ArcGIS Online - Mobile Access to Survey Data

This post will continue the discussion about ArcGIS online and mobile access to the online maps.  There are two ways to access the maps: via the mobile app or by connecting directly to the website via your mobile browser.

The App:
There are three mobile applications that I'm aware of.  There are in depth descriptions available at their website and at the app store but for now, I'll focus on the "ArcGIS" application.

The "ArcGIS" application is a great bridge from data stored in the GIS space to the physical site.  The application has a "find me" button, a search function for other ArcGIS online maps, measuring tools and a search within the current map function.

Image-Typical screen showing tools.

The "find me" button is shown as a bulls eye in the lower right corner next to the information button.  When the location services is enabled for this app, the map will center on the users location and display all available data in the vicinity.  Panning and zooming will cause the map to refresh.

Searching for other ArcGIS online maps is shown at the top right.

Measuring distances and areas is available through map tools shown as a wrench.

Searching for data on the current map is shown at the top left.

Selecting Data

Once users find their desired area, any symbol that contains data can be selected by a quick tap or tap and hold for a magnifying glass.

Quick data will display in a pop up text box.  Additional information can be accessed by tapping on the " > " symbol in the text box.

Image-Additional information.

Mobile Website Access:

As an alternative to the app, users can access the ArcGIS Online website directly at https://www.arcgis.com/home/.  Once users find the map they're interested in, the map acts very much like the mobile app version with much of the same functionality.

Image-Mobile version of ArcGIS.com

Whether users access the information via the app or the mobile version of the website, it is a very powerful tool that is essentially free.