Why I quit Esri (and how you can too)

[@Samuftie]

The biggest point is that ESRI has an integration between ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online AGOL. You pay money for the Feature services and the ability to publish maps online. With QGIS, you must set up the infrastructure yourself with cloud (PostGIS, networking, etc.), which is cumbersome; also, creating your own HTML map. You do save money. Unless you are spending for ESRI Enterprise or AGOL, I don't think it is worth it.

[@MattForrest]

Check out Felt for online publishing!

[@sohannag612]

Hi Matt, it's a some time that I have commented in your videos. The thing that caught my eye is that quitting ESRI all together. Well, I will share my opinion with you. In my master's of Geology we were taught the Remote Sensing and GIS course primarily in QGIS, in the very beginning, but the modular form of the QGIS is something students aren't quite getting into so they shifted towards ArcGIS. The pros as using ArcGIS is it is very Microsft 365 like. You have structured UI which you can easily understand and I guess it's easy to use. But that makes you so wired that you forget sometimes that how the things actually working, which you easily learn in the QGIS. In my thesis, I have used Planet's data to process, extensively used ArcGIS, and I came to understand that if you're missing the basics of how the things actually work you are doomed especially in the research field. You have to have your fair share of experiences in modular tools like QGIS, or going purely programming to do what you intend to do. I do understand the motion of using ArcGIS. Yes, they are the Adobe of the Geospatial world with all the bells and whistles and it's pretty, but if you really want to learn and have a deeper understanding of the things, then one should go for Open Source. So, as of now, though getting certifications from ArcGIS I believe is a way to convey your understanding about various geospatial skills, but I believe that your true understanding will rely on how much depth you hold through the Open Source. I guess I have conveyed my opinion correctly.

[@MattForrest]

Thanks for sharing and that's a great point. I think that there is still a need to leverage these tools and yes they make it very easy to do so but as you said I think it extrapolates the fundamental understanding of what's actually happening into a user interface and with that you definitely lose some knowledge in the process.

[@bc4198]

Very easy? 😆 I wouldn't say that about Desktop / Pro 😳

[@3runjosh]

Yes, learning how things are happening under the hood really helps to problem solve things. I've been using ArcGIS for my geology major so far but learning QGIS on the side. I like the idea of knowing both to a high level so I can be a great asset in the field.

[@patrickmckinney5974]

I remember trying to use QGIS in 2008. Gave up, but when I came back around 2019 it was much easier to use. Also, some of us work with large institutions (state government) that do not allow open source. So we won't be quitting Esri anytime soon.

[@MattForrest]

Yeah very true if your organization is tied to Esri. And I was in the same boat back in the day with Q but it’s gotten to be such a great all around tool.

[@josephclark6478]

I think this is fine if you are a freelancer, own your won business or just want to expand your GIS knowledge. I think ESRI works a little more seamlessly in the corporate sector when you have to roll out "homogenous" solutions across a team in multiple locations. Bare in mind that the corporation itself covers all the costs. But I love getting out of the ESRI ecosystem. Great video.

[@MattForrest]

Depending on where your job is, that certainly might be the case. I think that it is quite prevalent in the public sector for the most part, but more and more private businesses are transitioning to a variety of tools within the space.

[@toddbarr2735]

Hi, I work at a fortune 500 company and we're all FOSS4G up and down

[@MattForrest]

@@toddbarr2735 I am seeing this more and more!!

[@felipelimeira8361]

My question is, could using only paid software be limiting your career? I stopped using it myself because I didn't have the money to buy a license. I know that there are many vacancies that require knowledge, but I don't like putting my money into just one software.

[@MattForrest]

Check on my video on GIS salaries that might shed some light on the topic for you.

[@mariahdez1942]

Great video, thanks. It's great to know another options in GIS. In latinamerica it's not easy that small countries has enough resources for pay ESRI License.

[@MattForrest]

Glad it was helpful!

[@explorethebeautyofnature3530]

Most roles I have come across require proficiency in ESRI tools. I believe it is helpful to learn both proprietary and open-source tools

[@MattForrest]

You're totally correct, that tends to be the case, but it also depends on the organization that you're focusing on.

[@explorethebeautyofnature3530]

@@MattForrest I agree with you

[@Georgy_47]

14 years of qgis and arc .... qgis is the workhorse and arc is for pretty maps ... arc without q is not feasible. qgis has it twerks but once u over come them it's a beast but everything is manual where esri make it too easy for you. always learn new way to do one thing until u find the most efficient way to i hand data between multiple entities qgis with google drive and user profiles and geopackges and styles saved in them saved my life many times i can hop form one project to another and each one has it owns plugins and tools once i'm done i make pretty maps in arc 😂

[@MattForrest]

Wow that’s interesting I haven’t heard of anyone using that sort of dual desktop tool set up!

[@MrCliffhuck]

I believe that a good test of one's knowledge of geospatial and technology, in general, is how quickly one can move from one platform to another. I work to whatever the client uses, and the project goals. As an enterprise/GIS architect with 20 years of experience in both IT and GIS, I do know that one size fits all technologies do not exist.

