View source for Esri

{{Short description|American geospatial software company}}
{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with [[Ezri]]. For the Irish think tank, see [[Economic and Social Research Institute]].}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.
| trade_name = Esri
| logo = [[File:Esri_logo.svg|200px|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| image = ESRI Headquarters Entrance.jpg
| image_caption = Entrance to lobby at Esri headquarters in Redlands
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| industry = [[Software industry|Software]]
| founded = {{start date and age|1969}} in [[Redlands, California]], U.S.
| founders = {{ublist|[[Jack Dangermond]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=harvardgazette |date=2011-10-13 |title=The Invention of GIS |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/10/the-invention-of-gis/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Harvard Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/jack-dangermond/?sh=4acb7b0c6c6e |title=Jack Dangermond |date=July 18, 2023|work=Forbes|access-date=July 18, 2023}}</ref>|Laura Dangermond}}
| hq_location = 
| hq_location_city = [[Redlands, California]]
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| num_locations = 49
| products = [[ArcGIS]], [[ArcGIS Desktop]], ArcGIS Enterprise, [[ArcGIS Online]], [[ArcGIS Pro]]
| revenue = $1.1 billion (2014)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Heltt|first1=Miguel|title=The Godfather of Digital Maps|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/miguelhelft/2016/02/10/the-godfather-of-digital-maps/#77731a736598|website=Forbes/Tech|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref>
| num_employees = 3,800 (2016)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/esri-named-forbes-best-midsize-135100557.html |title=Esri Named on Forbes Best Midsize Employers List |access-date=2018-06-08 |archive-date=2018-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142136/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/esri-named-forbes-best-midsize-135100557.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
'''Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.''', [[doing business as]] '''Esri''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|z|r|iː}}),<ref>{{cite web |last=Schutzberg |first=Adena |url=http://www.directionsmag.com/entry/esri-transitioning-pronunciation-of-its-name/162035 |title=ESRI "Transitioning" Pronunciation of its Name |website=Directionsmag.com |date=2010-03-23 |access-date=2016-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828195527/http://www.directionsmag.com/entry/esri-transitioning-pronunciation-of-its-name/162035 |archive-date=2016-08-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is an American [[geographic information system]] (GIS) software company headquartered in [[Redlands, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2017-06-20/activity-based-intelligence-comes-age-modern-warfare |title=Activity-Based Intelligence Comes of Age in Modern Warfare |date=June 20, 2017 |publisher=Aviation International News |access-date=November 11, 2022}}</ref> It is best known for its [[ArcGIS]] products. With 45% market share as of 2015, Esri is one of the world's leading suppliers of GIS software, [[web GIS]], local intelligence,  and [[geodatabase]] management applications.<ref>{{cite web |title=Update: Esri has 40+% of GIS Marketshare |url=http://apb.directionsmag.com/entry/esri-has-40-of-gis-marketshare/215188 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103033512/http://apb.directionsmag.com/entry/esri-has-40-of-gis-marketshare/215188 |archive-date=2013-01-03 |access-date=2011-11-21 |work=Directions Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jack Dangermond |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/jack-dangermond/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-02 |title=Report: Esri Has 43 Percent Share of GIS Market |url=https://www.gpsworld.com/report-esri-has-43-percent-share-of-gis-market/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=GPS World |language=en-US}}</ref>

