Esri and Leica Geosystems Combine for Mobile Data Collection

July 22, 2015  - By
The Leica Geosystems ZenoCollector2 comes with Esri Collector for ArcGIS.

The Leica Geosystems ZenoCollector2 comes with Esri Collector for ArcGIS.

Esri Collector for ArcGIS, a configurable mobile app for collecting and editing data in the field, has combined with the Zeno 20, Leica Geosystems’ ultra-rugged Android-based professional-grade handheld, in a new solution called ZenoCollector. ZenoCollector uses Collector for ArcGIS as its main user interface and comes bundled with an ArcGIS Online organizational subscription for one year.

“Esri and Leica Geosystems recognize that enterprises may have particular field data collection challenges that smartphones can’t ideally meet,” said Esri president Jack Dangermond. “We’re excited to combine Collector for ArcGIS with Leica Geosystems’ industry-standard surveying units to create a more rugged and accurate solution for the more exacting needs of organizations.”

ArcGIS Online connects ZenoCollector to the ArcGIS platform, automatically syncing field changes to enterprise information and giving everyone access to the latest data gathered in the field. Collector for ArcGIS also supports offline data collection. Any updates will be synchronized with the map once the user is reconnected.

“We’re excited to raise mobile data collection solutions to the next level of precision and interoperability through rigorous connectivity between our survey-grade Leica Zeno series and Esri’s GIS solutions,” said Hexagon Geosystems President Juergen Dold. “This industry collaboration between Leica Geosystems and Esri is another joint commitment to make it easier for professionals around the world to capture, manage, and share their data, regardless if they’re in the office or the field, without sacrificing precision or interoperability.”

Although Collector for ArcGIS is most often used on smartphones, field crews may need higher precision that only a dedicated survey device can deliver. ZenoCollector contains a professional-grade GNSS receiver that provides significantly higher position accuracies than GPS receivers on smartphones and other handheld GIS devices on the market.

Leica’s Zeno series devices are also waterproof, even with the latch open, suiting the requirements of organizations operating in wet environments that would stress the tolerances of consumer-grade mobile devices.

The announcement was made at the Esri User Conference, being held this week in San Diego.