Compare Web Map Analysis with Google Earth

[SueHohner]

Features common and not common to Web Map Analysis and GoogleEarth

[DanPatterson_Retired]

haven't seen anything.. perhaps comparing the data date differences would be a good start

[SueHohner]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for responding.  I've searched around on blogs, university sites, etc., and haven't found anything.  ESRI is promoting ArcGIS Earth as the comparable app.

Sue

[TimMinter]

Hi Sue,

Google Earth doesn't do any analysis (aka "geoprocessing"), only data visualization with some attribute reporting and linked information (URLs to web sites, pictures, and such).  Same with ArcGIS Earth as of version 1.2, so far as I can tell.

Web Map Analysis (Perform analysis—ArcGIS Online Help | ArcGIS) adds geoprocessing to the ArcGIS Online web mapping capabilities that largely cover all Google Earth capabilities.

Other notes:

• ArcGIS Online is a web technology with web maps, 3D scenes, analysis, and more
• Google Earth is a downloadable, locally installable client software package that can use web resources
• ArcGIS Earth is a downloadable, locally installable client software package that can use web resources.
  • My read is that Esri saw an opportunity to slip into Google's Enterprise Google Earth market space when Google vacated it, thus providing the opportunity to sell more supporting Esri software (desktop, server, online, etc.) to Google's existing customers

Cheers,

tim

[SueHohner]

Hi Tim,

SFWMD is going with ArcGIS Online, Web Maps and Web Apps as we phase out enterprise GE.  In preparation for presenting this to users, we are compiling comparisons of functionality.  Our team had hoped maybe some of the investigative work had already been done, but it appears not.

Hope all is well.  Thanks for responding.

Sue

[TimMinter]

Hi Sue,

SFWMD's retirement of the Google Earth Enterprise system is good news, especially since Google has retired it.  I'd put together a fairly high level comparison without spending too much time as follows:

1. Fire up Google Earth Enterprise client and identify each capability that SFWMD staff care about.  High level capabilities will be 3D data visualization and maybe 2D via the api;  adding points, paths, and image overlays; loading GPS data; printing to hardcopy and image files; measuring, emailing; allowing a data management team to deliver content via the Layers and Places panels; allowing users to deliver content via the Places panel; getting routing directions; creating fly-throughs and videos for presentations, etc.
2. Look for each desired capability in the ArcGIS Online help and make a link to it.  This maps the GE capability to the AGO capability for the users to review.
3. Highlight the cost savings to the agency from going back to managing one primary GIS platform instead of managing two GIS platforms - staff time, hardware, software licensing, double data management, and workflow design and maintenance.  This cost savings should free up staff time and funding to manage more and better enterprise data collections.  Maybe put some of the money toward an ability to avoid losing precious, historical aerial imagery data .

Should take 4-6 hours of staff time to draft the initial comparison, then untold hours to meet and meet and meet and meet.

I miss working with each and every one of you.  SFWMD rocks geoinfo.

tim

[SueHohner]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for your outline of procedures.  We are capturing these tests in a spreadsheet comparing functionality in GE, Basic Web Map, Web Map with ANALYSIS, SCENE and Web Apps (Widgets).  Will be developing in-house demos and training for users.

You can put your mind to rest regarding historical imagery.  (Ha! You are so dedicated that after all this time, you are still concerned about our imagery.)  We now have storage space available for all.  Have been working on inventory and migrating all to central repository.

Sue