Latest Contributions by Katie_Decker

Recently, Esri participated at the TechCrunch Disrupt NY 2017 Hackathon, May 13-14, and Conference, May 15-17, in New York, NY. #TCdisrupt debuts revolutionary startups, introduces game-changing technologies, and discusses what’s top of mind for the tech industry’s key innovators. The hackathon occurs the weekend before the Disrupt conference. Over 750 developers from all over took part in a 24-hour coding test of endurance. At the hackathon we provided free ArcGIS Developer Subscriptions and credits to developers creating apps that included mapping, visualization, analysis, imagery, authoritative data and more. Hackers could build web, mobile, and desktop apps for any device. The lucky Esri prize winner received a $5,000 prize ($2,500 cash, plus $2,500 ArcGIS Online subscription).  Congratulations to our winner SafePath! While we could only pick one winner, we had a few other honorable mentions we wanted to share. You can view all the submissions here. Learn more about our winner and other Esri submissions below: SafePath SafePath is an Android app built by four students from Rutgers University. This project won the Esri $5,000 prize for the best integration of Esri technology in a hack. SafePath is a mobile app that notifies you when you enter a geofence designated as a recent area of hostile activity and offers you a safe route to a safe zone. The app used the ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Android together with the PubNub block we provided for geofence notification. The team utilized the night streets vector base map and added features to visualize where hostile activity was taking place and where the safe zones were located. Hostile data was aggregated from several sources including crowdsourcing and social media and then added to a hosted feature service. When the device entered a hostile polygon, or recent activity indicates the device is now inside the hostile geofence, the app sends a SMS message using PubNub to contacts registered with the app. Then it invokes Esri’s routing task to determine a route to the nearest safe zone and visualize that route on the map. The team was eager to continue working on SafePath after the hackathon and experimenting with other Esri technology. They plan to update the visual rendering with a heatmap and improve the real-time collection of data. Congratulations to our TechCrunch Disrupt NY 2017 winners! BackMap These developers found that 17,000 pedestrians were injured in the past year and wanted to create a system to help pedestrians, the visually impaired, and cyclists navigate through streets and buildings without ever pulling out their phone to distract them. BackMap is a system that includes a backpack with a vibration motor in the right and left strap of the backpack, an application to input navigation data, and a set of BLE beacons. This allows us to create two different navigation scenarios, one indoors and one outdoors. For the outdoors scenario, the user inputs a location, and the backpack leads you to that location by vibrating the right strap whenever you should turn right, and vibrate the left whenever you should turn left. This helps the visually impaired, pedestrians, and bikers navigate busy streets, along with anyone not able to constantly monitor their phone. This navigation and routing is performed using the Esri directions PubNub block. The project was built with Esri ArcGIS API for JavaScript, PubNub, ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Android, with geocoding, routing, and mapping services. Learn more in this TechCrunch feature. Wheelable Wheelable was inspired by personal experiences with accessibility. Wheelable is a web service that helps identify venues that have accessible facilities such as elevators, ramps, escalators, and others. Wheelable allows its user to review a location when it is not accessible for users with mobility disabilities to improve their experience organizing trips. The project was built with Esri ArcGIS API for JavaScript, PubNub, Node, Express, Handlebars, and MongoDB. Congratulations to the winners and other hacks! Supporting a hackathon requires a lot of energy, focus, and time, but is incredibly rewarding. Seeing eyes light up as people start to see what our GIS tools can do for them makes our work worthwhile, and at each hackathon we support, we see the work that’s been leveraged from developers.arcgis.com really paying off with teams integrating more advanced geo development than they had previously. Many thanks to the awesome team at TechCrunch, and especially to all the hackathon contestants and Disrupt attendees who chose to learn more about Esri and ArcGIS. We look forward to participating in TechCrunch Disrupt SF in September and hope to see you there. ... View more

Brady Hustad, President, Argis Solutions expands on Augmented Reality (AR) and the importance of data and GIS to preform analytics, visualizations, and better understand our world. View on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2qXbdpI . ... View more

