-------- Original Message --------
Subject: esri vs mapinfo - summary of comments
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2004 09:50:38 -0400
From: Gene Shackman <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]

------------------




Thanks to everyone who has responded. Below are some extracts from the
comments and a few other things I found on the web. Basically, as a
summary, is that ESRI is more popular, powerful and complex, but harder to
learn, while MapInfo is also popular, for those who don't need as complex
use.

thanks again.

gene



ESRI has the majority of the market out there, so if you have to get or
share data with others (even in the future) ESRI would be the way to go.

ESRI products are more robust than Mapinfo. They have more advanced
functions, extensions, adds-on, etc. Also programmers are encouraged to
develop and exchange ideas of tools/functions for ArcGIS. So, I would say
ESRI targets a wider range of users, from novice to advanced users
(developers), while Mapinfo (I think) targets novice to mid-level users, or
users who doesn't need advanced GIS analysis tools. I love Mapinfo, though,
because it is easy to use and more stable. I found simple data editing is
much easier in Mapinfo than in ESRI products. For non-academic users, for
example for small-mid size businesses, community organizations, local
governments, I think Mapinfo is much easier to learn and use.

I find that MapInfo is easier to use and more intuitive in a lot of ways,
but for many functions, I find that ArcGIS is easier to customize which
gives it a lot of power.

A 1998 study found that MapInfo is more popular for large counties and
small cities. Large cities tend to use ESRI products (ArcInfo, Arcview,
others).

ArcGIS is by far the most popular to use here, but there are lots of bugs
that can leave you frustrated, some of these may have been addressed in
the newest version, but I have not had a chance to test it yet.

I think a strong point for the MapInfo software (at least for our purposes)
is the SQL language search.  Although the ESRI products utilize SQL
searching, the MapInfo search functionality is more flexible and can return
more customizable results than the ESRI products.


This review at the Office of Information Technology
http://oit.mo.gov/architecture/tamain.htm
indicates that ESRI products are the 'de facto' GIS software in county and
state agencies.

Review from 1999 from a person who posted an email note and summarized
responses.
http://spatialnews.geocomm.com/reviews/mifav.html


Review of MapInfo, April 8, 2002
http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2002/0408/tec-gis-04-08-02.asp
Has mainly positive things to say.
       As with previous versions, MapInfo offers users an attractive feature
set — backed by extensive consulting services — in an attractively priced
and scalable product line.
       If these limitations aren't deal killers for your agency or
department, you'll find MapInfo to be a very strong combination of power,
ease of use and affordability.

Review of Arcgis
http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2002/0415/tec-gis1-04-15-02.asp
       Make no mistake, ArcGIS and ArcIMS are not simple programs to learn,
particularly for map creators and editors. But the ESRI suite offers tools
and capabilities that can't be found in desktop GIS programs
       If there is a downside to ArcGIS — other than its high price tag — it
is the very profusion of tools it offers for map creation and analysis. If
you can't dedicate the staff resources to learning and employing ArcGIS and
ArcIMS, you'll be glad to know that the programs are backed by an extensive
community of developers and consultants.