Mobile Data Collection Using ArcGIS & More

Our February Coffee Chat was a technical demonstration of the various ways you can use a mobile device to update your plant records. IrisBG as a software is intentionally designed to be scalable to meet the needs and budgets of gardens all over the world. The same strategy is applied to our mobile data collection solutions. Whether it is ArcGIS, Google Sheets, Office 365, or another platform. The Chat concluded with a discussion given by our first round of Beta Testers. At the end of this article, we share a list of Q&A from the chat section of the Coffee Chat. 

We have a full cohort of Beta Testers signed up to test the IrisBG - ArcGIS Sync Beta. We will report back to you about how they are doing and when this will be available to the entire IrisBG Community. Thank you for all the engagement!

Thanks to all of you who joined us! The Coffee Chat attendees were a good mix of users with 13% trying out the trial, 25% of the users identifying as novice, 45% intermediate users, and 17% advanced users.
It is helpful to know what experience our community has with GIS when we are writing our Knowledge Library articles.  Forty percent have experience and 60 percent identify as novice or having no experience.

	This question allowed for attendees to select all answers that apply.  Many in the IrisBG Community use ESRI but significant number of use another GIS program.
	Updating accession data, item coordinates, capturing images, and updating label statuses are the most popular and frequent tasks.

The map below shows the gardens and arboreta represented by those who registered for the Coffee Chat - home offices not taken into consideration.  

We talked about the various programs that can be used for Mobile Data Collection:

• Google Sheets is cost-effective way to collaborate offline and uses the same report and code lists from 11 GIS. Instructions for using Google Sheets for Mobile Data Collection can be found here. 
• Learn how to create a report filter that can be used in the task scheduler.

• ArcGIS for Mobile data collection requires a few preparatory steps.
  • Assign coordinates to all of your Collection Locations. See the Define Garden Locations article. ⚠️Important: Items that do not have individual coordinates will be assigned location coordinates during the GIS Report Export. All locations must have coordinates for these items to be used in ArcGIS otherwise they will not be visible on the map.
    

  • Check to see if you have an ‘Unknown’ as a Taxa. This is for handling New Accessions have not undergone verification in your database. See the article Set up an Unknown Taxa.

  • Decide on a Basemap and reference layers. See our article From an ArcPro WMTS to an IrisBG Custom Basemap

Q & A

Q: How do I sign up for the ESRI's Nonprofit Program for ArcGIS?

A: Learn more by following this link: https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/nonprofit/nonprofit-program

Q: Where can I learn more about Field Maps?

A: Learn more by following this link: https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-field-maps/resources

Q: Is using the location services in a mobile device to capture and extract GPS points a way to collect the GPS data for an image?

A: Yes this can be done. There are software programs out there that will extract the GPS points for you AGOL will do this but the accuracy may not be what you are looking for unless you pair with a GNSS receiver. 

A: Convert a folder of geotagged photos with GeoTagged Photos to Points Tool in ArcPro. Auto coordinate in the attribute. Note you can bring your hosted features from AGOL into ArcPro.

Q: If you are using a GNSS receiver for high accuracy in collecting GPS points how do I look into what Corrections Networks are available to improve accuracy?

A: Check with your local municipality on what your options are some municipalities will allow you to use a local corrections network for free or through a subscription.  You will need to ask about NTRIP (Network Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol) it is a protocol for transmitting Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS data over the Internet.

Q: Do you currently allow volunteers to enter new accessions in the field?

A: Not currently. It takes a training to understand both the technology and plant identification to maintain data quality. 

Q:  What are some low cost options for starting to collect GPS data in a mobile context?

A:  If you are using the ArcGIS non profit program the licenses are around $100, a new durable tablet is $1,000, and a GNSS receivers vary in price but are typically a a few thousand dollars. GNSS antennas can be purchased used.

Q: Trimble Connect vs ESRI Field Maps

A: Field Maps is more intuitive and when used with AGOL and ArcPro has many more features than Trimble Connect. 

Q: Is there a difference in using iOS tablets and Android tablets with GNSS receivers?

A: Yes. Android devices require that you set up mock locations in the GNSS app before setting your location profile in Field Maps. Be sure to look at the instructions that come with your GNSS during the set up.

Q: Where can I go to learn more from others doing this work?

A: IrisBG Forum, Plant Map Meetup Group and ESRI Community: Public Gardens New(er) GIS User Group