Announcing AntrisPro+: New Workplace Efficiency Tool Reduces Administration & Supports Employee Safety, http://p.ctx.ly/r/4bqn. Responding to a shift in workplace culture as an increasing number of employees work alone or remotely, AntrisPro+ combines the latest in GIS tracking technology and geo-fencing, with Antris' signature time-interval check-ins to enable organizations to save time and reduce costs while improving team safety and workflow. Antris is a Esri Startup Program member and Emerging Business Partner. AntrisPro+ is fully integrated with Esri’s ArcGIS platform, supporting ArcGIS Identities (Named User Logins), and route optimization on both web and mobile platforms for users. Navigator for ArcGIS integrates with mobile apps to provide driving directions. Armed with Esri's powerful integration of geography and analytics, AntrisPRO+ will be able to reveal deeper insights into location data, enabling customers to make better-informed decisions about keeping employees safe and optimizing resources. Learn more: http://p.ctx.ly/r/4bqn Partner Listing ArcGIS Marketplace AntrisPRO App ... View more

Esri Teams with IBM to Offer Cutting-Edge Spatial Analytics to Developers in IBM Bluemix Cloud. IBM's New Cloud Environment Opens a World of Tools to Leverage Location Strategies for App Builders. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2nvKO1d. ... View more

Learn how to build geospatial apps through three foundational phases: Data, Design, & Develop. You can develop an app in 15 minutes, get started today: http://arcg.is/2nK4qeK ... View more

Improved performance, design and availability—the new Mapillary for ArcGIS Online app is now on the ArcGIS Marketplace. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2knqb5J ... View more

This blog follows Program Benefits in the Orientation Series Esri Startup Program Event Benefits: As part of the benefits package actively enrolled startup partners receive two (2) complimentary registrations to each of the following premier Esri events: Esri User Conference (Esri UC), the world’s biggest GIS event, GIS professionals and developers, covering content on how to implement and use the technology across hundreds of thousands of organizations. Esri Federal GIS Conference (FedGIS), a focused event for government leaders and civic professionals in Washington, D.C. offers partner exhibits, inspirational sessions, training, and networking to showcase how agencies are using GIS to power a more profound understanding of effective solutions. Esri Developer Summit (DevSummit), designed to show you how to build cutting-edge apps using advanced mapping technology. Network with mapping GIS enthusiasts and access hundreds of technical sessions to deploy web, desktop, and mobile environments. (Also, if supported, global DevSummit's DC, Europe, & Middle East/Asia (MEA)) Esri Partner Conference (EPC), is a partner-only exclusive annual meeting for Esri's global partner network, Esri staff, and distributors who are reshaping the world through the application of geospatial technology. Please check the Esri event site for the most up-to-date details and COVID health & safety requirements. Exhibit Opportunities: Go-to-market ready startups also receive consideration to apply to exhibit at "Startup Zone", low-cost exhibitor opportunities for eligible Startup Partners to showcase your product offering at select Esri events.  2024 Future Events - Save the Date & Register: FedGIS (Washington, DC), 2/13/24 - 2/14/24 - Registration Open! EPC (Palm Springs, CA), 3/10/24 - 3/11/24 - Registration Open! DevSummit (Palm Springs, CA), 3/12/24 - 3/15/24 - Registration Open! UC (San Diego, CA), 7/15/24 - 7/19/24 - Registration Open! UC Exhibit & Speaking Opportunities: Jan 2024 - Exhibit Applications Open for Startup Zone (SUZ) - $3,250: An invite-only opportunity for qualified startup partners providing a discounted all-inclusive exhibitor package AND demo talk in the expo's SUZ. Applications are open, but acceptance is at Esri's sole discretion,  Apply Here. Oct/Nov 2023 UC Session Speaking Ops: Abstract submissions for session talks open the year prior for a short 1-2 month period in Oct/Nov. Note - Important - Not Included: Not included: Add-on pre-summits or training workshops and need to be purchased.  Not included: Additional Passes must be purchased. Partners and exhibitors have discounted rates. How to Register: To register, come prepared with a My Esri ArcGIS Login that is linked with your Esri customer # associated with your Startup Partner organization.  To register another attendee, you must enter their Esri Account Username & Last Name VIEW DIRECTIONS - How to Connect Your Customer Number to Your Organization: The individual registrant needs to sign in with an ArcGIS login connected to your organization's My Esri account. Your staff can request, or you can associate staff with your customer number via My Esri “My Organizations"->” Users”-> ”Manage or Invite”.  Need Help? Contact accounts@esri.com for Esri Account questions and information or Customer Service.  Once logged in, select the registration option, "Startup Partner," which should display a $0 comp rate. See example from DevSummit: Having trouble? - QUESTIONS should be directed to the following: Troubleshoot login & My Esri issues with Customer Service (Startup team CANNOT troubleshoot My Esri/ArcGIS logins). Registration: confregis@esri.com Exhibits: exhibits@esri.com If you are unable to solve an issue with our support or events team, please email startups@esri.com Pro-tip: We suggest you sign in to your My Esri account before you begin the registration process (make sure you’re logged out of any other accounts in other windows). Your customer number should be linked to your My Esri account, which recognizes your company as an Esri Startup Partner within the Partner Network (EPN).  Benefits gained by participating in Esri events: Learn how to expand your client base and serve your existing users more strategically. Get exclusive technology previews for a head start in preparing your plans to synchronize with our new products and updates. Discover new sales opportunities and expand your network with leaders in the GIS community. Remember to submit your apps screenshots to esri.com/special/submissions to be considered for use in the plenary. Blog Return: Program Benefits. Next: Acceptance & Onboarding. Program Benefits Event Benefits Acceptance & Onboarding Access Your Software Access EPN Partner Benefits Patterns for Success Platform Technical Alignment ... View more

