ArcGis beginner with a couple of noob questions

[TerryMergl]

Good day to all.  I am still new to ArcGis and the ArcCatalog applications and learning quite a bit just playing around in ArcGis.  Our engineers use a 3rd party application that runs ArcEngine.  I use ArcMap to assist with entry level requests such as symbology; field editing and the odd intersect request.  I am not a drawer - the path that I am on is more of a data support guy

So with that abbreviated opening - I am more interested in finding out what others would recommend as in continued education with ESRI classes.  I have ArcGis 1 and 2 under my belt.  Editing Data with ArcGis for Desktop is next on the list, then building / managing geodatabase.

Since our engineers use a 3rd party app w/ArGEngine they do not have access to all the tools yet that ArcMap provides.  So the requests are getting a bit more complicated for a beginner.  We are a small Telecom that must provide data for the broadband portal initiative which I believe is almost over and other federal requests for service boundaries, etc.

Any advice for classes/education would be greatly appreciated.

Second question is (and Im pretty sure I know the answer after reading in the forums).  We use SQL as our database.  Our .mxd file contains a lot of layers as displayed in my TOC.  I'm curious what is the best method to share / provide our mapping to another engineering firm?  I am not sure they want a ton of shapefiles, however they will accept the shapefiles graciously.  What would be considered a more efficient way to share - and I suppose it would depend on the capabilities of the receiving parties?

Thank you as always

Terry

[DanPatterson_Retired]

As for one...whatever suits you...everyone will have their own opinion.

As for 2...If they are GIS sentient, then a File Geodatabase zipped with a 'transportable' project (.mxd)...if not, zip the shapefiles and project (also transportable) since you are just distributing 'show-me' stuff so there will be no difference to them in the end.

ArcGIS online another option and many other possibilities, but I would check with the receiving end first then match their needs with your skills (or one to take a course for).

[RebeccaStrauch__GISP]

​you may want to look at ArcGIS Help (10.2, 10.2.1, and 10.2.2) mmap packages if you are sharing the actual mxd and data. As Dan mentioned, I would recommend file geodatabbases (fgdb) over shape files. They have a big more "smarts" built in.

if you have ArcGIS server, you can also think about providing services.  you can use services and create you own web based sites to provide to you engineering firms, especially if you don't want to provide the data itself.  There are many method/options, with ArcGis Online/Portal being a couple, and Web Application Builder developers edition (javascript) being anotheir popular option if you need to customize mire than online will provide.

[TerryMergl]

I appreciate the info and responses.  Just waiting on the recipient to inform me what format they can use.

Thanks again
Terry