Founded in 1969 as a [[land-use]] consulting firm, Esri currently has 49 offices worldwide including 11 research and development centers in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2019 |title=Esri and ArcGIS |url=https://d3.harvard.edu/platform-digit/submission/esri-and-arcgis/ |access-date=November 12, 2019 |publisher=Harvard Digital Initiative}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2022 |title=Bentley Systems: Important Player In The GIS Software Industry |url=https://seekingalpha.com/article/4526224-bentley-systems-important-player-gis-software-industry |access-date=November 11, 2022 |publisher=Seeking Alpha}}</ref> There are 10 regional U.S. offices and over 3,000 partners globally, with users in every country and a total of over a million active users in 350,000 organizations. These include [[Fortune 500|''Fortune'' 500]] companies, most national governments, 20,000 cities, all 50 US States and 7,000+ universities. The firm has 4,000 total employees, and is privately held by its founders.<ref>{{cite web|title=Contact Esri|url=http://www.esri.com/about-esri/contact#outsideUS|website=Esri Office Worldwide|publisher=Esri|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.esri.com/en-us/about/about-esri/locations |title=About Esri : Locations |publisher=Esri |access-date=November 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.esri.com/en-us/about/about-esri/company |title=About Esri : Company|publisher=Esri |access-date=November 11, 2022}}</ref> Strategic partners include [[Microsoft]], [[Salesforce]], [[Amazon Web Services]], [[Autodesk]], and SAP, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.esri.com/en-us/about/media-relations/fact-sheet |title=Fact Sheet |publisher=ESRI |access-date=November 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esri.com/company/about/facts.html |title=GIS in Our World |work=Esri Website: Company Facts |access-date=2008-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981205090451/http://www.esri.com/company/about/facts.html |archive-date=1998-12-05 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Growing Partnership between Esri and Autodesk |url=https://www.geoweeknews.com/news/the-growing-partnership-between-esri-and-autodesk |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=www.geoweeknews.com |language=en}}</ref> In a 2016 Investor's Business Daily article, Esri's annual revenues were indicated to be $1.1 billion.<ref name="howell">{{cite news |url=http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=503454 |title=Jack Dangermond's Digital Mapping Lays It All Out |last=Howell |first=Donna |work=Investor's Business Daily |date=2009-08-14 |access-date=2009-08-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510064955/http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=503454 |archive-date=2010-05-10 }}</ref>

== History ==
In 1969, Esri was founded by the couple, Jack and Laura Dangermond, as Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), in Redlands, California. Esri was established when the couple started working on the technology to integrate human development with environmental stewardship at [[Harvard University|Harvard University's]] lab for computer graphics and spatial analysis in the early 1960s. Inspired by the early mapmaking software in development at the lab, Jack and Laura Dangermond conceptualized using computer-powered mapping and analysis for complex problem-solving.<ref>{{Cite web |last=harvardgazette |date=2011-10-13 |title=The Invention of GIS |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/10/the-invention-of-gis/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=Harvard Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LEGACY HERO: Jack Dangermond, Redlands, California (2019) |url=https://lalh.org/about-lalh/preservation-heroes/legacy-hero-jack-dangermond-redlands-california-2019/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=Library of American Landscape History {{!}} LALH |language=en-US}}</ref>

The company released Arc/Info, the first commercial GIS program, containing maps attached to relational database. In the late 1990s, Esri reengineered Arc/Info and developed it into a modular and scalable GIS platform. Esri then switched from providing contract mapping services to developing mapping software products. The first ArcGIS software offering (8.1) was announced at the [[Esri International User Conference]] (Esri UC) in 2000. ArcGIS 8.1 was officially released on April 24, 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kraetzig |first=Sebastian Walczak & Nikita Marwaha |date=2024-07-26 |title=History of GIS {{!}} ESRI - A Pioneer in GIS Technology |url=https://geoawesome.com/history-of-gis-esri-a-pioneer-in-gis-technology/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=Geoawesome |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-05-07 |title=Press Release -- ArcGIS 8.1 Now Shipping |url=http://www.esri.com/news/releases/01_2qtr/arcgisshipping.html |access-date=2024-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010507012915/http://www.esri.com/news/releases/01_2qtr/arcgisshipping.html |archive-date=7 May 2001 }}</ref>

== Products ==
{{Main|ArcGIS}}
Esri uses the name [[ArcGIS]] to refer to its suite of GIS software products, which operate on desktop, server, and mobile platforms. ArcGIS also includes developer products and web services. In a general sense, the term GIS describes any [[Information systems|information system]] that integrates, stores, edits, analyzes, shares and displays [[georeference|geographic]] information for informing [[decision making]]. The term GIS-Centric, however, has been specifically defined as the use of the Esri ArcGIS geodatabase as the asset and feature data repository central to [[computerized maintenance management system]]s (CMMS) as a part of [[enterprise asset management]] and analytical software systems. GIS-centric certification criteria have been specifically defined by NAGCS, the National Association of GIS-Centric Solutions.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

=== Desktop GIS ===
As of October 2024, the company's desktop GIS suite is ArcGIS Pro 3.3.2, with the older [[ArcGIS]] Desktop (or ArcMap) version 10.8.2 in [https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-desktop/announcements/arcmap-enters-mature-support-in-march-2024/ mature support] (to be fully retired in March 2026). The older ArcGIS Desktop consisted of several integrated applications, including [[ArcMap]], [[ArcCatalog]], ArcToolbox, ArcScene, and ArcGlobe. Esri's main desktop, or thick client, application is ArcGIS Pro which is slowly replacing the former main components of ArcGIS Desktop: [[ArcMap]], [[ArcCatalog]] and ArcToolbox. Esri's desktop products allow users to author, analyze, map, manage, share, and publish geographic information.

[[ArcGIS Pro]] was introduced in early 2015 as a modern and fully 64-bit application with integrated 2D and 3D functionality.<ref>{{cite web |title=ArcGIS Pro – Reinventing Desktop GIS |date=27 January 2015 |url=https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/3d-gis/3d-gis/arcgis-pro-reinventing-desktop-gis/ |access-date=22 April 2019}}</ref> The product suite is available in three levels of licensing:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-desktop/pricing |title=Buy ArcGIS for Desktop |website=Esri.com |access-date=2016-07-25}}</ref> Basic (formerly called [[ArcView]]), Standard (formerly called [[ArcEditor]]) and Advanced (formerly called [[ArcInfo]]). Basic provides a basic set of GIS capabilities suitable for many GIS applications. Standard, at added cost, allows more extensive data editing and manipulation, including server [[geodatabase]] editing.  Advanced, at the high end, provides full, advanced analysis and data management capabilities, including [[geostatistics|geostatistical]] and [[Geospatial topology|topological]] analysis tools. Additionally, ArcGIS is compatible with following [[Open Geospatial Consortium#Standards|OGC standards]]: WFS, WCS, GFS and various others.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

[[ArcGIS Explorer]], ArcReader, and [[ArcExplorer]] are basic [[freeware]] applications for viewing GIS data.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

ArcGIS Desktop extensions are available, including Spatial Analyst for raster analysis, and 3D Analyst for terrain mapping and analysis.  Other more specialized extensions are available from Esri and third parties.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Esri's original product, [[ArcInfo|ARC/INFO]], was a command line GIS product available initially on minicomputers, then on UNIX workstations. In 1992, a GUI GIS, [[ArcView 3.x|ArcView GIS]], was introduced. Over time, both products were offered in Windows versions, and ArcView also as a [[Apple Macintosh|Macintosh]] product. The names ArcView and ArcInfo were used for a while to name different levels of licensing in ArcGIS Desktop, and less often refer to these original software products. The Windows version of ArcGIS is now the only ArcGIS Desktop platform that is undergoing new development for future product releases.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

=== Server GIS ===
Server GIS products provide GIS functionality and data deployed from a central environment. [[ArcGIS Server]] is an Internet application service, used to extend the functionality of ArcGIS Desktop software to a browser based environment. It is available on Solaris and Linux as well as Windows. [[ArcSDE]] (Spatial Database Engine) is used as a [[Relational database management system|relational database]] connector for other Esri software to store and retrieve GIS data within a commercially available database: currently, it can be used with Oracle, [[PostgreSQL]], DB2, Informix and Microsoft SQL Server databases. It supports its native SDE binary data format, [[Oracle Spatial]], and ST_geometry.
[[ArcIMS]] (Internet Mapping Server) provides browser-based access to GIS. As of ArcGIS 10.1, ArcIMS has been deprecated in favor of ArcGIS Server, but there are still many instances of ArcIMS (10.0 and older) in production environments.
Other server-based products include Geoportal Server, ArcGIS Image Server and Tracking Server as well as several others.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

=== Mobile GIS ===
Mobile GIS conflates GIS, GPS, [[location-based service]]s, hand-held computing, and the growing availability of geographic data. ArcGIS technology can be deployed on a range of mobile systems from lightweight devices to PDAs, laptops, and Tablet PCs. The firm's products for this use include Collector for ArcGIS, Survey123 for ArcGIS, ArcGIS QuickCapture and more. Former products and applications in this category included [[ArcPad]] and ArcGIS for Mobile.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webmapsolutions.com|title=Mobile GIS App Development|publisher=WebMapSolutions|url-status=dead|access-date=29 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424191248/http://www.webmapsolutions.com/|archive-date=24 April 2012}}</ref>

