ArcGIS Survey123 vs EDDMapS

Smart forms and surveys for digital data collection. ArcGIS Survey123 helps mobile workers collect field data with speed and precision. Capture location-aware survey responses anytime, anywhere—even offline—and sync seamlessly with your ArcGIS platform for real-time analysis and decision-making. From gathering public feedback to conducting inspections or documenting field conditions, Survey123 helps ensure data capture is efficient and reliable. ArcGIS is available on your desktop, in a browser, and on smartphones or tablets. Survey123 is Esri's form-centric app on mobile devices. Note: Survey123 is designed for organizational use. This app requires you have an ArcGIS organizational account to collect and update data. Public surveys shared by organizations can be accessed without sign in for crowd sourcing or citizen science purposes. Collect and submit data with precision: - Capture data using a wide variety of question types including text, map, choice lists, dates, photos, signatures, and barcodes. - Collect data online or offline and sync when connected. - Capture location information using device GPS. - Use maps in surveys to select points. - Apply skip logic, calculations, and data validation to ensure high-quality responses. - Attach photos and audio to survey responses. - Create multilingual surveys. Work securely with your organization: - Securely connect to your ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise organization. - Submit surveys to trigger feature service webhooks that automate downstream workflows. Collaborate and analyze results: - Access and complete publicly shared surveys in the field without needing to sign in, allowing you to provide feedback or contribute data for crowd sourcing projects. - Integrate data submitted from the Survey123 field app with ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Experience Builder, and other ArcGIS solutions to enhance visualization and analysis. - Submit reliable survey data to support professional reports, which can be generated using customizable report templates on the Survey123 website. - Submit survey data in the field to make it available for export in formats such as CSV, Excel, shapefile, or file geodatabase through the Survey123 website, ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise.

EDDMapS is a mapping system for documenting invasive species distribution. It is fast, easy to use, and doesn't require Geographic Information Systems experience. Launched in 2005 by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia, it was originally designed as a tool for state Exotic Pest Plant Councils to develop more complete distribution data of invasive species. EDDMapS goal is to maximize the effectiveness and accessibility of the immense numbers of invasive species observations recorded each year. Why do we care? An invasive species is when a nonnative species causes or is likely to cause economic, environmental harm, or harm to human health. Invasive species negatively impact agriculture, recreation, natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and more. The first step is prevention of nonnative introduction. The second step is to map where the invasive species are found in the introduced area. How does it work? EDDMapS is a platform to document, display, and query the presence of invasive species. A simple, interactive Web interface engages participants to submit their observations or view results through interactive queries into the EDDMapS database. EDDMapS encourages users to participate by providing Internet tools that maintain their personal records and enable them to visualize data with interactive maps. Users simply enter information from their observations into the standardized reporting form, which allows specific information about the infestation and images to be added. Uploaded data entered is immediately loaded to the database for verification. Once data is reviewed as correct by an expert, it is available for viewing and download. Being able to see the current data of a species as it moves into a new area helps to facilitate Early Detection and Rapid Response programs (EDRR). EDRR programs help stop or control an invasive species before it becomes an unmanageable problem. All data is reviewed by expert verifiers to ensure all data is accurate prior to public availability. The data is freely available to everyone including scientists, researchers, land managers, land owners, educators, conservationists, ecologists, farmers, foresters, state, and national parks.