Advantages and shortcomings of migrating cartography from ArcView TM to ArcGis TMconclusions and practical recommendations

Abstract

Advantages and drawbacks of cartography migration from ArcViewTM 3.x to ArcGISTM 8.x are expounded in this paper in a practical way, including recommendations and tips based on praxis to make it a less distressing experience. A new system and new concepts have been introduced for GIS users. Starting with a new work instead of migrating an existing one can be not so exhausting, but when trying to keep more or less the same appearance as in the previous project this task becomes an authentic painful experience. Migration has been considered by the authors as an opportunity for reviewing the organization and structure of the previous GIS: views, layers, layouts... have to be re-organized and re-located. The GIS-expert should inform the decision-maker about the advantages and shortcomings of the new system, so that all the requirements can be satisfied and new ones can arise, due to the new capabilities.