Add an Esri Vector Basemap to Your App: By DCarroll-esristaff: The Esri Startup Program hosted a technical webinar, Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016 titled, Harness the Power of Vector Basemaps with Esri, offering emerging partners a chance to learn about how to boost the visual experience in their apps with Esri Vector basemaps and layers. Doug Carroll from Esri discussed the different vector basemap offerings, the global coverage, how to customize the style of your basemaps and how to develop with this awesome content. Guest speaker, Todd Berry, CTO of Snaptrends, an Esri partner and successful small business will elaborate on why they chose to implement Esri Vector Basemaps in their product offering. View the recording here: attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8277590103654127106. View the slides here. Why Use Vector Tiles? As technology continues to evolve it’s important to consider when implementing new product improvements or features is truly a good fit. This is something Todd Berry, CTO of Snaptrends did immediately after Esri released vector basemap services. Developers like Todd are now exposed to dozens of layer types such as feature layers, vector tile layers, hosted tiled layers and visual objects like Web Maps and Web Scenes. With so many different types, important decisions need to be made.  To help developers make the right decision, the Esri Startup Team decided to draw special attention to vector maps (aka vector tile services) because we think they’re an invaluable asset to create an impressive visual experience. To recap the webinar, we’ve outlined some important details to evaluate, starting with asking when it’s right to implement vector mapping: Consider vector maps when the following requirements need to be met: When building mobile apps on high resolution devices When GPU's can be taken advantage of (but watch out for IE support) When showing thousands of features at once When you have a workflow for onboarding new data and recreating vector tile caches When should you not consider using vector maps? When your app requires editing, as there are no editing capabilities currently available on vector tiles. For editing use feature layers. When your app needs to display real-time data. For real-time data, consider stream layers or setting a refresh interval on a feature layer. For most imagery content. Imagery is best served out as image service layers because there are loads of capabilities on Images Services to work with images. Now if you’re feeling a little lost thinking about vector maps, that’s ok. Let us explain what vector maps are. If you think textbook you may be thinking vector maps are discrete data projected into a geographic space. That is true, but it leaves out how vector layers are implemented inside web, mobile and desktop clients. The fundamental difference between vector maps (as in vector tile layers) and the variety of other forms of vector layers is in how rendering and data parsing is implemented– aka it’s the code behind that makes vector tile layers different from feature layers, KML, GeoJSON, etc. What are vector maps? Vector tiles (aka vector maps) are a special layer type that taps into a system’s GPU for rendering. Vector layers make it possible to stylize and show discrete data. Vector layers transfer data in the form protobuf (protocol buffers tile format) which like raster png and jpg tiles is very performant (but when the client receives the file – the file is a much higher in resolution). Vector tiles can come from a single data source (a single shapefile or feature class) or can be made from many data sources. What is the difference between Esri vector basemaps and vector maps? Functionally both are the same layer type.  The difference is content. Esri Vector Basemaps are a set of highly curated, high quality production basemaps for people to use how they see fit. There are a set of 9 tile layers and 9 web maps of our basemaps found here. What makes Esri vector basemaps special? Big visual impact, it's like high definition mapping. Impressive labels that rotate. Vector layers in many ways merge together the best qualities of tile mapping and JSON based mapping. Clients can draw and stylize millions of features instantly, without creating enormous tile caches. Vector maps can be stylized, using simple styling code or by using apps like ArcGIS Pro as well as other open source projects like the arcgis-vectortile-style-editor or Vector Style JSON Editor (beta). Vector maps are standards-based and interoperable. Unlike other layer types, when implemented they make use of system Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) which accelerate rendering. Content gets painted on the fly vs assembled together in a series of images. Noteworthy: GPU access is now becoming cross platform. On devices (OpenGL) In browsers (WebGL) On desktop machines (DirectX, OpenGL) Even in virtualized systems (vGPU) Vector tiles will not display messages to users saying they have exceeded the number of features they can view/draw. How can I create my own vector tile data using feature classes and shapefiles? Tile creation in ArcGIS Pro 1.2 Publish tile layers in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Server/Portal 10.4 Tile consumption ArcGIS Runtime Quartz – Beta 2 ArcGIS JavaScript 3.15+ and 4.0 APIs ArcGIS Pro 1.3 needed for packing tiles for offline vector tile implementations With these details now listed out, we hope the process for choosing vector maps over other layer types becomes a bit easier. Keep monitoring the Esri blog series supporting vector basemaps, blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/tag/vector-basemap. Lastly, please do check out our Vector Basemap gallery, arcgis.com/home/group.html?id=30de8da907d240a0bccd5ad3ff25ef4a. All the vector basemaps there are ready for use and can be plugged into existing Web Maps or put into a custom application.  Happy mapping! ... View more

