ESRI + Microsoft SQL Server 2008

ArcGIS users now have access to SQL Server 2008. SQL Server 2008, combined with ESRI's powerful geodata management capabilities, will provide users with the tools they need to seamlessly consume, use, and extend location-based analysis for enterprise-scale computing and Web collaboration. The support is the result of a close, multiyear working relationship between ESRI and Microsoft Corp. in the development of the spatial extensions to SQL Server 2008.

A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, and analyzing geographically referenced information. ESRI’s ArcGIS is an integrated collection of GIS software products, providing a standards-based platform for spatial analysis, data management, and mapping. ArcGIS can be used via the Web, mobile devices, and desktop applications and can also be integrated with other enterprise systems such as work order management systems, financial systems, supply chain management, business intelligence reporting, and executive dashboards.

In SQL Server 2008, Microsoft introduces two new spatial types—Geography and Geometry—both of which are supported by ESRI. The new spatial types meet the needs of many ESRI GIS customers who have been asking for structured query language (SQL) access to spatial features stored in SQL Server to integrate spatial data with other enterprise applications.

“ESRI has supported SQL Server for many years and is taking full advantage of SQL Server 2008 to help our government, utilities, and commercial enterprise customers take the geographic approach to improving their business processes,” says ESRI president Jack Dangermond. “ESRI and Microsoft together provide the platform to organize and manage geographic information, leading to improved methods for analyzing and using information more effectively to make better decisions.”

ArcGIS Server 9.3 Enterprise enables ESRI’s support for SQL Server 2008 to extend across its ArcGIS 9.3 platform including server, desktop, mobile, and online technology. ESRI recommends installing the newly released Service Pack 1 for ArcGIS 9.3 for optimal performance with SQL Server 2008.

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