Data Sources from ESRI

ESRI makes available many types of data (mostly for free) to use immediately with your ArcGIS or other GIS software. Some data can only be used by maintenance paying customers of ESRI, such as the University of Delaware, or have educational restrictions. Other data are available for free (or for sale) to everyone, such as from ArcWeb Services or ESRI BIS Solutions. Here are a few of the more popular methods for accessing ESRI data.

ESRI Data & Maps

The ESRI Data & Maps collection is a set of DVDs/CDs containing vector and raster data for local, national and global coverage. This data is distributed with most ESRI software products. Included is StreetMap USA, a detailed data set of addressed streets for the entire USA optimized for geocoding and quick display. Most vector data are in shapefile or SDC format, and rasters are in ESRI Grid, TIFF, or MrSID format. Also included are many predefined ArcGIS LYR files, ArcView 3 AVL files, XML metadata files, ArcGIS MXD files, and other information.

• ESRI Data & Maps and StreetMap USA 2006
• Other information from ESRI:
• ESRI Data & Maps with StreetMap USA web site
• ESRI Business Information Solutions
  

How can I obtain this data? UD is an annual subscriber to ESRI software maintenance and therefore receives all new releases of ESRI Data & Maps collections. UD personnel can access this data from the methods described below. Also note the strict access and use contraints as described in each dataset's metadata.

1. The DVDs and/or CDs are available at Morris Library's Digital Mapping Station and through Research & Data Management Services (RDMS). You can make copies of the data CDs or DVDs at either of these two locations.
   
   
2. All of the data is available in the RDMS Computing Lab. Each public machine has access to the shared file storage system, which contains all of the ESRI Data and Maps collection as well as other GIS data. All machines have CD and DVD burners. Just bring your blank media to the stations and copy the data that you need.
   
   
3. RDMS can make copies of the DVDs for you. Please send blank CDs or DVDs for each disk you want copied. RDMS will copy the data onto your disks, which you may then pick up or have sent to you through campus mail. Please contact RDMS for more information before you send us the disks.

Downloadable Data

[From the ESRI website...]

GIS users can access several popular geographic data sets in a variety of formats that are downloadable for immediate use with your GIS software. You can preview these data sets and then download selected areas in a ready-to-use GIS format such as an ESRI shapefile.

Some of the data may be downloaded for free while other data may be ordered through a simple e-commerce transaction.

Downloadable Data page on ESRI website.

Web Map Services

ESRI offers numerous free web map services available for anyone to use. They also offer a pay service for more sophisticated, current busines type of data as part of ArcWeb Services. These services can be accessed from most ESRI software products, including ArcGIS Desktop and the ArcExplorer and ArcReader free viewers. Some of the services may be OGC WMS/WFS compliant and can be accessed through any OGC WMS/WFS viewer.

Here are some sources of information on what services are available.

• ArcWeb Services for ArcGIS users
• Launch ArcExplorer Web and access services from Geography Network
• ESRI published services Geography Network
  
  
• Just browse the Geography Network for all services