Integrating ArcGIS Geoprocessing and Mapping Capabilities into Office 365

GeoDev Meetup - Seattle, WA

November 9th, 2015

David Howes, Ph.D. - David Howes, LLC

dhowes.com

Challenge

Integrate the capabilities of

• Office 365-Excel add-ins

• ArcGIS Server geoprocessing

• ArcGIS Online mapping

Why?

Business Case

• Office 365 is being implemented widely at the enterprise and small business levels

• Excel/ArcGIS integration offers a powerful platform for what Esri terms “GeoEnrichment”

• David Howes, LLC

• GIS consulting business

• Tools, processes and supporting infrastructure

• Clients ranging from small businesses to multinational corporations

Business Case: Client Needs

How to Create the Excel Add-in

How to Include the ArcGIS

Online Map

How to Create the Server Object Extension

How it All Fits Together

Development Configuration

• ArcGIS Server running on laptop

• Data stored in file geodatabase

• Map service using point features

• Map hosted by ArcGIS Online

• Add-in hosted by IIS Express (Visual Studio 2013)

Some Complications

ArcGIS Server Complications: Schema Locks

• File geodatabase lock causes ExtractMultiValuesToPoints tool to fail

“General function failure”

• Workaround for demo:

Surrogate function inserts values into feature class point records

• Tool has worked

• Only ran once

• Second call failed

• ArcGIS Server service restart required

ArcGIS Server Complications: Fields and More Fields

• ExtractMultiValuesToPoints keeps adding field(s)• Doesn’t look good for map tooltips• No option to update existing field(s)

• Preferred solution: Delete existing fields before running tool

• Complication: Delete function (ArcObjects or Delete tool) fails

“General function failure”

• Workaround for demo:• Create a temporary feature class, let tool keep adding fields• Transfer data to main feature class, which has fixed fields

ArcGIS Server Complications: Debugging

It’s tricky…

Takeaway Messages

• Potentially huge market for Office 365/GIS integration

• Investment in learning skills related to server and cloud technology worthwhile

• ArcGIS Server is problematic and expensive

• Persevere,

• Spend more, or

• Consider alternatives

Thanksfor

Coming

http://gispd.com/eventshttp://dhowes.com/presentations

Slides available at: