Mar 17, 2015 -- In the world of GIS, Esri’s ArcGIS Pro is causing quite a stir. For a company that is known for continual innovation, the scope of changes in Esri’s official release of ArcGIS Pro is one that has not been seen by its users since the shift from ArcINFO® Workstation to ArcGIS Desktop®: the tools are familiar, but they’re accessed in different ways. The new platform not only makes the shift from 32- to 64-bit processing, but it also changes the user interface entirely.

ArcGIS Pro’s ribbon-based layout offers the ability to toggle between different categories, much like Microsoft’s latest releases of the Office suite. There are some fantastic new features available that generate a wealth of value. One such feature is the ability to create Tasks, which allows a single user to create a sharable, step-by-step process that can guide others through a problem. Essentially, this allows a user to create a solution that can be referenced and utilized multiple times for the same reoccurring issue. This will undoubtedly offer an enormous amount of workplace efficiency, especially in departments with just one or two advanced GIS users working among a group of intermediate or beginner users. Other new features, such as being able to see what edits have been made during a session, and viewing both 2D and 3D maps side-by-side, offers a world of new functionality and convenience.

Companies that are adding ArcGIS Pro to their GIS suite would do well to invest in training that will get their users up and running quickly, in order to take advantage of the new features and current capabilities that Pro offers. It would also be beneficial for GIS Managers to attend training to help them determine their rollout strategy.

In order to assist with adaptation to this new version of ArcGIS, TeachMeGIS has developed a course which will familiarize current GIS users with the new Pro interface and the current functionality it possesses.

Their class: ArcGIS Pro Quick-Start for the GIS Professional is available for companies and individuals who desire a smooth transition to the updated platform. Regularly scheduled public classes will begin May 13th in their Houston based training center, and private classes can be scheduled anytime throughout the year.