What are ArcGIS product levels and how might they affect my software usage?

The ArcGIS integrated suite of geographic information system (GIS) software is available in three product levels: ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo. All product levels use the same applications (ArcMap and ArcCatalog), but their functionality differs. For example, ArcInfo, the most advanced product level, includes all available tools and functions. ArcView, the most basic product level, is useful for making maps, editing shapefiles and personal geodatabases, and performing basic spatial analyses. ArcEditor, the mid-range product level, features the ability to edit enterprise geodatabases.

For a comprehensive comparison of functionality differences between ArcReader, ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo, see the ESRI white paper ArcGIS Desktop 9.2 Functionality Matrix.

Using licensing features, Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) controls the ArcGIS product levels. In some cases, users purchase licensing features for a single product level (ArcInfo, for example), and use that product level exclusively. However, due to the significant cost of the higher-end product levels, users more typically share a pool of licenses, including both ArcInfo and ArcView features, among several co-workers. In this scenario, users normally set their applications to use ArcView licenses by default and enable the ArcInfo features only when needed for a particular task. This allows the department or organization to save money by purchasing a few high-end products (ArcInfo) and several low-end products (ArcView), and then sharing these licenses among the group's users. Users in this situation need to know how to change their product level after the software has been installed.

If you encounter errors requiring you to change your ArcGIS product level, see In ArcGIS, how do I change the product level?

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