[throwaway1244]

100%. Their stronghold on governments (at all levels -- municipal, state, public safety/emergency response) is almost total and quite unfortunate. Very reminiscent of Microsoft/Windows/Office (which have strongholds in the exact same places) or Oracle.

As one example, ESRI's web mapping offerings are very behind the times (in terms of usability, api's, etc.) Mobile support has been atrocious. Outdated software practices + government lock in = terrible public maps and little innovation.

It's not a coincidence that almost nobody chooses them in the private sector for their maps. Just as you'd be surprised to learn that a startup picked Oracle as its database vendor...