Hot off the Press! #EsriStartups Newsletter, July 2016 http://arcg.is/2axW2NI. Get the latest Esri Startup Program community news, events, and technology highlights. This edition features a wide range of Esri Startup Partner achievements across varying sectors such as Upstream Research, Quorum Analytics, Valor Water Analytics, Inc, DataCapable and more, including, ArcGIS integration announcements from Maptiks and Echosec. Not signed up for the newsletter? Sign up here: http://arcg.is/1Qz16h7. ... View more

This blog follows Acceptance & Onboarding. Return to the Orientation Series. Startup Program: Patterns for Success Our goal is to develop useful and simple patterns for success for our Esri startup partners. Follow these four simple go-to-market steps to ensure your success: Enter the Program Deliver an ArcGIS Integration Press & Co-Marketing Co-Selling Get Started: 1. Enter the Program Activate software, start here Access partner benefits & add team members to Partner Community Portal, learn more here.  Add Esri partner emblem to website (Download your Esri Startup Partner Emblem) Engage on social @EsriStartups Announce our partnership with a press release, view the benefits we provide: Creating Your Press Releases. Update Partner Directory 'Find a Partner' Listing within the Partner Community Portal (Activation requires an Esri ArcGIS integrated MVP we will approve), contact startups@esri.com. Attend Esri events using your free pass benefits, learn more.  2. Deliver an ArcGIS Integration Reach out to startups@esri.com if you require guidance after reviewing the following resources below. Implement as many of the ArcGIS Technical Alignment Characteristics as possible. Leverage ArcGIS authentication and Identity Management tools Take advantage of unlimited free e-learning training and developer tutorials. Add Esri logo in maps and apps Attribution in your app: developers.arcgis.com/terms/attribution Attribution for marketing: There are various guides available in the Partner Community Portal, Tell us how things are progressing! 1-2 week notice to schedule demo with Startup Team to review integration, startups@esri.com. Apply for ArcGIS Marketplace, Esri's global app store, learn more. 3. Press Support & Co-Marketing Update Partner Directory Listing within the Partner Community Portal, Publish a Press Release on your integration announcement- We offer PR Support for Startups, Creating Your Press Releases Develop a launch strategy to help promote integration Use your free passes or exhibit at a discounted rate at Esri events in Startup Zones (invite only), learn more.  4. Co-Selling Build and execute partner presentation demo to key Esri staff and partners, email startups@esri.com for presentation template Develop partner success stories, blogs, articles. Exhibit in startup zone showcases at key Esri events (by invite only), or attend with comp pass benefits Following these four steps, you should be well-positioned to successfully Go-To-Market (GTM) and grow your partnership with Esri. Questions? email startups@esri.com.   Blog Return: Acceptance & Onboarding. Next: ArcGIS Technical Alignment Program Benefits Event Benefits Acceptance & Onboarding Access Your Software Access EPN Partner Benefits Patterns for Success ArcGIS Technical Alignment ... View more

