From Insight to Action: Key Takeaways from the 2025 ESRI User Conference

Posted on July 30, 2025

2025 ESRI User Conference

Recently, members of the AEW Team attended the annual ESRI Conference in San Diego, looking to gain insight into all things new in GIS. The conference, as expected, was a deep well of innovation, showcasing how GIS continues to evolve and intersect with the tools and workflows we rely on. The team went into the event with a few specific goals in mind, and we’re happy to report that it exceeded expectations.

Below are some of the standout opportunities and solutions that we believe could have a meaningful impact on how we work at AEW, both internally and in the services we offer to our clients.

Unlocking Workflow Automation with Power Automate
One of the most exciting realizations came from a tool we already have at our fingertips: Power Automate for Microsoft 365. We’ve long sought a simple, effective way to automate notifications and streamline communication between departments, particularly around project status updates. Power Automate might just be the solution we’ve been looking for.

Proof of Concept: Survey Project App

As a starting point, AEW’s GIS and IT teams will look to build a workflow for our existing Survey Project application that will notify stakeholders whenever the status of a project changes. For example, when a topographical survey’s status shifts from “Being Processed” to “Delivered to CAD”, the designated project manager will automatically receive an email notification of the change.

If this proof of concept works as expected, it opens the door to numerous opportunities to build an integrated suite of tools that could transform how we manage projects across AEW.

A Future Project Management Suite

Imagine a user-friendly set of apps — accessible via desktop shortcuts, mobile applications, and dashboards — that answer one key question: “What’s the status of my project right now?”

Here are just a few ideas for additional apps, all tied to our existing AEW Job Reference dataset:

  • Construction Inspector Request
  • Appia GIS Integration
  • Spec Book Request
  • Record Plan Status
  • Confined Space Request
  • Survey Request (existing)

A unified Project Management Suite, utilizing Portal for ArcGIS in conjunction with ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123, could vastly improve transparency, reduce redundancy, and reinforce our commitment to process improvement.

Smart Space Planning with ArcGIS Indoors
Another standout from the conference was ArcGIS Indoors, a powerful tool that turns space management into a streamlined, digital experience.

In 2025, the hybrid workspace is nearly becoming the norm with many companies.  With this ArcGIS Indoors solution, employees can reserve desks or office spaces via desktop or mobile devices. They can even check in when they arrive, allowing for real-time visibility of who is working where and when. Behind the scenes, all that activity data is recorded and reportable, which could support better decision-making around hybrid work, office planning, and resource allocation.

If optimizing workspace usage is a future priority, this could be a compelling addition to our toolkit.

Notable Updates and Innovations

Field Maps + “Tasks” App
Several enhancements are coming to the ArcGIS Field Maps application, including better support for related tables and deeper customization through the Field Maps Designer.

Perhaps more exciting is the upcoming launch of Tasks, a new app set to replace ArcGIS Workforce. Tasks will offer improved daily activity tracking, something we’ve previously explored for municipal clients.  This application functions as a sort of work order management system, providing for the creation and tracking of daily tasks performed by DPW teams.  Paired with ArcGIS Dashboards, it is our belief that this system could be a game changer in how Public Works departments manage and track their day-to-day workflows.

    Enhanced Autodesk + ArcGIS Pro Integration
    With ArcGIS Pro 3.4 and newer, CAD datasets can now be published directly as Portal layers. This could be particularly helpful in the field, allowing construction inspectors to view alignment layers from CAD drawings — a request we’ve received more than once.

    AI Comes to ArcGIS Pro
    AI is officially making its way into the GIS world. The next version of ArcGIS Pro will include an AI Assistant, capable of:

    • Autosymbolizing map features
    • Writing custom Arcade code for custom popups
    • Creating deep learning models (e.g., autogenerating sidewalk layers from aerial imagery)

    While the implications of AI adoption warrant further discussion, it’s clear that the technology is coming quickly — and we should be ready to explore its benefits responsibly.

    Looking Ahead
    The ESRI Conference continues to serve as a vital space for inspiration, reflection, and strategic thinking. While some of these ideas may seem aspirational at first, we at AEW truly believe that with the right level of interest and collaboration, we can use these tools to make our work more efficient, responsive, and forward-thinking. If any of these topics have sparked an interest, or if you’d like to discuss ways that AEW’s GIS Team can assist you in your data and app development efforts, please contact GIS Manager Jeff Miller at (586) 726-1234 or via email at jmmiller@aewinc.com.