[@tahayagoub8787]

I use to use open source for my graduate thieses which it takes me to spend alot of time for the works that takes few minutes with esri software

[@MattForrest]

Definitely depends on the specific need!

[@samadnasar2700]

if the sole purpose of using GIS software, is the creation of custom maps for presentation and explaination in video, which one will be more suitable (more easier and rich in feature for represention with some animation of map), ArcGIS or QGIS?

[@Azi0]

Hey Matt, interesting case. Your title struck a cord and made me wonder how other software stack up. I'm a bit of lay-person here regarding the exact intricacies of working with GIS software, but what other paid software would you suggest that isn't open source? Or would you say there is no comparison on that field?

[@MattForrest]

There are a few specific to GIS desktop tools but full suite enterprise I think Hexagon comes closest. As for other focus areas stay tuned working on a report talking about that.

[@Azi0]

@@MattForrest Thanks! I appreciate the response and any other information you could provide on that. I'll have a look into Hexagon and their GIS software!

[@optus7113]

Hey matt i'm so pleased to watch your contents, but still i have alot of confusions so i am wondering is there any way where i can directly contact you personally?

[@user-tt7yj4gy9w]

Great if you can't afford the ESRI software but most large companies with IT departments that i have worked with will not allow open source applications in their architecture

[@umepojke6579]

Hi Matt, can you make a video on how to use Docker, gdals, and SQL? I've been trying to figure it out from your book but I think you may have hopped over some explanations.

[@MattForrest]

It’s on my list!

[@malnaai6467]

lol. my life story. left uni. but no money for esri. discover qgis. re-fall in love with geo processing in a different way (with alota headaches). n today AI writes my python scripts. but the older folk still love there esri.

[@denyskovshun9960]

Haven't encountered Esri in the last 5 years except in the government and non-profit sector.🤔

[@MattForrest]

That usually seems to be the same for me as well.

[@sergisolersanchis6880]

I would say that most of electricity network and water management private companies (profit companies) manage their utility networks catalog and some processes based on Esri solutions

[@file83]

An exception might be that you noticed the John Hopkins COVID Dashboard, though. I’m curious why JH didn’t go with an open source stack instead of ArcGIS?

[@denyskovshun9960]

@@sergisolersanchis6880 I will assume this is historically different from region to region, We have Esri solutions in Energy and Agriculture competing with Autodesc and home solutions. But I do know that Esri sponsors non profit organizations and are used in the military and government on a more stable basis.

[@cowboynationnetwork7699]

@@file83 One word - Support. the JH dashboards were wildly popular and they needed the backend SaaS infrastructure to keep it up and running. Technical support and IT infra are the primary reason why Esri owns the lion's share of GIS software. Same reason you will find Esri products exclusively in 8 out of 10 engineering and construction firms.

[@aromaticsnail]

The right tool for the right job! A GIS expert shouldn't be dogmatic or tribal. Open-source isn't free. I've seen many managers going open-source (e.g QGIS) because it's free (to download and install) and ignore all other costs. On the other hand, maybe your project's GIS needs don't require a wall garden license costing thousands of dollars from Esri or others that market themselves as anti-Esri but just want to be Esri 2.0.

[@MattForrest]

Good points!

[@marcgalle3529]

Great stuff a billion $ company and ESRI fall short on far too many things

[@MattForrest]

Thanks!

[@bc4198]

Wild guess - it's overcomplicated, outdated, overpriced, and predatory?

[@MattForrest]

🤨

[@aamirsuleman9815]

Esri is ok from a GIS analysts perspective but really buggy for the price. It’s also pretty well suited for utilities. But if you want to build complex geospatial tools and ingest Columbus data like climate related, you have to open the door and say good bye to Esri

[@Misack8]

Not even once

[@kavyajeetbora2585]

Is ESRI's future doomed according to you ?

[@MattForrest]

I don't think they will be doomed. Many legacy software organizations and companies stick around for a long time, no matter what. Just look at Oracle. However, different tools and processes be that software or open source will change the dynamic of the industry no doubt.

[@cowboynationnetwork7699]

Not a chance. In fact, Fast Company listed Esri as one of the fastest growing software companies in the world. No other software company like Esri has anywhere near the marketshare they do.

[@nomadhomad3685]

I’m just gana grab some🍿 , brb

[@MattForrest]

🤣🤣🤣

[@fernandinand]

The question is...to be or not to be...lazy! 😅

[@MattForrest]

🤣🤣🤣

[@anix7n]

I just hate Esri!

[@gadingabi602]

why?

[@Belihoney]

Yeah why?

[@bc4198]

Costs a ton, constant fussing about licensing, happily empties your pockets while providing little more than more ways to get trapped with vendor lock-in. Unfortunately.

[@gadingabi602]

@@bc4198 instead of hating, you can simply choose another option

[@MattForrest]

🤷‍♂️

[@nipunkalraa]

🙌

[@MattForrest]

Thank you!