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Chapter 5

This chapter introduces ArcGIS Enterprise, its components, and its supporting platforms to build a private WebGIS. ArcGIS Enterprise and organizational subscriptions to ArcGIS Online are complementary implementations of Web GIS. They provide similar functionalities, such as a portal website. ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes is a new deployment option that accompanies Windows and Linux as supported operating systems for ArcGIS Enterprise using microservices and containerization to provide a cloud-native architecture. Map image layers can be drawn dynamically by the server or by using tiles from a cache. Map image layers and feature layers are appropriate for visualizing operational layers. Feature services can generate feature tiles on demand when requested by newer ArcGIS client apps which enable web clients to display more features from the service and provide faster load time by generalizing complex geometries for display. Standards specify the interface that different vendors should use and are an important way to achieve interoperability among different vendors. You can publish web layers using ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise web pages directly or using ArcGIS Pro to visualize, analyze, compile, and share GIS data in 2D and 3D environments. 

 

Chapter 6

This chapter introduces the basic concepts of spatiotemporal data, the values and challenges of loT, and the ArcGIS products that can meet these challenges. The chapter also teaches how to use real-time layers in web maps, create dashboard apps with actions and Arcade-based formatting, create time-enabled layers, and animate time-series data. Spatiotemporal data comes from many sources ranging from manual data entry to data collected using observational sensors or generated from simulation models. Spatiotemporal data includes observations of objects and events that move or change through time such as when and where an observation took place and what activity was observed. loT is the network of physical objects embedded with sensors and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data. The science community, the US federal government, and the private sector have embraced the loT to support the creation of systems and products ranging from enterprise applications to consumer applications. An important application of the loT is the smart city which integrates loT technology to make more efficient use of physical infrastructure.

Chapters Five and Six were done rather smoothly and at this point I felt comfortable enough to work on what I hope will be a great final project to fully sum up how I am learning web GIS. I know I wanted to do a geographic profile of Jack the Ripper in my last GEOG class and here I am finally doing it. I find the web GIS to be easier to use then the software GIS and I am already on the first stages of creating an information layer.

One concern I do have is that I am having a rather hard time creating pop ups that have distinct information about these events, to the point where I fear I will have to create a different layer for each point on the map. If I could only give each point it’s own title and brief description. I felt like editing the features of points on the map was significantly easier in the software then it is here.

Chapter 3 went well without issue. It describes how to use the Experience builder and some of the major working parts of it. The widgets made a lot of sense and I liked how they showed so many different and useful ones.  I found the UI of the experience builder to be a bit confusing, but I think it was due to something with my perception and not the app itself. I think this is a very versatile tool that will really help with communication and making maps more accessible to non-cartography nerds. I know I really would have appreciated a website like this in middle-school if I had known about it. 

 

Chapter 4 had a lot of good information in it too. It talks about all the uses that mobile devices have in GIS, specifically for surveys, collaborative maps, and AR experiences. I think the surveys are a super useful tool, but I find the editable feature layers the most interesting. I think giving the opportunity to coworkers, partners, or volunteers in the community to work on maps with you is an important tool to be used. However, the downside is that you may have people working on maps in different styles when you need one coherent language.

Chapter 5: Caching and On-Premises Web GIS

ArcGIS Enterprise is more user-managed than ArcGIS Online and allows for the use of on-premises GIS, which may be helpful for organizations operating with limited internet connection. The chapter refers to ArcGIS Enterprise services as being “deployed,” which I think is a good word in this context. It also allows operations to remain more private and limited to the specific organization, while also utilizing ArcGIS data and basemaps (through hybrid Web GIS). The ArcGIS Portal compiles the various types of ArcGIS data and shares it within the designated organization. It serves as the “connector” between ArcGIS Online and the organization’s ArcGIS Enterprise. ArcGIS Server allows for the use of geographic information by the organization.

This chapter also describes the differences between different web layers hosted by ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise. I appreciated the refresher on vector and raster layers: vector layers contain more specific data typically based on density, while raster layers are more complete image files like basemaps. Raster layers are best for unchanging data, and they take up more storage, while vector layers may frequently change, but are lighter in terms of storage. Also, ArcGIS Online uses caching, which involves returning to previous requests on the web server to generate tiles, reducing response time and improving user experience. The raster and vector layers are precached, so they are already stored in the database and can be accessed quickly. At the end of the description portion of this chapter, there were a lot of helpful flowcharts and tables detailing the requirements and ideal uses of each type of layer.

In the embedded version of the maps in Tutorial 5.3, the left side is the raster map, and the right side is the vector map. The vector map has noticeable higher-resolution lines and labels, and the raster map data disappears when you zoom in enough.

