What is Mobile GIS?

Advances in mobile computing and Cloud GIS are extending the reach of ArcGIS to a wide range of mobile devices and introducing new ways that organizations can leverage maps and apps.

Using Mobile GIS you can:

• Carry your maps to the field
• Use maps on devices when in the office and on the go
• Engage with your community using maps

Carry maps to the field

Today organizations are using Mobile GIS to modernize and streamline their field workflows. Utility workers that have relied on using paper map books to visualize a water or gas network are now using tablets and notebooks loaded with digital maps to leverage GPS to position their location on the map. Using digital maps in the field, organizations can reduce their dependency on paper products and provide more relevant, up-to-date information to field workers in a timelier manner.

Those same organizations are leveraging mobile devices to replace existing paper-based surveys (regulatory compliance, work order requests, census surveys) and asset collection surveys (inventory, facilities, hazard violations). Using mobile devices to collect and update spatial information improves the efficiency and accuracy of your field workforce.

Use maps when in the office and on the go

Knowledge workers, operations managers, and decision makers are leveraging mobile devices when in the office and on the go. ArcGIS on an iPad or Android tablet can be used to keep track of key performance indicators, provide situational awareness, and present/communicate status and objectives to others within the organization; they can be used as a redlining tool for managing and communicating change. Providing real-time awareness of your organization's day-to-day activities using maps leads to making better decisions.

Engage with your community using maps

Local governments, state agencies, and private organizations are using maps and mobile devices to engage with their community. Public works are supplementing their 311 systems with mobile applications that citizens can use to capture infrastructure hazards (pothole locations, graffiti, broken or damaged signs and streetlights) and submit them to the city to be fixed. Telecommunication companies are providing coverage maps and apps that engage with potential customers regarding availability and future plans. With maps on mobile devices, organizations and the customers they serve can share information.

Mobile GIS is for everyone

ArcGIS is available across smartphone and tablet platforms and can be used on rugged devices (both handheld and embedded systems) where field conditions require devices that can withstand exposure to water, can absorb shock, and are drop tolerant.

Mobile GIS applications share a few common characteristics:

• Lightweight—Mobile devices demand a small footprint and deployment model that happens over wireless networks or SD cards.
• Occasionally connected use—Connection to the Internet is not a guarantee. Mobile apps often require that users download maps to their device for offline use in the field. They can then re-establish a connection when back to the office and synchronize their updates.
• Configurable—Mobile apps are driven by workflows. These workflows are often driven based upon the content used by the application and maps can encapsulate information, tools, and user experience.
• Embedded—Many mobile apps are designed to embed GIS into existing devices that are mounted inside of a vehicle.
• Location aware—Devices are location aware and mobile applications leverage location services to drive their field workflows.

Ready-to-deploy applications

ArcGIS includes ready-to-deploy field applications that span the smartphone, tablet, and rugged device platforms:

• Mobile applications—Allow you to perform such tasks as collect data in the field, monitor operations, and query map layers. For a list of features available with each mobile application, view the help for each application, accessible from the Mobile Applications community.
• ArcGIS for Windows Mobile—Includes a task-driven mobile application optimized for Windows Mobile and Windows Tablet devices. The application can use either a web services architecture to synchronize information between the field and office or a desktop check-out and check-in workflow. Field maps and field workflows are configurable using a desktop application called Mobile Project Center. The application includes tasks for field map viewing, field inspection, and field data collection; it targets non-GIS professionals who are managing/collecting assets, are responding to incidents, and/or are in need of high accuracy GPS in harsh conditions that require fully disconnected use. ArcGIS for Windows Mobile includes an SDK (described below).
• ArcPad—Includes a map-centric application that focuses on field tasks that require relatively simple geographic tools. These tasks are typically performed on handheld and tablet computers. Providing a set of tools, ArcPad targets the GIS professional that demands flexibility and sophistication from the tools that they use. ArcPad is not recommended for use by non-GIS processionals; the level of training required is quite high.

ArcGIS Runtime SDKs

Developers can leverage native software development kits for each mobile platform and either extend the configurable applications or to build highly focused apps that target specific devices and workflow needs.

ArcGIS is available as native software development toolkits for both smartphone and tablet platforms as well as the Windows desktop and Windows Mobile platforms:

• Smartphones and tablets
  • ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Android—A Java developer toolkit used to develop Android applications that can be deployed within an organization or to Google Play.
  • ArcGIS Runtime SDK for iOS—A native Objective C developer toolkit used to develop iPhone/iPad and iPod touch applications that can be deployed within an organization or to the iTunes App Store.
  • ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Windows Phone—A Silverlight developer toolkit used to develop Windows Phone applications that can be deployed to the Zune Marketplace.
• Tablets, notebooks, and rugged mobile devices
  • ArcGIS Runtime SDK for WPF—A developer toolkit used to develop Windows applications that can be deployed within an organization.
  • ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Java—Java developer toolkit used to develop Java applications that can be deployed within an organization.
  • ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Windows Mobile—A developer toolkit used to:
    • Develop standalone applications and embed GIS functionality into existing applications for Windows Mobile and Windows running on notebooks, tablets, and desktops
    • Develop custom tasks/extensions for the ArcGIS for Windows Mobile field applications

The ArcGIS Web APIs for JavaScript and Flex can also be used to build cross-platform mobile applications, either as browser-based applications or native applications through the use of third-party tools. Developers can quickly provide connected mobile applications to multiple operating systems with minimal effort. If you need to target a mobile workforce that uses a wide range of devices (Apple, Android, Blackberry) and do not have the time or resources to build native applications, then building a cross-platform mobile web solution may be the right solution.

To learn more read about the following APIs:

• ArcGIS API for Javascript—Leverage the compact version of the Javascript API to target mobile devices. View mobile samples in the Mobile folder in the JavaScript samples area.
• ArcGIS API for Flex—Use the Flex Mobile framework with the Flex API to target mobile devices. View more about mobile applications with Flex.

Building mobile solutions

Building a great mobile solution starts with a good understanding of the needs and habits of your mobile workforce (are they in the office or out, connected to the web when working or not, working in harsh field conditions or in a vehicle, experienced with mobile devices or used to working with paper). Understanding their needs and habits will guide you to either build your own focused application using the SDKs or to configuring, and possibly extending, the ready-to-deploy mobile apps.

Critical to the success of the solution is to define and create the map resources used inside of your mobile applications. Workflows start with the building of a strong information model. For example, when replacing a paper-based workflow, the information type definition will drive the look and feel of the form that replaces paper. Using ArcGIS for Desktop you can build a strong information model and integrate content gathered in the field with your business systems.

Depending upon the scale of your field workforce (for example, 5–10 people) you may want to use ArcGIS for Desktop and manage deployment and synchronization of information directly using a PC.

If you are scaling to a larger field workforce (50–100) you may want to deploy your mobile solution using the web (ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS for Server). Using web services and the cloud you can manage a larger field workforce by having the field applications directly synchronize content.