Makes the process of exploring various data types easier as it is compatible with a wide set of data. For the early process when you identify useful data, ArcGIS is great to map it quickly and efficient allowing you to figure out what to do with it i.e. ESRI data formats in shapefiles was predominantly easier to deal with using ArcGIS. 

Since implementing ESRi ArcGIS as a platform for the analysis of geographic data, the team has felt very satisfied with their work.