Getting to the right place with ArcGIS Explorer

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:53:00 GMT

(Submitted by George Dailey, ESRI Education Program Manager)

I was setting up a meeting with the CEO of an ESRI business partner, US Computing, who will be in Dallas to discuss new student transportation software they have built. I recommended a Starbucks near my office and was sending him the address information, when I noticed something odd about the address Starbucks has listed on their Web site—basically, it’s wrong for location finding. It might be okay for mail delivery but not for someone unfamiliar with the area to arrive at/near the shop. Regardless, I still needed to get the CEO appropriate information.

It seemed yet another perfect activity for ArcGIS Explorer.

Using the Find Address task, I quickly mapped the supposed location Starbucks had on its Web site. While it’s in the vicinity, it plops the unsuspecting at an intersection on the wrong side of the shopping area which houses the coffee shop.

“What’s the Address Here?” task came to the rescue! Using this handy function, I positioned a point where I know the Starbucks to be and at the entrance of a perfect parking area. The task returned a more appropriate location finding/routing address for my partner to use. (NOTE: If this task does not appear in your Tasks listing, add it by going to the Tools Menu > Manage Tasks > Default Tasks, Add.)

Since I had mentioned the name of the shopping area to him, I used the “Create Notes” task to provide another landmark and a built-in Web pathway to the area’s information and stores, including the Starbucks.

With appropriate symbols, text, and popup placement, I saved my map and e-mailed (File menu > E-mail) the project file to my partner. He can now see exactly where he will be going and more importantly be able to create directions using the “Find Route” task that will actually get him to the shop.

Creating and sharing this map has “bean” easy to do.

ArcGIS Explorer Blog : Find Address

Getting to the right place with ArcGIS Explorer