Look, I’m not here to sell you anything. I’m not sponsored. I don’t get a commission. In fact, if Esri ever sent me a free sticker, I’d frame it out of shock.
But here’s the deal: we use Esri. Not because it’s cheap. Not because it’s perfect. But because when you’re running GIS for a public utility, local government, or any agency that doesn’t run on energy drinks and open-source idealism, Esri is the tool that makes sense.
Let’s break it down like a real person with budget pressure, limited staff (hi, it’s just me), and a ton of responsibilities.
1. It Works with the Stuff I Already Have
We’re a Windows shop. We use Cityworks. Our crews run mobile apps. Our databases live in SQL Server. I don’t want to spend six hours figuring out how to get data from a manhole inspection into a map.
Esri already connects to everything. Not with hacks. Not with custom scripts. Natively. That means I get to spend more time solving real problems and less time yelling at log files.
2. Everyone Else in Government Uses It
Esri is the standard. If I’m collaborating with another agency, sending data to a consultant, or applying for grant funding, they’re all expecting shapefiles, geodatabases, and Esri dashboards.
Using something else would be like showing up to a Microsoft Teams meeting with a fax machine. Sure, it’s technically communication, but you’re going to get weird looks.
3. Yes, It’s Expensive. So Is My Time.
QGIS is free. Cool. But “free” stops being free when I spend 20 hours trying to replicate a workflow that Esri does with a checkbox and a right-click.
I’m not running a startup. I’m running GIS as part of everything else—IT, networking, cybersecurity, helpdesk, server admin, and probably making coffee too. Esri saves me from death-by-tutorial.
4. It’s Not Sexy, But It Gets the Job Done
I don’t need a tool that makes maps dance or integrates with ChatGPT via blockchain. I need a tool that:
- Maps assets
- Connects to databases
- Lets field crews collect data offline
- Publishes to a dashboard without me pulling an all-nighter
Esri does that. Quietly. Consistently. Like a 2008 Toyota Corolla with 300,000 miles—it’s not winning awards, but it never breaks down either.
5. Support Exists (Actual Human Support)
I’m not a GIS specialist. I know just enough to be dangerous. So when I break something, it’s nice to know I can call someone and say, “Hey, I pushed a button and now my sewer layer is in the Pacific Ocean. Help?”
Try getting that level of help from some rando GitHub project with zero documentation.
Final Thought
I’m not here to praise Esri like it’s the second coming of Steve Jobs. I’m just saying—if you work in the real world, with real deadlines, limited staff, and public expectations, Esri works. It’s not perfect. It’s not cheap. But it’s stable, supported, and expected.
That’s why I use it. Not because I love it.
Because it lets me do my job and still go home on time.