The following tutorial is designed for the use of ArcMap 10 and ArcPad 10 in an enterprise environment without ArcGIS Server. Use the Check Out process to create map projects in ArcMap 10 that can be exported to ArcPad for use in the field. Once data has been edited in the field with ArcPad on a GPS unit, use the Check In proceedure to update the data in the ArcMap Map Project. This allows users to keep data current for facilities management and other enterprise projects.
To create a map project with shapefiles and orthoimagery that can be exported/imported using the Check Out/Check In process, all map layers must be stored in a File Geodatabase. Use ArcCatalog 10 to create the File Geodatabase and any shapefiles you need. Import orthoimagery or other data to the File Geodatabase.
Add data from your File Geodatabase to a blank ArcMap Document. Save the Map Project to the File Geodatabase.
Check Out Map Project Layers
In the saved Map Project, click on the Get Data for ArcPad button in the ArcPad Data Manager tool bar. A welcom screen will appear.
Click Next. The Get Data for Arcpad - Select Data dialog box will appear. You should see the layers from your Map Project/File Geodatabase.
Click on the Actions column header to extend the Actions drop down menu.
Choose Checkout all Geodatabase layers and copyout all other layers. This will change the status from "Do not export" to "Checkout Data" for the shapefiles and "Background JPG200" for any background images/raster files in the database.
Click Next. The Select Picture Options dialog box will appear. You may use this dialog box if you have existing photos of Features you will be tracking. If you do not have photos, click Next.
The Select Output Options dialog box will appear.
Check In Map Project Layers
Here's the actual tutorial:
Adapted from the ESRI Knowledge Base article, "What is the difference between the ArcPad toolbar and the ArcPad Data Manager toolbar?" accessed July 1, 2011 from http://support.esri.com/en/knowledgebase/techarticles/detail/36035.
The ArcPad toolbar is available in ArcMap 8.3 and later versions, and can be accessed by selecting View > Toolbars.
Use the 'Get Data For ArcPad' button to create shapefiles (.shp) for use in ArcPad. It also provides the option to create an .apm file (ArcPad map document) during the check out process.
The 'Get Data From ArcPad' button is activated when an Edit Session is started. Checking in edits made in ArcPad changes the original .shp files to match the edited .shp files.
Feature classes and shapefiles are checked out using the 'Get Data For ArcPad' button, and both result in .shp files.