Figure 4.1: side-by-side of vector (left) and raster (right) tile layers. An indication of which is which comes from the disappearance of raster data at a zoomed-in extent. When saving the raster data, we kept it rather coarse to reduce the amount of storage required for the layer.

 

Chapter 6: Spatiotemporal Data and Real-Time GIS

As the name suggests, spatiotemporal data is data that changes through time. Different types of spatiotemporal data include moving data, discrete data, stationary data, or change data. Real-time GIS utilizes spatiotemporal dat and can either focus on point-in-time data (one field) or duration of time (two fields: one for start time, one for end time). When working with spatiotemporal data, it is important to consider systems of time data, such as measurement and reference systems, representations, and temporal resolution (time interval of sampling).

Another neat aspect of widely disseminated spatiotemporal data is the Internet of Things (IoT). This chapter refers to the IoT as an “ecosystem,” which I think is a neat (and pretty accurate!) way to refer to the massive web of time-based information that is utilized by any GIS-based service. The IoT contains a lot of raw data that GIS applications turn into useful information. An example that the chapter uses is smart cars, and how routing, maps, and road conditions are all utilized by the car for a smooth and safe driving experience.

Figure 4.2: the completed emergency dashboard after Tutorials 6.1 and 6.2. As I was working on this, it was updating and the open incidents number went down!

Chapters 5 and 6 from Getting to know Web GIS focus on caching, on-premises Web GIS, and the role of spatiotemporal/real-time data in GIS applications. While these concepts are more technical, they highlight an important shift in how GIS systems manage and deliver large amounts of data efficiently. These chapters emphasize how Web GIS supports dynamic and scalable data processing. Backtracking to the key term caching, particularly with tile layers, which improves performance by storing pre-built map images. Instead of generating maps every time a user interacts with them, cached layers allow for faster loading and smoother user experiences. This is especially important for large datasets or applications with many users. In contrast, on-premises Web GIS (ArcGIS Enterprise) allows organizations to manage their own data and infrastructure, offering greater control over security and customization compared to cloud-based systems like ArcGIS Online.

Chapter 6 introduces real-time GIS and spatiotemporal data, which adds both space and time into analysis. This allows users to track changes as they happen, such as traffic patterns, weather events, or sensor data. The ability to process and visualize real-time information shows how GIS is becoming more predictive and responsive, rather than just descriptive. An application of these ideas using my own data could involve tracking places I visit over time, such as study locations or travel patterns. By incorporating timestamps and location data, I could create a map that shows how my movement changes over days or weeks. Using cached layers would ensure the app runs efficiently, while real-time updates could make the data more interactive and relevant. These chapters also left me with questions about when to use cloud versus on-premises systems, and how to balance performance with data accuracy when working with real-time information.

The readings from Chapters 3 and 4 focus on ArcGIS Experience Builder and ArcGIS Web AppBuilder, both of which expand the capabilities of Web GIS by allowing users to create fully interactive applications. Simply put, these tools take web maps to another level. They provide a framework for designing customizable, user-focused GIS experiences that integrate maps, data, and interactive tools into a single platform. ArcGIS Web AppBuilder emphasizes convenience through prebuilt widgets and templates, allowing users to quickly create functional apps without coding. The art of coding is something I struggle with, so the use of this system is innovative. Beginners are especially being benefitted from this network for projects that need to be completed efficiently. In contrast, ArcGIS Experience Builder offers more flexibility and a modern design approach, allowing users to create more dynamic and visually engaging applications. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it adaptable across devices, which reflects the growing importance of mobile-friendly GIS.

 One of the most important takeaways from these chapters is how user interaction and design play a major role in Web GIS. It is not just about displaying data, but about how users engage with it through tools like filters, search functions, and interactive dashboards. This highlights a shift from simply presenting geographic information to creating meaningful, user-driven experiences. An application of these ideas using my own data could involve creating an interactive map of meaningful locations in my life, such as places I have lived or traveled. Using Experience Builder, I could design an app that allows users to filter locations by category and view images or descriptions tied to each point. This would create a more immersive and organized experience compared to a basic web map. These chapters also raise questions about when to prioritize simplicity versus customization, and how design choices can influence how effectively users interpret geographic data.

The readings from Chapters 1 and 2 focus on introducing Web GIS and how it has evolved into an accessible system for sharing and analyzing geographic data. Simply describing Web GIS as online mapping would be an understatement – the merging of cloud computing, web services, and GIS has completely transformed how spatial information is used. Web GIS allows users to access data from anywhere and create interactive applications without needing advanced programming skills; in other words, it is quite user friendly. One of the most important concepts discussed, in my opinion, is the role of the geospatial cloud. Particularly in ArcGIS Online, this platform allows users to store, manage, and share geographic data through hosted feature layers, which can be created from simple formats like CSV files. These layers act as the foundation for building web maps and apps, which can then be customized with symbology, pop-ups, and attachments such as images or videos. The workflow from data to layer to map to app highlights how interconnected each component of Web GIS is.

