Licensing & Acquisition

Tufts Technology Services manages and supports several Geospatial software. Please see the following for information on:

  • ESRI ArcGIS Desktop: ArcMap & ArcGIS Pro
  • ESRI ArcGIS Web Based Tools
  • QGIS Software
  • GeoDa Software
  • ENVI Remote Sensing Software
  • ERDAS Imagine Remote Sensing Software
  • Google Earth Pro Software
  • Sketch Up Pro Software
  • DNR GPS Software

For more information on software availability, please see the Tufts Technology Services Software Page or email the Data Lab at DataLab-support@elist.tufts.edu. Click to see a full list of software that is installed in the Data Labs.

Access the TTS Remote Lab for GIS software
Users can access any GIS software on the TTS Remote Labs. See the following guides to use the TTS Remote Lab on a Windows computer or a Mac computer.

Click here for instructions on how to access and install Data Lab software remotely


ESRI ArcGIS Desktop: ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Desktop is the industry standard GIS software for users to create maps, perform spatial analysis, and manage data. The two primary desktop applications for ArcGIS users are ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro, which include the following extensions:

  • 3D Analyst
  • ArcPad Data Manager
  • Data Interoperability
  • Data Reviewer
  • Geostatistical Analyst
  • Network Analyst
  • Publisher
  • Spatial Analyst
  • Spatial Statistics
  • Tracking Analyst

See below to install ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro software on your personal computer or Tufts owned computer. If you have any issues of questions, please email DataLab-support@elist.tufts.edu for further assistance.

Tufts Technology Services holds a university-wide site license. It is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs, in addition to most Windows computer labs throughout campus. It is also available on the TTS Virtual Lab. ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro can be installed on any Tufts-owned or faculty personal computer. Additionally, we provide a 1-year free student version via a digital download key. The software may only be used for educational, research, and academic purposes, and not for commercial use or resale. The software only runs on a Windows OS. Click to see a list of Tufts computer labs with ArcGIS installed

Resources for Installing ArcGIS Desktop

Access the TTS Remote Lab for GIS software
Users can access any GIS software on the TTS Remote Labs. See the following guides to use the TTS Remote Lab on a Windows computer or a Mac computer.


ESRI ArcGIS Web Based Tools

Esri ArcGIS has many different and popular web-based applications available to Tufts University students, faculty and staff through our Tufts Organization Account for your mapping, spatial analysis and storytelling needs.

The list to the right are some of the most popular ESRI ArcGIS web-based tools used at Tufts University. To see a full list of available ESRI products, visit: https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/index

Click to view instructions on how to log into these applications using the Tufts Organization Account.


QGIS Software Information

QGIS is a free and open-source desktop geographic information system (GIS) application that supports viewing, editing, and analysis of geospatial data. It can be installed on Windows OS, Mac OS and Linux platforms. QGIS integrates with other open-source GIS packages, including PostGIS, GRASS GIS, and MapServer.

How to access and install QGIS from home
This guide provides information on how to access QGIS for your Mac OS or Windows PC. QGIS is available on the Tufts Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) and is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs. For QGIS learning resources, please visit our QGIS page. 


GeoDa Software Information

GeoDa is a free and open source software tool that serves as an introduction to spatial data analysis. It is designed to facilitate new insights from data analysis by exploring and modeling spatial patterns. GeoDa runs on Windows, MacOSX and Linux (Ubuntu).

How to access and install GeoDa from home
This guide provides information on how to install GeoDa on your personal Windows, Mac or Linux computer. Geoda is available on the Tufts Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) and is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs.


ENVI + IDL

ENVI is a remote sensing software used for processing and analyzing geospatial imagery. ENVI software combines spectral image processing and image analysis technology.

If you are interested in using ENVI’s remote sensing software for class or research, please email the DataLab-Support@elist.tufts.edu to request access to the software for your Tufts owned Windows or Mac computer. ENVI is also available on the TTS Remote Lab. See the following guides to use the TTS Remote Lab on a Windows computer or a Mac computer.


ERDAS Imagine Software

ERDAS Imagine is software designed for processing, interpretation, and analysis of remotely sensed imagery.

ERDAS is installed in the Medford Data Lab. Tufts Technology Services owns five floating licenses of ERDAS Imagine. To install ENVI on your Tufts owned computer, please email DataLab-support@elist.tufts.edu and we can assist.


Google Earth Pro

Google Earth Pro is a free geospatial software application that displays a virtual globe, which offers the ability to analyze and capture geographical data.

Google Earth Pro is available to download for free on your personal Mac OS or Windows PC. Google Earth Pro is available on the Tufts Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) and is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs.

SketchUp Pro

Sketch Up Pro is a 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural design, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film, and video game design.

SketchUp Pro is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs. Tufts faculty can get SketchUp Pro installed on their Tufts-owned computer. Please contact IT@tufts.edu for help installing and accessing the software. We do not currently have a student version of the software but a lighter version of the software is available for free.
Sketchup Pro is also available on the TTS Remote Lab. See the following guides to use the TTS Remote Lab on a Windows computer or a Mac computer.


DNR GPS Software

DNRGPS is an open-source software built to transfer data between Garmin handheld GPS receivers and GIS software.

DNRGPS is available to download for free on your personal Windows PC. DNRGPS is available on the Tufts Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) and is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs.


Additional Software

TTS provides several single-use and limited software and GIS tools and extensions in the Data Lab. These software are not available for individual download. For the full list of all software installed in the Data Lab, please see our Software Page

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