Letter from President

Dear ESRI Users,

Our world faces many economic, social and environmental problems that must be solved if human progress is to continue. We must design a new future that includes radically reduced climate change, sustained biodiversity, agriculture that preserves our soil and water, renewable energy sources and cities in harmony with nature.

Designing our future will only be possible if we understand our current world and how human systems impact it. Maps are one of the most powerful tools we have to help us do this. Maps that allow us to communicate that knowledge are vital if we are to design a sustainable future for the generations to come.

In 2010, geographic information systems (GIS) will play a key role in managing the variety of issues facing Canadians: determining the distribution of federal stimulus funds, monitoring the spread of the H1N1 influenza virus, managing electric and communication systems to build smart utility grids or identifying ideal sites for green roofs.

ArcGIS continues to grow and evolve, responding to our users' need for tools to plan our future and illustrate those plans in new and innovative ways. Enhanced cartographic tools make maps even more informative and new 3D editing and analysis tools allow more realistic representations above and below the ground. New design and modeling tools empower engineers and architects to design in concert with our existing world. User-friendly Web editing tools enable users to create their own maps, while expanded capabilities to share data and applications make GIS available to a much larger audience of professionals and citizens. Innovative Web and mobile applications help integrate GIS into the enterprise, bringing the power of geographic analysis to the business systems used to run our world.

This year, ESRI Canada celebrates its 25th anniversary. Over the years I've met many of you and am privileged to have shared in your successes. I'm excited about the new opportunities to work with you as we work to discover our world and design our future.

Yours truly,

Alex Miller
President
ESRI Canada Limited