What is Mobile GIS?

Advances in mobile computing and Cloud GIS are extending the reach of ArcGIS to a wide range of mobile devices and introducing new ways that organizations can leverage maps and apps.

Using Mobile GIS you can:

• Carry your maps to the field
• Use maps on devices when in the office and on the go
• Engage with your community using maps

Learn more about general mobile workflows

Ready-to-deploy applications

ArcGIS includes ready-to-deploy field applications that span the smartphone, tablet, and rugged device platforms:

• Mobile applications—Allow you to perform such tasks as collect data in the field, monitor operations, and query map layers. For a list of features available with each mobile application, view the help for each application, accessible from the Mobile applications community.
• ArcGIS for Windows Mobile—Includes the following:
  • Two task-driven mobile applications for the field, one for Windows tablet and notebook devices and another for Windows Mobile devices (or Windows Embedded Handheld devices). The applications target non-GIS professionals who work fully disconnected managing assets, responding to incidents, and/or collecting data with high-positional accuracy requirements. The applications can use either a web services architecture to synchronize information between the field and office or a desktop check-out and check-in workflow.
  • A desktop application for the office, called Mobile Project Center, that allows you to create, configure and deploy projects to field workers.
  • The ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Windows Mobile (described below).
• ArcPad—Includes a map-centric application that focuses on field tasks that require relatively simple geographic tools. These tasks are typically performed on handheld and tablet computers. Providing a set of tools, ArcPad targets the GIS professional that demands flexibility and sophistication from the tools that they use. ArcPad is not recommended for use by non-GIS processionals; the level of training required is quite high.

ArcGIS APIs

This section describes the ArcGIS APIs you can use to create native GIS applications for the platform of your choice or to build Internet applications for mobile use. For a full list of ArcGIS APIs, see Developing with ArcGIS.

Native SDKs (Runtime)

• ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Android—A Java developer toolkit you can use to develop Android applications that can be deployed within an organization or to Google Play.
• ArcGIS Runtime SDK for iOS—A native Objective C developer toolkit you can use to develop iPhone/iPad and iPod touch applications that can be deployed within an organization or to the iTunes App Store.
• ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Java—Java developer toolkit you can use to develop Java applications that can be deployed within an organization.
• ArcGIS Runtime SDK for OS X—A developer toolkit you can use to create high-speed, lightweight, on- or offline applications.
• ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Qt—A developer toolkit you can use to create high-speed, lightweight, on- or offline applications for Windows and Linux desktop and in-vehicle mounted devices.
• ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Windows Mobile—A developer toolkit you can use to:
  • Develop standalone applications and embed GIS functionality into existing applications for Windows Mobile and Windows running on notebooks, tablets, and desktops
  • Develop custom tasks/extensions for the ArcGIS for Windows Mobile field applications
• ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Windows Phone—A Silverlight developer toolkit you can use to develop Windows Phone applications that can be deployed to the Windows Phone Store.
• ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Windows Store apps—A developer toolkit you can use to create high-performance apps that easily integrate with ArcGIS Online.
• ArcGIS Runtime SDK for WPF—A developer toolkit you can use to develop Windows applications that can be deployed within an organization.

Web APIs

You can use ArcGIS Web APIs for JavaScript and Flex to build cross-platform mobile applications, either as browser-based applications or native applications through the use of third-party tools. These APIs help you quickly provide connected mobile applications to multiple operating systems with minimal effort. If you need to target a mobile workforce that uses a wide range of devices (Apple, Android, Blackberry) and don't have the time or resources to build native applications, then building a cross-platform mobile web solution may be the right solution.

• ArcGIS API for Javascript—Use the compact version of the Javascript API to target mobile devices. View mobile samples in the Mobile folder in the JavaScript samples area.
• ArcGIS API for Flex—Use the Flex Mobile framework with the Flex API to target mobile devices. View more about mobile applications with Flex.

Building mobile solutions

Building a great mobile solution starts with a good understanding of the needs and habits of your mobile workforce (are they in the office or out, connected to the web when working or not, working in harsh field conditions or in a vehicle, experienced with mobile devices or used to working with paper). Understanding their needs and habits will guide you to either build your own focused application using the SDKs or to configuring, and possibly extending, the ready-to-deploy mobile apps.

Critical to the success of the solution is to define and create the map resources used inside of your mobile applications. Workflows start with the building of a strong information model. For example, when replacing a paper-based workflow, the information type definition will drive the look and feel of the form that replaces paper. Using ArcGIS for Desktop you can build a strong information model and integrate content gathered in the field with your business systems.

Depending upon the scale of your field workforce (for example, 5–10 people) you may want to use ArcGIS for Desktop and manage deployment and synchronization of information directly using a PC.

If you are scaling to a larger field workforce (50–100) you may want to deploy your mobile solution using the web (ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS for Server). Using web services and the cloud you can manage a larger field workforce by having the field applications directly synchronize content.