Introduction to

Harut Shahumyan, Ph.D.

harut@umd.edu

GIS Components and the Increasing Distance between Them

1960-1970: located on one

computer.

1980-1990: distributed GIS

emerged with adaptation of
LAN. Components were
commonly located in one or
multiple buildings.

1993: the Xerox developed a

web-based map viewer,
marking the origins of Web GIS.

With the birth of Web GIS these

components are separated
even further apart.

Web GIS Concept

Web GIS is any GIS that uses Web technologies
The simplest architecture of web GIS should have at least a web application server and a client (2-tier)

Web Browser Client

URL

Internet
Desktop Client

Web GIS Server

Mobile Client

Web GIS Concept

At its most basic, it has a 3-tiered architecture

GIS
Database Server

Data tier
Holds the data required for
GIS servers and web clients

Web GIS Server

Logical tier
Determines the content,
functionality and capability of
web GIS apps.

Client (web browser,

desktop or mobile)

Presentation tier
Online maps or the
results of analysis as
seen in web browsers,
smartphones, etc.

Why web GIS?

Global reach

Large number of users

Low cost per user

Better cross-platform capabilities

Easy to use

Easy to maintain

Diverse applications

Use of cloud computing technology

Some of the Strengths of Web GIS

Mapping and query the most commonly used function

-

Spatial identity query: What is located there?

Attribute query: Where are located particular objects?

Collection of geospatial information (Wikimapia, OpenStreetMap, official data

collection, etc.)

Dissemination of geospatial information (USGS, EU INSPIRE, ArcGIS.com, etc.)

Encourages collaboration

Leverages existing resources rather than duplicating efforts to re-create them

Leads to reduced costs and increased efficiency

Geospatial analysis
-

Measuring distances and areas

Finding optimal driving path

Finding an address, etc.

Uses
Web GIS is a new business model

Placement of advertising based on Web mapping used by Google, Microsoft, etc.

ESRI Business Analyst Online combines GIS technology with demographic,

consumer spending and many other type of business data to deliver business
functionality.

Strategic planning, marketing, customer service and daily operations.

Store location presented in the website

Water supply company checking complains

Fedex tracking its vehicles

Powerful tool for e-government

-

Increase public awareness

Obtain information from public

Essential component of daily life

-

Where is one of the proverbial 5 Ws and 1 H who, hat, when, WHERE, why and how

Examples of Applications
Public information services

USGS delivers near-real-time information on natural disasters

The National Weather Service publishes on real-time weather conditions and

forecasts

CDC provides information on infectious disease outbreaks, environmental hazards,

chronic health conditions, etc.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) creates and maintains flood
maps to let individuals and insurance companies evaluate risks

EPA delivers information on air and water quality

Local governments use parcel boundary data to give information on real property
ownership, planning and zoning

The US Census Bureau uses GIS to gather, process and disseminate statistical
information about USA.

The new ArcGIS is a web GIS

ArcGIS: A platform for collaboration

Citizens
Managers

Mapping

Analysis

Visualization

Knowledge
Workers

Deployed
Users

Enterprise
Integration

Professional GIS
http://video.arcgis.com/watch/916/arcgis-online-overview

. . . A Framework for Sharing, and Collaborating

One map, anywhere, anytime, on any Device!

Smart Phones

Social Media

Tablets

Web Sites

Desktop

Browsers

One Map
ArcGIS Online

ArcGIS Online:
An online repository of GIS maps, apps, and tools
Using ArcGIS Online you can

Make your own maps

Discover and use maps and apps

Find and use other resources, like tools and templates

Save, organize and share your work

Create and join online communities

ArcGIS Online information model

Users

Groups

Own

Index

Own or join

Index

Items

Tags

Access & privileges

Users See a customized view
of the site, use the organization's
maps, apps, layers, and tools,
and join groups owned by the
organization. Can create maps
and apps, add items, share
content, and create groups.
Publishers User privileges,
plus the ability to publish
features and map tiles as hosted
web layers. They can also
perform analysis.

Administrators User and

Publisher privileges plus
privileges to manage the
organization and other users.

ArcGIS Online

Anonymous

Named users

User

Publisher

Administrator

With whom do you want to share?

Private

Marketing
group

Sales group

Public

Organization

ArcGIS Online sharing levels

Public
Organization
Group

Private

What types of content can be shared?