===Online GIS (ArcGIS Online)===
ArcGIS includes Internet capabilities in all Esri software products. The services, provided through ArcGIS Online at www.arcgis.com, include web APIs, hosted map and [[Geographic information system|geoprocessing]] services, and a user sharing program. A variety of basemaps is a signature feature of ArcGIS Online. The Esri Community Maps program compiles detailed user basemap information into a common [[Cartography|cartographic]] format called Topographic Basemap.<ref>{{cite web|title=Free Mobile app for ArcGIS Online|url=http://www.webmapsolutions.com/arcgisonline|publisher=WebMapSolutions|access-date=16 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209095417/http://www.webmapsolutions.com/arcgisonline|archive-date=9 February 2013}}</ref>

==Data formats==

===Vector===
* [[Shapefile]] – Esri's proprietary, hybrid vector data format using SHP, SHX and DBF files. Originally invented in the early 1990s, it is still commonly used as a widely supported spatial data interchange format.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
* Enterprise Geodatabase – Esri's geodatabase format for use in an [[relational database system]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
* File Geodatabase – Esri's file-based geodatabase format, stored as folders in a file system.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
* Personal Geodatabase – Esri's closed, integrated vector data storage strategy using Microsoft's [[Microsoft Access|Access]] MDB format is a legacy format generally replaced by the file geodatabase in most contemporary use.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
* Coverage – Esri's closed, hybrid vector data storage strategy. Legacy ArcGIS Workstation / ArcInfo format with reduced support in modern application.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

=== Raster ===
* [[Esri grid]] – binary and metadataless ASCII raster formats.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
* Mosaic - data structure for managing and analyzing [[Multidimensional scaling|multidimensional]] raster and imagery data, including [[netCDF]], [[GRIB]], and [[Hierarchical Data Format]]{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

== Esri Technical Certification ==
The Esri Technical Certification program was launched in January 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Earn the New Esri Technical Certification|url=http://www.esri.com/news/releases/10_4qtr/technical-cert.html|publisher=Esri|access-date=4 October 2011}}</ref>  The program provides an exam based certification for Esri software. The core groups for the certification include Desktop, Developer, and Enterprise.<ref>{{cite web|title=Technical Certification|url=http://training.esri.com/certification/|work=Esri|access-date=4 October 2011}}</ref>

== Conference ==
The company hosts the [[Esri International User Conference]], which was first held on the Redlands campus in 1981 with 16 attendees. The 44th User Conference was held in [[San Diego]] at the [[San Diego Convention Center]] from July 15 to 19, 2024. In 2022, 31,590 users from 142 countries attended either in person or digitally.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2022 |title=The 2022 EsriUC by the numbers - Attendees, sponsors, speakers, stickers and much more! |url=https://community.esri.com/t5/esri-partner-network-blog/the-2022-esriuc-by-the-numbers-attendees-sponsors/ba-p/1195049 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |publisher=Esri}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2017-07-17 |title=2017 ESRIUC by the Numbers – facts, stats, and numbers of interest |url=https://www.geo-jobe.com/events/2017-esriuc-by-the-numbers-facts-stats-and-numbers-of-interest/ |access-date=2019-09-02 |publisher=GEO Jobe}}</ref>

== Philanthropy ==
[[File:SessionByESRI.jpg|thumb|Sign at the 2025 AAG conference indicating the session was sponsored by ESRI]]