What Is Location-Based Social Media Searching? by Echosec Location-based social media searching is a new and emerging space. So it’s not surprising that many of the people Echosec speaks with have never heard of it and aren’t sure how it can benefit them and their business. So here you go, their 30-second informative spiel on location-based social media searching (in infographic form): http://bit.ly/2a1tKe6 ... View more

Using GIS to Form Resilient Public Health Plans: As Negative Health Effects from Climate Change Grow, Sophisticated Technology Will Guide Preparation By Alex Philp, Ph.D.,  Upstream Research, http://arcg.is/29usf7W ... View more

New #EsriStartups Newsletter, April Edition http://arcg.is/1MpO9XI! Get GIS related news, tips and tricks, and engaging stories about how Esri Startup Partners and emerging businesses use ArcGIS, developer tools, data and more. Sign up for our #EsriStartups Newsletter: arcg.is/1KKY3eV  Or preview the archives: September 2015 | November 2015 | January 2016 | April 2016 ... View more

The objective of this blog is to educate Esri Startup Program members on ArcGIS Marketplace and the benefits of becoming a Provider. Our team recently hosted a webinar on the topic, Expanding Your Reach with ArcGIS Marketplace, April 4, 2016, if you missed it, you can view the recording here: attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3592822842655164161. Introducing ArcGIS Marketplace The ArcGIS Marketplace is a destination that enables ArcGIS users around the world to easily search, discover, and get apps and content from Esri and qualified Providers for use within their organization. Providers are, Esri Business Partners, Esri Distributors, Esri Startups or Emerging Partners, and Esri. All the apps in the Marketplace are built to work with ArcGIS Online so they can easily be shared with ArcGIS Online groups and users within your organization, making it easier to find apps and data that serve visitor’s needs. Who can be a Provider? Whether you're a long-time partner or new to Esri, you are just a few steps away from becoming an authorized provider. Are you an Esri Partner? Sign up on the Esri Partner Community. Log in and browse to the Campaigns to start the application process. Are you new to Esri or not a partner? Apply here: partnercommunity.esri.com  Benefits of Becoming a Provider: We make it easier for you to generate leads, connect with worldwide users, and provide free trials. Here is a list of additional benefits: Access to the global ArcGIS user community! Keep all of the sales revenue from your listing(s) (small fee for e-commerce service) Provide trials and get qualified leads Leverage the e-commerce integration (begin leveraging in May 2016) Differentiate your products / content Manage subscriptions and renewals Be a part of global marketing and sales campaigns How are Providers Being Successful? App providers represented in ArcGIS Marketplace include GEO Jobe, Mapillary, what3words, Antris, Maptiks, and more. Marketplace Content providers include AccuWeather, Blackbridge, Hexagon, Airbus Esri, and many more. Esri Partner, GEO Jobe, highlights their success and experience with the ArcGIS Marketplace. GEO Jobe offers development and consulting packages, working with clients to identify opportunities where GIS technology can increase operational efficiency and then implement solutions that allow for these opportunities to be capitalized on. They also feature the top three most popular Marketplace apps, were an early adopter, and provision their applications to 2,500+ organizations and growing daily. GEO Jobe offered a few tips and benefits on how they are being successful with ArcGIS Marketplace: Bundle your product with an existing Esri business partner Increased exposure in Esri ecosystem by partnering together Direct marketing to existing clients on both sides Modify existing apps and products for ArcGIS Marketplace readiness In-App advertising of your product to users of our applications. Lead generation, direct contact information for users Brand building and name recognition App ratings and comment feedback High rated search engine optimization Strong linkbacks for SEO on your main site We strongly encourage you to explore leveraging the trusted expertise of Esri Partners such as GEO Jobe as you prepare to go to market. Doing so, you can gain critical business intel and best practices, get to market fast and quickly discover the power of the ArcGIS Platform. How do I Become a Provider? Being a Provider means you’re ready to sell your app on ArcGIS Marketplace. To learn more about the requirements and process visit: https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis-marketplace/become-provider.  