-

Maps
Data layers
Data files
Services and Tools
Applications

Hosted content

Feature service

Tile package

ArcGIS Online

Tiled map service

Map package
Zipped shapefile

CSV and text files

What is a service?
A GIS resource (a map, locator, image, etc.) that is located on an server site and is made available to
client applications.

Clients

HTTP

Services

Resources
and data

Feature service
Supports
vector feature querying,
visualization,
editing.
Most appropriate for visualizing data
on top of base maps.
In web apps, hosted feature layers are
drawn by the browser and support
interactive highlighting, queries, and
pop-ups.

Tiled map service

Supports fast map visualization using
a collection of pre-drawn map images,
or tiles. These tiles are created and
stored on the server after you upload
your data.
Are appropriate for base maps that
give your maps geographic context.

Tile cache
Makes map and image services run
faster.
The server draws the entire map at
several different scales and stores
copies of the map images (it's much
quicker for the server to return a
cached image than to draw the map).
The amount of detail in the image
doesn't noticeably affect how quickly
the server can distribute the copy.

What is a web map?

Operational layer

Basemap layer

An ArcGIS web map is an interactive display of geographic information that you can use to tell
stories and answer questions. Usually contains a basemap; layers; an extent; a legend; and
navigation tools such as zoom, pan, place finders, and bookmarks.

Authoring a web map

Determine
necessary data

Add data to the

web map

Configure web
map capabilities

Task

Save the web

map

Web map tool

Edit the data

Enable editing

Visually differentiate between data

Symbology

Work with data that meets a specific attribute value

Filter

Locate predefined areas

Bookmark

Gather information about the data

Pop-up

View data

View pop-ups
View legend
View time maps
Change transparency
Apply filters
Show tables
Get directions
Measure

Pop-ups

Charts

Images and Links

Symbols: Smart mapping

http://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/2015/03/02/introducing-smart-mapping/

Perform Analysis

Summarize data
Find locations
Data enrichment
Analyze patterns
Use proximity
Manage data
Use Filters

Web maps to web apps

Web app
Web map

Build your own Apps with

Web App Builder, or
choose from one of many
Configurable Apps
Hosted by ArcGIS
Online

Hosted by your web

server

Services

Web GIS app Basemaps

Operational layers

Tools

Apps
Putting together the entire information experience

The steps for publishing an app

1.

Choose a type

2.

Assemble content

3.

Choose a template

4.

Publish

5.

Refine

Type

Refine

Publish

Content

Template

Choosing a type

The story

The audience

Audience knowledge

Essential components
-

maps, photos, videos, etc...

Map or group based

Decide which app best suits your story

Assemble content

Author map services

Create feature services for editing

Leverage content from spreadsheets

Author web maps

Gather media (photos, videos, documents)

Create groups

Choose a template

Several web app templates

Configurable

Open source

Responsive

Publish and Refine

Verify goals met

Add / delete functions as necessary

Proofread

Iterate

Important map and layer properties

What you set in the map makes it to the app!

Search

Bookmarks

Time

Enable / disable editing

Labels

Refresh interval

Where to publish?
Deployment Considerations

ArcGIS Online
-

Highly scalable, cloud environment

No web server required

Apps update when portal updates

On premise
-

IT legwork required

Web server required

Must update apps manually

ArcGIS

Which app to choose?

Show Table

Time

X
X
X

X
X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

Enrichment

Weather

Social Media

Splash
Screen

Demographi
cs

Layer
Search

Routing

Change
Basemaps

Print

Legend

Edit

Geosearch

Analysis

Find My
Location

Story

Responsive

Template
Basic Viewer
Chrome Twitter
Compare Analysis
Directions
Edit
Elevation Profile
Filter
Find Edit Filter
Finder
Geo Form
Impact Summary
Information Lookup
Legend
Local Perspective
Map Tools
Public Information
Simple Map Viewer
Story Map Basic
Story Map Journal
Story Map Series
Story Map Swipe
Story Map Tour
Summary Viewer
Time Aware

