPad with the right data collection app. Who knows, maybe the day of "survey grade" accuracy in a smartphone is in the very near future.
A pile of GPS mobile devices sitting atop our known control point.
Cloudpoint has begun the rental of mobile GPS collection devices. These are ruggedized iPads specifically in a special casing to provide complete weatherproofing. The devices are locked down but outfitted with appropriate software and internet to give field crews the tools to start a GIS.
If you think about it, this is a perfect solution. Most local governments want to be on the right side of cloud computing. They want their crews to be up-to-date and efficient. However, a majority of public works garages don't have the technical expertise to deploy tablets. Don't forget about fighting with the finance department over whether or not a cellular data plan is a taxable benefit. As well, a city council may not like seeing 5 iPads come through as a capital expense. There are many reasons why local governments might opt not to go to a mobile workflow. It's easier to stay with paper, but can you afford it?
We are offering a pre-loaded mobile solution for short-term projects. No software, subscription, data plan or techie geek required. Any field worker can be trained and collecting data (including photos) within minutes. After the project's completion, you get the data and walk away.
