6.8.2: How do Arc/Info and Intergraph MGE compare? (Geographic Information Systems)
Description
This article is from the Geographic Information Systems FAQ, by Lisa Nyman lnyman@census.gov with numerous contributions by others.
6.8.2: How do Arc/Info and Intergraph MGE compare? (Geographic Information Systems)
From: HarleyP@MSMAIL.WAIRC.GOVT.NZ
My impressions so far of Intergraph is that it is seems very hard to use
(remember my A/I bias here). It is very different to A/I in its layout and
how it requires you to do things but the end result will be the same. It
has a wonderful windows interface and this helps immensely. It is much more
stable than Arctools and heaps easier than command line entry and AML
programming. However, for the dedicated types, there is a command line to
do everything and you can customise Intergraph (though not as easily as A/I,
but many wouldn't need to due to the friendly user interface which already
exists). Intergraph can be run in batch mode so that many processes can be
automated such as refreshing point coverages to take into account database
changes that may have occurred during a days operations. Intergraph handles
graphics better than A/I, that is because all graphics are controlled
through Microstation CAD which is the core of the Intergraph GIS, as you
probably already know.
I feel that once I am used to Intergraph software I will be away laughing.
All the functionality is there and then some ie Remote sensing and 3D add
ons.
I think that the dominant application that your GIS system will be put to is
the most important thing to consider. If you are doing AM/FM, such as
utilities management and lots of CAD type stuff than definitely go with
Intergraph. Microstation is a wonderful CAD package and the GIS
functionality is built on top of this. Intergraph has great 3D
functionality and this appeals to us for its potential in monitoring air and
groundwater pollution, flood hazard assessment etc etc.
If your needs are more thematic and natural resource information based, then
Arc/Info probably has the edge.
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From: rcw@whitestar.com
You probably have a short list of essential things you need to do - like
build a parcel database. My brother Kip White, who works for El Paso
County, CO, has just completed 1,500,000 parcels out of 3,000,000 using
his Arc/Info system 6.1.1. So it works ;-) Note that these parcels are not
digitized, but entered from plats using COGO measurements. You should
probably do it this way and use GPS too for best accuracy. Lots of hard
work. He has a group of 5 working with him on an older VAX installation.
I'd ask for references, descriptions, and/or
demos from each company. I've found I get a warm and furry feeling
talking to people who were in my shoes a year a year ago.
AMLs are a nice way to automate tasks for a particular situation.
I'm an Arc user too, but I think some of the CAD technology in
Microstation, which is what I'm familiar with on the Intergraph side,
is second-to-none. I like the way Intergraph is efficient vis-a-vis
digitizing techniques and drawing file sizes. Speed of access is
very good to.
So get yourself both! Arc/Info imports the IGDS files ;-)
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From: geasson@umr.edu
Intergraph's approach is to develop generic application that are built on
their basic software of Intergraph Graphic Design Software (IGDS).
Applications such as Scan Data Capture, which was sold as a
separate software package were primarily macros written
to combine IGDS functions. Whereas ARC/INFO gives
you the "tool box" to develop your own specific applications.
If you have the staff to write and maintain you applications, I feel that
ARC/INFO is the way to go. However, Intergraph's support (both hardware and
software) were fantastic. You had only one number to call and get you
problems taken care of.
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