A breakdown of apps by category

X
X

X
X

I need to know where I am

Apps that allow users to find their location on the map

Basic Viewer

Information Lookup

Directions

Legend

Edit

Local Perspective

Filter

Map Tools

Find, Edit, Filter

Public Information

Finder

Simple Map Viewer

Geo Form

Story Map Series

Impact Summary

Story Map Swipe / Spyglass

I need to find addresses

Apps that allow geosearch

Basic Viewer

Legend

Directions

Local Perspective

Edit

Map Tools

Elevation Profile

Public Information

Filter

Simple Map Viewer

Geo Form

Story Map Swipe / Spyglass

Impact Summary

Information Lookup

I need a route
Apps that provide routes and directions

Directions

Local Perspective

I need a legend
Apps that provide a legend

Basic Viewer

Elevation Profile

Basic

Impact Summary

Journal

Map Series

Swipe / Spyglass

Legend

Map Tools

Public Information

Simple Map Viewer

Time Aware

Story Maps

I need to change basemaps

Apps that can toggle basemaps

Basic Viewer

Impact Summary

Edit

Information Lookup

Find, Edit, Filter

Map Tools

Finder

Public Information

Geo Form

Summary Viewer

I need to search
Apps that provide layer search

Basic Viewer

Finder

Edit

Legend

Elevation Profile

Map Tools

Filter

Simple Map Viewer

Find, Edit, Filter

I need to tell a story

Apps that provide narrative

Story Maps
-

Basic

Journal

Series

Swipe / Spyglass

Tour

Compare Analysis

Impact Summary

Legend

Many more at storymaps.esri.com

I need analysis
Apps that have analysis / geoprocessing capability

Directions

Elevation Profile

Impact Summary

Information Lookup

Local Perspective

Summary Viewer

I need to edit
Apps that allow feature and attribute editing

Basic Viewer

Edit

Find, Edit, Filter

I need to print
Apps that allow printing

Basic Viewer

Finder

Map Tools

I need a splash screen

Apps that let you show a disclaimer upon launch

Information Lookup

Public Information

I need other capabilities

Other app capabilities not mentioned so far

Integrated demographics / geoenrichment

Social media feeds

Tables

Weather

Time

What if I need functions from 2 or more of these templates?!?

Then you need Web AppBuilder

Similar workflow

20 + widgets

WYSIWYG configuration

Same hosting options

Dont over do it!

Web AppBuilder
Builder

Widgets

HTML5/JavaScript

http://doc.arcgis.com/en/living-atlas/about/

More apps, resources and support

Configurable Apps
(http://www.arcgis.com/home/gallery.html#c=esri&t=apps&o=modified&f=configurable )

Story Maps ( http://storymaps.arcgis.com )

Web App Builder ( http://doc.arcgis.com/en/web-appbuilder )

App Studio (http://appstudio.arcgis.com )

ArcGIS Online Help ( http://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online )

ArcGIS Solutions ( http://solutions.arcgis.com )

Getting to Know Web GIS

by Pinde Fu
Paperback and Electronic: 392 pages
Published: 2015
ISBN: 9781589483842
eISBN: 9781589484030

A workbook, with step-by-step exercises, that

teaches how to share resources online and build
web GIS applications easily and quickly.
Covers the Esri suite of web GIS technologies,
including ArcGIS Online, Portal for ArcGIS,
ArcGIS for Server, web app templates, Web
AppBuilder for ArcGIS, ArcGIS API for
JavaScript, the Collector for ArcGIS mobile app,
ArcGIS Runtime SDKs for Mobile, and 3D web
scenes.

Thanks
Acknowledgement
Slides in this presentation are adapted from the materials
of ESRI 2015 User Conference Technical Workshops,
ESRI website and Getting to Know Web GIS textbook.
Credits: Ben Ramseth, John Thieling, Matt Kennedy

Create ArcGIS Online public account

https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online/reference/create-account.htm
1.

From the www.arcgis.com website, click

the Sign In link on the upper right.

2.

Click Create a Public Account.

3.

Input your user name, password and other

requested information.

4.

Click Review and Accept the Terms of Use

button and Accept the terms of use.

5.

Click the Create My Account button.

You may need to click on the validation link in the

welcome email sent by ESRI to complete
registration.

Lab Work
Exercise 1
Develop a web application comparing
homeless counts, percentages, and
change in the United States, with an
emphasis on the homeless problem in
North Dakota.
http://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/homel
ess-in-the-badlands/

Exercise 2
Develop a Story Map: A phot map tour
http://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/getstarted-with-story-maps/lessons/createa-photo-map-tour/