What's new in ArcPad 10.2
The key features of ArcPad 10.2 improve integration with the ArcGIS system and streamline data collection. The ability to directly open ArcGIS feature services in ArcPad and to synchronize edits significantly improves the connected mobile user's workflow. For users that are committed to a desktop workflow that revolves around file sharing and distribution, integration with ArcGIS Online provides an alternative to Windows Mobile Device Center (or ActiveSync) connections and increases your ability to share projects and templates. In the field, use Quick Fields to automate attribute data collection with predefined expressions.
Data synchronization with feature services
ArcPad 10.2 supports data synchronization with ArcGIS 10.2 feature services. With the new data synchronization framework introduced in ArcGIS 10.2, ArcPad has the benefit of being able to synchronize incremental changes with the published service. When you combine your feature service with a customized Get Data for ArcPad checkout from ArcMap, you can have the best of everything—ArcPad forms, related tables, and feature synchronization.
ArcPad 10.2 also supports 10.0 and 10.1 feature services; however, their functionality is limited. 10.0 feature services only support a full download of features. This means that when you synchronize with 10.0 feature services that contain a large number of records, it may be slow. 10.1 feature services also only support a full download of features but do add support for related tables and editor tracking.
The support for communicating with feature services in ArcPad makes the ArcPad extension for ArcGIS Server of previous versions obsolete.
ArcPad package support and ArcGIS Online integration
ArcPad templates, a ZIP file containing ArcPad maps, shapefiles, and AXF files have been around for a long time. Now you can store your templates as an ArcPad project in ArcGIS Online for sharing with your team. Browse ArcGIS Online from within ArcPad to select a template and create a QuickProject from it. Once you collect your data in the QuickProject, upload this new ArcPad project to ArcGIS Online to share with others. Alternatively, upload the ZIP files that come from the Get Data for ArcPad tool in ArcMap for distribution to your field workers. Using ArcGIS Online to share templates and projects is a way for teams to move away from ActiveSync and Windows Mobile Device Centre for file sharing.
Quick Fields
To minimize the amount of editing of attributes performed in the field, Quick Fields provide an opportunity to automate data collection. Configure the default behaviour for each of your attribute fields before starting data collection and watch your form fill itself out. A configuration page in ArcPad allows you to build an expression containing common elements to define the content of a field. These elements include Unique ID, Incremental ID, Sequential ID, Date, UserName, X, Y, Length, Area, GPS X, GPS Y, GPS PDOP, GPS HDOP, GPS UTC, GPS EPE, and GPS Satellite Count.