Key features and benefits of ArcSquirrel
ArcSquirrel is an software product that extends ESRI's ArcView Geographical Information System (GIS) and turns into an editing client for Microsoft SQL Server without the need for additional middleware or higher licence levels. ArcSquirrel provides new ways of integrating spatial data with wider information management systems.
ArcSquirrel achieves this with no need for new specialist skills – a competent ArcGIS user and a database administrator will have everything up and running in minutes.
ArcSquirrel adds a toolbar into ArcMap, with tools for loading data into SQL Server, configuring layers based on these SQL Server tables, and starting/stopping editing.
As well as tables, ArcSquirrel layers can be based on views, i.e. SQL statements that return records containing spatial data. This allows layers to use server-side functions, such as table joins and spatial functions.
- Allows ArcMap to display and edit map data stored in SQL Server.
- Supports SQL Server 2000, 2005 or 2008 versions.
- ArcSquirrel layers behave like any other vector layer.
- Includes a wizard for loading any vector layer into the ArcSquirrel database.
- Supports connections to multiple schemas/databases.
- ArcSquirrel layers can be based on tables or views.
- Provides multi-user editing of ArcSquirrel feature classes.
- ArcSquirrel supports attribute domains and default values.
- Automatically populates feature-level metadata fields during editing.
- Stores ArcCatalog metadata in the ArcSquirrel database.
- Allows you to control user access rights with SQL Server permissions.
Why use ArcSquirrel?
If you already use ArcGIS, then ArcSquirrel brings you the benefits of storing your spatial datasets in an industry-strength database. This provides:
- Scalability (the ability to expand your datasets and numbers of users without compromise).
- Improved performance for multiple users over networks.
- Integration with other data management applications.
- Accessiblity to other OGC-compliant applications (web and desktop).
- Control over user access levels.
- Data security.
If you already use SQL Server databases, but are just starting to explore the spatial dimensions of your data, ArcSquirrel allows you to view, edit and analyse your data using ArcMap, the leading desktop GIS. This allows you to:
- Map and analyse your data to gain new insights.
- Use GIS without duplicating or splitting up information.
- Add GIS applications to your architecture without complex middleware.
- Manage OGC-compliant spatial data from desktop to web.
For more information, check out the Frequently Asked Questions page...
Screenshots
| Description | Screenshot |
|---|
| The ArcSquirrel menu and data in ArcMap |  |
| Importing a layer into SQL Server using ArcSquirrel |  |
| Administration of ArcSquirrel feature classes |  |
| Creating a new feature class based on an existing table/view |  |
| Preparing to edit ArcSquirrel data in ArcMap |  |