Key features and benefits of GISquirrel

GISquirrel is an extension to ESRI's ArcGIS Geographical Information System that turns into an editing client for Microsoft SQL Server or PostGreSQL/PostGIS without the need for additional middleware or higher licence levels. GISquirrel provides new ways of integrating spatial data with wider information management systems.

GISquirrel achieves this with no need for specialist skills – a competent ArcGIS user and a database administrator will have everything up and running in minutes.

GISquirrel adds a toolbar into ArcMap/tab into ArcGIS Pro, with tools for loading data into SQL Server, configuring layers based on these SQL Server tables, and starting/stopping editing.

As well as tables, GISquirrel 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 data stored in SQL Server or PostGIS.
• Includes a wizard for loading any vector layer into the GISquirrel database.
• GISquirrel layers can be based on tables or views.
• Provides multi-user editing of GISquirrel feature classes, with an ArcGIS for Desktop Basic licence (formerly called ArcView®).
• GISquirrel supports attribute domains and default values.
• Automatically populates feature-level metadata fields during editing.
• Stores ArcCatalog metadata in the GISquirrel database.
• Allows you to control user access rights with SQL Server or PostGreSQL permissions.

If you already use ArcGIS, then GISquirrel 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, GISquirrel allows you to view, edit and analyse your data using ArcGIS, 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...

The GISquirrel menu and data in ArcMap

Importing a layer into SQL Server using GISquirrel

Administration of GISquirrel feature classes

Creating a new feature class based on an existing table/view

Preparing to edit GISquirrel data in ArcMap