Geographic Information Systems (GIS): GIS Software

  ArcGIS Online (AGOL)

ArcGIS Online is a collaborative, cloud-based platform that allows members of an organization to use, create, and share maps, scenes, apps, and data, and access authoritative basemaps and ready-to-use apps. Through ArcGIS Online, you get access to Esri’s secure cloud, where you can manage, create, and store data as published web layers. Because ArcGIS Online is an integral part of the ArcGIS system, you can use it to extend the capabilities of ArcGIS for Desktop, ArcGIS for Server, ArcGIS Web APIs, and ArcGIS Runtime SDKs.  Read more here.

• Use maps and scenes
• Create maps, scenes, and apps
• Share maps and apps 
• Perform analysis 
• Publish hosted web layers

To access:

1. Go to ArcGIS Online

2.  Log in with VUID and Password

   ArcGIS 10.8

ArcMap (also known as ArcGIS Desktop) is GIS software from ESRI

ArcMap is a full-fledged desktop GIS and was the industry standard for GIS.   It reads and writes many geospatial data formats, provides a large set of processing and analytical tools, and can be used to create detailed maps.

ArcMap has been around for two decades and is slowly being phased out by Esri in favor of ArcGIS Pro.

To Access:

PLEASE NOTE:  While ArcGIS Pro requires a Windows operating system, it can be installed on a Mac in a virtual machine environment by using software such as Boot Camp (free) or Parallels (available from VU software store).   

Software no longer avaialbe at teh Software Store.  In order to get access do the following:

1.  Send request to stacy.e.curry@vanderbilt.edu

2. Once your request has been received, you will receive an email with instructions

3.  Follow install instructions and install software

ArcGIS Pro is the newest professional desktop GIS software from Esri. With ArcGIS Pro, you can explore, visualize, and analyze data; create 2D maps and 3D scenes, and share your work to your ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise portal. It provides a new ribbon user interface and improved cartographic features, as well as all the processing tools that are familiar to users of ArcMap.

To access:

PLEASE NOTE:  While ArcGIS Pro requires a Windows operating system, it can be installed on a Mac in a virtual machine environment by using software such as Boot Camp (free) or Parallels (available from VU software store).   

1. Go got ArcGIS Online

2. Log in with VUID and Password

QGIS is free, open-source desktop GIS software.  It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

QGIS is a full-fledged desktop GIS.  It reads and writes nearly all geospatial data formats, enables amazingly dynamic cartography, and provides a robust set of processing and analytical tools.  Additional functionality is provided by over 300 plugins, which can be installed with just a few clicks.  For more details, see the QGIS website.

QGIS is developed by contributors from around the world who are constantly adding new features and improving the program.  New versions of QGIS are released every four months.  The changelog is a great way of learning about the latest features.

To Access:

QGIS is free and open-source software, which means you can download a copy for your own computer and be up and running within just a few minutes.  Installers for Windows, Mac, Linux are available from the official QGIS website

Windows users have the option of installing from the OSGeo4W Network Installer or the QGIS Standalone Installer:

• Standalone installer -- recommended for new users 

• OSGeo4W installer -- for more advanced users, it provides a way to upgrade QGIS to newer versions as they become available and also provides access to other open-source geospatial software

Please watch this "how to install" video

Having trouble with Mac install? 

Go to the apple icon on the top left corner --> go to system preferences --> QGIS open anyway