topic Re: Budget-Friendly Field Data Collection Apps for Volunteer-Driven Local Project in ArcGIS Field Maps Questions

Budget-Friendly Field Data Collection Apps for Volunteer-Driven Local Project

VogtBoat — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 19:45:37 GMT

I am reaching out to seek your recommendations on field data collection applications suitable for a local, budget-conscious non profit that is s interested in field data collection, specifically for gathering information on dikes, culverts, and flood gates with the help of volunteers.

I currently possess an ArcGIS Online account and a Standard Advanced ArcGIS Pro license. However, my ArcGIS Online credit budget is quite limited.

What license if any would the non-profit need to have several volunteers collect data in the field? What questions do they need to know the answer to so I can best inform them?

Re: Budget-Friendly Field Data Collection Apps for Volunteer-Driven Local Project

erKay_nv5 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 19:02:43 GMT

ArcGIS OL and Pro should do for GPS data. If you need to expand on that, ODK is a good free option that uses the XLSForm format that a lot of survey programs use.

It would also be worth reaching out to your local/regional GPS equipment supplier(s), many of them are also distributors for software, and they may have pricing for non-profits.

Re: Budget-Friendly Field Data Collection Apps for Volunteer-Driven Local Project

VogtBoat — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 19:29:55 GMT

Sorry, I do not understand. When you say "ArcGIS OL and Pro should do for GPS data." how is data collected in the field? with ArcGIS Field Maps? If so, how much does it cost the non-profit to use Field Maps? This would be several people collecting data with smart phones. Thanks : )

Re: Budget-Friendly Field Data Collection Apps for Volunteer-Driven Local Project

ClayDonaldsonSWCA — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 19:46:11 GMT

I would recommend survey123, since forms can be shared publicly. This would allow volunteers to submit data, without having to purchase AGOL licences.

Field Maps would require mobile worker or creator accounts.

Other free open source options exist, like ODK, QField, etc. These would require more set-up though.

Re: Budget-Friendly Field Data Collection Apps for Volunteer-Driven Local Project

BobBooth1 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 22:01:31 GMT

I agree with Clay - the volunteers could use publicly shared Survey123 web forms on their own devices as anonymous users. You could add a field for "volunteer name" if you wanted to track who collected what.

Re: Budget-Friendly Field Data Collection Apps for Volunteer-Driven Local Project

MartinBalaz — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:40:32 GMT

I’d recommend an open-source solution like Mergin Maps—it integrates seamlessly with QGIS and comes at a fraction of the costs. And it's easy to use.