Another key takeaway is how Web GIS supports a wide range of applications, from government decision-making to everyday navigation. The shift toward real-time data and mobile access makes GIS more relevant, making it more used than ever before. This also raises questions about data accuracy and management, especially as more users contribute information. An application of these ideas using my own data could involve creating a map of places I have lived or traveled to. By uploading location data and attaching photos, I could build an interactive app using the Attachment Viewer template. This would allow users to explore each location in a structured and visually engaging way, demonstrating how Web GIS can be used not only for analysis, but also for personal experience.

Chapter 5: This chapter goes over the intricacies of ArcGIS Enterprise, which to my understanding is a form of ArcGIS online. It includes data from the Esri cloud, with the difference being that Enterprise is a locally managed app/databank to be used by members of an organization. It has a wide variety of apps and features that can be implemented, such as ArcGIS Servers, ArcGIS Web Adaptor, ArcGIS Data Store, etc.  This chapter also goes over the different web layer types that can be created in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise, such as raster tile layers that are created from image files, vector tile layers that are more customizable and use the PBF file format, and map image layers that can be drawn by the server or by using files from a cache.

Chapter 6: This chapter is about spatiotemporal data, which includes things like moving data points that can be used for EMS purposes (tracking ambulances, fire engines, squad cars), and fixed data points like crimes, points of interest, and car crashes. The chapter also covers real-time GIS which covers continuous data points which change over time. Examples of this are temperature, wind speed, and precipitation. An interesting topic in this chapter is IoT, or Internet of Things. This refers to the modern phenomenon where a lot of the things we use to live our day-to-day lives are capable of sensing conditions and communicating with one-another. A good example of this are smart cars that are capable of self driving. These cars use the IoT in tandem with built-in sensors and computers to calculate their own position as well as the position of things around them, even in conditions that humans would not be able to see well in.  It was also interesting to do the tutorials for this chapter and see that the map was updating in real time.

An application for chapter 6’s information could be used on trail maps to report things like trail obstructions, hazardous conditions, and sightings of dangerous wildlife. Trail cams could be used along with hiker reports to create a map for the trail that could be used by park rangers.

Payne Week 4 

Chapter 5 talks about how ArcGIS Enterprise allows organizations to build high performance WebGIS systems through on premises hosting and tile caching. Unlike ArcGIS Online Enterprise runs on private servers which gives organizations flexibility to match their needs. Tile caching is a big focus in this chapter and is a technique where map tiles are pre-rendered at different scales so they can be quickly ‘delivered’ to users rather than being generated every time a request is made.This makes working with large datasets on smaller devices like phones much easier. This chapter also discusses different layer types such as raster tiles, vector tiles, map image layers, and feature tiles. I found this chapter a little more confusing and technical than some of the others and I had to reread a few parts but after that it was easy to understand. 

Chapter 6 goes over spatiotemporal data, which is information that tracks where things are and how they change over time. GIS tools like ArcGIS Velocity and ArcGIS Dashboards can take the raw information given from this data and turn it into something useful and visual. The concept of spatiotemporal data seemed to be pretty straightforward but I think that it would be a challenge to both handle the large amounts of data that are collected on a daily basis and to create a successful visualization of the data that leaves out the non important information. 

Possible applications: With modern weather apps and navigation apps collecting so much data I imagine there could be an interface where severe weather patterns are mapped alongside directions to allow drivers to know what is coming in real time. An example of this would be if you were driving down the highway in light rain but there is a pocket of very heavy rain with limited visibility ahead and your navigation app could both warn you and give a real time radar image that is laid over your navigation screen. 

Payne Week 3 

Chapter 3: This chapter starts by introducing the Experiences Builder which is a primary tool in this chapter. This tool deals with 2D and 3D data and seems to be pretty tuneable to what you need. This tool was pretty easy to use and get used to. The step by step tutorials helped clear up a little bit of confusion I had with the tool and I only had to go back through a few sections of the tutorials. I overall struggled a little with this chapter but not anymore or less than I have with the others. 

Chapter 4: This chapter focuses on how to build mobile GIS apps and the benefits of doing this. A large focus is how the use of this allows for more accessibility to a larger audience of people as practically everyone has a phone on them. After the introduction of this the chapter focuses on the three step process/approach to building mobile apps with GIS. These three different types of approaches to building a mobile app are browser based, native based, and hybrid based. The last part of the chapter describes different useful Esri mobile apps and what they are meant for. 

Possible application: One possible application could be creating an app to map and track animals’ trail uses over time and include data such as daily weather, seasons, and elevation to try to identify patterns with certain groups or species of animals.