ESRI Announces ArcGIS 9.2 is Now Shipping.

A Major Advancement for GIS, Making It Easier to Author, Serve, and Use Geographic Knowledge

REDLANDS, Calif. -- ESRI announced today the availability of ArcGIS 9.2, a significant release of ArcGIS that includes new productivity tools, data visualization and analysis capabilities, sophisticated cartographic tools, high-precision coordinate storage, and expanded support for standards.

This release also introduces a new workflow for authoring, serving, and using geographic data, allowing users to be more productive with geographic information system (GIS) technology. New client applications in combination with ArcGIS Server provide unparalleled access for a wide range of people including mobile workers, analysts, decision makers, and the public. Opening up geographic data and knowledge allows new and improved collaboration within organizations and on the Web.

"This is one of the biggest, most significant software releases in ESRI's history," said Jack Dangermond, ESRI president. "Version 9.2 represents a major advance in improving the tools that make GIS professionals more productive."

ArcGIS 9.2 demonstrates ESRI's commitment to support users in a wide

range of industries with a variety of system architectures. In addition to new features, this release includes improved documentation, quality, and performance. Highlights of the ArcGIS 9.2 release include the following:

* ArcGIS Server 9.2 delivers a complete Web GIS for spatial data management, visualization, and analysis. It is an open and interoperable server that supports a broad range of clients including ArcGIS Explorer, out-of-the-box browser-based applications, ArcGIS Mobile, and ArcGIS Desktop. ArcGIS Explorer supports a wide variety of 3D mapping services as well as geoprocessing services for spatial analysis. ArcGIS Mobile is included in the ArcGIS Server software developer kit and supports mobile application development for the .NET platform. In addition, models and applications authored with ArcGIS Desktop as GIS services can be used by all ArcGIS Server clients.

* A new method for storing cartographic representations and a suite of advanced drawing and symbolization tools help users automate tasks and perform the complete cartographic production process within the GIS. By integrating sophisticated cartographic tools with a database-managed system, users will save hours of manual work currently needed to re-create maps.

* New visualization and analysis tools allow users to create, play back, and export time-based animations and graphs of how processes evolve, thereby revealing patterns and trends that allow users to make better decisions.

* High-precision coordinate storage and greater flexibility in distributing enterprise GIS data expand the use of large GIS systems across dispersed offices and regions. Users can create and share complete or partial database replicates (copies), synchronize and reconcile edits and changes, and create archives of transaction histories, allowing for improved collaboration and data sharing between departments, organizations, and field staff.

* Expanded interoperability with spatial data makes it easier than ever to integrate disparate data from a variety of sources. It helps free the data from specialized silos for analysis, modeling, visualization, and sharing for better decision making. ArcGIS continues to support the growing array of open data standards including Open Geospatial Consortium GML Simple Features data, the ISO 19139 metadata standard, and DXF and KML. In addition, there is enhanced support for reading, exporting, and working with CAD drawings from AutoCAD and MicroStation.

* Usability and quality enhancements, such as an improved tables experience and new navigation tools and keyboard shortcuts, make users more efficient and productive in their GIS work.

ArcGIS 9.2 is a full release of ArcGIS Desktop (ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView, and ArcReader), ArcGIS Server, and ArcGIS Engine. All ArcGIS 9.1 users who are current on their maintenance will automatically receive ArcGIS 9.2 at no additional cost. Outside the United States, please contact your local distributor. For more information about ArcGIS 9.2, visit www.esri.com/whatsnew on the Web.

Founded in 1969, ESRI (www.esri.com) is the world leader in the GIS software industry. ESRI offers innovative solutions that help users create, manage, analyze, and display information to make timely decisions and solve problems they encounter every day. ESRI's comprehensive product line ranges from desktop GIS to GIS for the enterprise.