Esri provides low-cost access to ArcGIS software via special programs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Esri for Nonprofits |url=https://www.techsoup.org/esri?srsltid=AfmBOoq5nM3-rwlSk9Su2zW47PnA2F_wAuNhFLNMarxc1-gSPmOkKlzJ |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=www.techsoup.org}}</ref> The company has provided free access to ArcGIS Online to over 100,000 [[K–12|K-12 schools]] in the U.S. as part of Barack Obama's [[National Broadband Plan (United States)|ConnectED]] initiative.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Liyan |title=Billionaire Jack Dangermond's Esri Pledges $1 Billion Of Mapping Software To America's K-12 Schools |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/liyanchen/2014/05/27/billionaire-jack-dangermonds-esri-pledges-1-billion-of-mapping-software-to-americas-k-12-schools/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Esri sponsors the Esri Young Professionals Network, which seeks to help GIS professionals after graduation in their careers.<ref name="Boone2025">{{cite news |last1=Boone |first1=Rosemary |title=Esri Young Professionals Network |url=https://www.aag.org/helping-students-bridge-the-gap-from-student-to-gis-professional-how-esri-ypn-supports-educators/ |access-date=13 October 2025 |work=AAG Newsletter |publisher=American Association of Geographers |date=1 October 2025}}</ref>

Since 1994, Esri's Disaster Response program has supported response and recovery for crises including the Northridge earthquake, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, 9/11, the space shuttle Columbia crash, [[COVID-19]], the Baltimore bridge collapse, and New Mexico's fires and floods.

Esri is involved with the [[American Association of Geographers]] and hosts workshops and educational sessions.<ref name="ESRI_AAG_2024">{{cite web |title=Esri Workshops and Presentations @ AAG '24 |url=https://community.esri.com/t5/higher-education-docs/esri-education-sessions-and-activities-at-aag-2024/ta-p/1407181?attachment-id=79029 |publisher=ESRI |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref> They sponsored the student center at the 2025 national conference.<ref name="AAG2025">{{cite web |title=2025 AAG Annual Meeting |url=https://www.aag.org/events/aag2025/ |website=American Association of Geographers |publisher=American Association of Geographers |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>

== Conservation and sustainability ==
In 1989, Esri created the Esri Conservation Program to assist in changing the operations of non-profit organizations for their objectives of nature conservation and social change. Esri's ArcGIS platform has provided GIS data, analytics software, and training to thousands of [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit organizations]] and individual conservation projects since 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Esri Conservation Program – SCGIS UA – Natute Conservation with GIS |url=https://scgis.org.ua/projects/arcgis/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2017, Esri began a partnership with the [[United Nations General Assembly]] (UNGA) to create a data hub, Federated Systems, based on Esri's ArcGIS platform. The data hub will allow countries to measure, monitor, and report on [[Sustainable Development Goals]] (SDGs) in a geographic context.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GIS Technology Will Help Power United Nations' New Global Data Hub {{!}} Sensors and Systems |url=https://sensorsandsystems.com/gis-technology-will-help-power-united-nations-new-global-data-hub/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-12 |title=Esri will help power the UN's new global Data Hub |url=https://www.geospatialworld.net/news/esri-technology-will-help-power-united-nations-new-global-data-hub/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Geospatial World |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2019, Esri partnered with the [[Jane Goodall Institute]] to develop tools to help communities map and manage their surrounding ecosystems using GIS software. In 2022, they partnered again to publish a book  “Local Voices, Local Choices,” to describe the success of the Tacare approach to community-led conservation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-10 |title=Esri, Jane Goodall Institute partner to protect ecosystems - GPS World |url=https://www.gpsworld.com/esri-jane-goodall-institute-partner-to-protect-ecosystems/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=GPS World - The Business and Technology of Global Navigation and Positioning |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Member |first=Staff |date=2019-07-08 |title=Esri and the Jane Goodall Institute Partner to Provide Community Mapping Tools to Protect Nature • Workflow |url=https://workflowotg.com/esri-jane-goodall-institute-partner-community-mapping-tools/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Workflow |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nappier |first=Terri |date=2022-10-17 |title=Inspiring hope through action - The Source - Washington University in St. Louis |url=https://source.wustl.edu/2022/10/inspiring-hope-through-action/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=The Source |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Open Geospatial Consortium]]
*[[QGIS]]
*[[Smart Data Compression]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}
*{{Github|Esri}}

{{Esri Software|collapsed=no}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1969 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Companies based in San Bernardino County, California]]
[[Category:GIS companies]]
[[Category:Map companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Redlands, California]]
[[Category:Remote sensing companies]]
[[Category:Software companies based in California]]
[[Category:Software companies established in 1969]]
[[Category:Software companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Technology companies based in Greater Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Technology companies established in 1969]]