global mapper

GIS Software Comparison

Published June 24, 2012 | By Paul

GIS SoftwareWhen choosing your GIS software, being either a GIS specialist or organisation needing a complete GIS software package, it can be daunting deciphering the functional differences between offerings. For example, what is the difference between ArcView and ArcEditor, and why do the cost so much? Why is MapInfoclassed as more suitable for demographic data? And how can IntelliGIS cost a fraction of the price of ArcEditor yet offer so much functionality? To save you the headache, the software comparison below is a starting point for comparing ArcView, MapInfo, ArcEditor, IntelliGIS and Global Mapper.

MapInfo, ArcEditor, IntelliGIS & Global Mapper Compared

Criteria MapInfo ArcEditor IntelliGIS Global Mapper
Vendor Pitney Bowes ESRI ISS Blue Marble Geographics
Key
Features
  • Mapping & Printing
  • Spatial & Attribute
    Data Analysis
  • Visual Data Editting &
    CAD
  • Extensive demographic data
    modelling
  • Enhanced Data Access
  • Programming Environment

 
  • Mapping & Printing
  • Spatial & Attribute
    Data Analysis
  • Visual Data editting
  • Extensive data modelling.
  • Extensive analytical
    capabilities.
  • Mapping & Printing
  • Spatial & Attribute
    Data Analysis
  • Visual Data editting
  • Report & Map Templates
  • Programming Environment
  • easy to use viewer/editor capable of displaying the
    most popular raster, elevation and vector datasets (now including
    GeoPDF®!
  • convert, edit, mosaic, reproject, print, track GPS
  • utilize GIS functionality on your datasets
  •  unsurpassed technical support with no extra
    support fees!
Usability Regarded as one of the most usable GIS
offerings providing XP/Vista style interface.		 Windows 2000 style interfaces look dated,
though tools are still intuitive to use.		 Windows XP & Vista Style interface
provides familiarity with intuitive visual tools & wizards.		 Very easy to use although the “hidden” features can be
rather cumbersome to find.
Pro’s
  • Extensive demographic analysis
    & edittingtools.
  • Supports the latest database
    formats likeMS SQL 2008 Spatial .
  • Automatic feature options like
    labelling.
  • VB.NET & C#
    programming environment toadd MapInfo to other applications.
  • Map anti-aliasing coming soon.
  • Extensive product support.
  • Extensive analytical functionality
  • Extensive product support
  • Supports multi-user editting
  • Provides ready to use datasets like TIGER-2000 street
    maps.
  • Limited degree of appearance customizing using
    ArcReader wizards.
  • Supports 30+ data formats
    including Shapefiles,ArcSDE, MapInfo, OGIS, TIGER, Google KLM and more.
  • Store Data in any RDBMS using
    the full-wealthof database functionality available – like ArcSDE at no
    cost.
  • IntelliGIS Script Environment
    allows usersto develop extended functionality.
  • Create custom maps &
    reports.
  • Personal service & per
    request customisation.
  • Price
  • Supports hundreds of the best popular vector, raster
    and elevation data formats
  • 3D viewer
  • Capable of perfoming view shed analysis and watershed
    deliniation
  • Outstanding support
  • Price
Con’s
  • MapInfo data format
  • More attribute data focus than
    spatial
  • Price.
  • Locked into complex ESRI
    Object Model.
  • Frequent wholesale changes to
    Object Modelcreates version incompatabilities.
  • Locked into ESRI data format.
  • Price.
  • Relative smaller vendor than
    competitors likeESRI.
  • High-end analytical tools not
    included.
  • No SQL functionality
  • Small vendor
Price US$ 1994 approx.
per license. Not pricing is readily available
so approach reseller for quote.		 US$7000
per licensing plus maintenance costs. This excludes any ArcInfo
functionality which is an additional US$14,000.		 US$
1000 per license
(optional extensions & customisations cost extra)		 $399 per license
Verdict Very attractive & user-friendly
offering
& widely used for more demographic GIS needs. Its moderate
price
is preferred to ESRI products.
For attribute data focused GIS.		 Most extensive, spatially focused GIS, but
very costly & restrictive in terms of object model &
data
formats.
Only for very serious spatial GIS Specialists with budget.		 Best value
for money given
scope of functionality, openGIS, RDBMS use and data formats supported.
Choose IntelliGIS!		 Best Value for the money given scope of functionaltiy
and  supported formats!
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