To help our startups get a jump start we’ve prepared a Marketplace Readiness Checklist* divided into four main topic areas: Product Readiness Marketing Readiness Support Readiness Sales Readiness Marketplace Readiness Checklist* Product Readiness The potential provider is out of beta and actual user testing has been completed The potential provider has built its app/solution with the right Esri SDK or API. We want to ensure you are using the right Esri tools for the type of solution you are looking to achieve. developers.arcgis.com.  Web API’s ArcGIS Runtime SDK’s App Builders (Web App Builder, etc.) Does your app or content meet the ArcGIS Marketplace and ArcGIS Online OAuth 2.0 criteria? Leverage ArcGIS Online subscriptions—Apps listed in the marketplace add value to the ArcGIS Online subscription. The apps provide focused solutions and specialized functionality that can be used in conjunction with content associated with the customer's ArcGIS Online account User login with OAuth 2.0—ArcGIS Marketplace targets accounts within ArcGIS Online subscriptions and, therefore, all apps listed in the marketplace must require users to securely sign in to the platform using OAuth 2.0 Does your App or Solution require other Esri products?  If so which ones?  ArcGIS Enterprise, Desktop, or Pro for example.  Ensure your app isn’t using any Esri service that has or will be deprecated in the near future? If your product is based on the Runtime SDK’s, does it support offline workflows that consume the initial offline basemaps from ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise and does it include a Sync Enabled Geodatabase with proper Runtime licensing? Other questions to ask – Deployment model - Fully cloud-based, hybrid or on-premises. Ensure users understand these important characteristics. What type of security issues does the ultimate user need to consider? How do you plan on providing updates or bug fixes for users?  What is coming in your longer-term roadmap?  What does the current competitive landscape look like and how is your product different?  Do we have sufficient “self-help” support and documentation for the Product available?  Marketing Readiness Esri partner logo on website When applicable, Esri map displayed on Providers app and marketing (webpages, fliers, etc) Provider is meeting the Esri branding guidelines for the App as well as their organization representation of our partners. (Access guidelines on Partner Portal) Esri Partner Directory populated and educates the community about your company and solutions Product solving an ArcGIS user problem – value proposition to our users is clear You understand the addressable market for this product. Are you ready to educate Esri teams on the value of your offering? Is your App or Content applicable to one or more Esri Industry Sector teams? Your product has a “dedicated” landing page on your website. You have all the necessary marketing content ready to ensure your Marketplace listing is as clear and informative as possible (screenshots, images, YouTube video, etc.) Your marketing plan, social media strategy, and more targeted campaigns are ready to be executed.   Support Readiness What are your plans for supporting users with technical issues? Do you offer sufficient self-help support documentation? Do you have staff ready to provide support? If so, phone or email? If phone, what are the hours? Is there a workflow / capability for users to submit issues (bugs)? Sales Readiness You have staff that is ready and capable to support purchase requests, trial request follow-up meetings, sales development activities and lead qualification. How do you process orders / take payment today if applicable and how would the Marketplace possibly augment this.  Are you ready to educate Esri Sector teams (sales pitch)?  Do you have the have sales materials ready? *This checklist is a guideline, always refer to marketplace.arcgis.com for the most up to date requirements, guidelines, and common questions. Are you a startup partner ready to sell your app or content on ArcGIS Marketplace, apply to become a provider. We want to help get you access to the largest GIS user base in the world and make it easy for you to connect with users, provide free trials, and generate leads.     ... View more