Lab 2: Creating and Publishing Geospatial Web Services

Introduction

The goal of this lab was to get familiar with using geospatial data to create and publish web services. A web service is an application that can be utilized through the internet on a platform that allows the user access to information and sometimes the ability to edit or maintain that information. For this lab, ArcGIS Online was the platform used to create these web services.

Methods

Part 1 - Section 1:

The first objective of this lab was to publish a web service using geospatial data stored on my computer. This was done by downloading a Wisconsin transportation dataset and importing it to ArcGIS online. This service contains Wisconsin cities, counties, interstates, and highways layers that were edited in ArcGIS online to represent the data in a visually pleasing and informative manner.

Figure 1: First step to editing layer symbology.

The first step in creating an aesthetically pleasing web service was to edit the symbology. In ArcGIS Pro, the way to do this was by clicking the "Change Style" icon underneath the layer name in the map viewer.

Figure 2: Second step in changing symbology.

Next, the user would be prompted to select their layer attribute to show and the associated symbology which is presented in figure 2.

Figure 3: Setting the symbology for the layer.

Then, the user would arrive at a page much like the one presented in figure 3. Here, the user can set any and/or all of the layer's symbology properties like the symbol, symbol size and color, transparency, and visual scale range.

Figure 4: Summary page for the Wisconsin Transportation Web Service.

http://uwec.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=80535cbbccf744e1ad67e263b80b708d

Part 1 - Section 2:

The next service published to ArcGIS Online was done so by importing a geospatial data table in a comma delineated format. Once the dataset was brought into ArcGIS Online, the coordinate information was matched with the X and Y fields in the table to symbolize fire occurrences of 2004 in Wisconsin. Once this was done, the attribute pop-ups were configured to display only relevant information when the user clicks on a particular point.

Figure 5: (left) More options list for editing a feature layer in ArcGIS Online Map Viewer.

The pop-ups for this web service were configured to show the date and time of the fire when its location is clicked.

Part 1 - Section 3:

The next method used to publish a web service was connecting to ArcGIS Online through ArcMap and using a map document as the foundation for the service. The first step in doing this was to create the map document in ArcMap. For this map document, "rivers and streams" and "lakes" of Wisconsin shapefiles were used. After naming the map "Wisconsin Water Bodies", the user signs into their ArcGIS Online account, through Enterprise, in ArcMap.

Figure 6: First step to logging into ArcGIS Online.

When logging into ArcGIS Online, the user must go to File > Sign In... pictured in figure 6.

Figure 7: Sign in using the Enterprise account.

From there, the user will trigger a pop-up window, like the one shown in figure 7. For this lab, I used my enterprise account, but a normal ESRI user account works fine too.

Figure 8: For an Enterprise login, use organization credentials.

If the user is using an Enterprise login, they would be prompted to enter in their organization login credentials in a similar pop-up window to the one displayed in figure 8.

Figure 9: Check to ensure the login was successful.

Once the user has entered in their ESRI login information, the pop-up windows should close and the user returns to the ArcMap document. To ensure that the login was successful, the user can check under the File tab (see Figure 9). The user's account name should be next to the words "Sign Out-". If not, try logging in again starting at Figure 6.

Upon logging into ArcGIS Online in ArcMap, the user can share their map document as a service in ArcGIS Online. To do this, the user would go to File > Share as > Service. A Service Editor Wizard opens. When clicking through the Service Editor Wizard, the user inputs their ArcGIS Online connection type ("My Hosted Services (UW-Eau Claire - Geography and Anthropology)"), a name for the service ("Wisconsin_Water-Bodies_Service_Miller"), an item description (Summary, Tags, Description, Access Use and Constraints, and Credits as information regarding the web service), and sharing properties (Geog455Fall2017).

Next, the user ensures the successful creation and transfer of the web service by clicking the Analyze button in the Service Editor Wizard. A window at the bottom of the map document appears with all, if any, errors with the service. There are three types of error severity: High, Medium, and Low. Ultimately, it is up to the user to decide which errors to address and correct, or ignore and publish anyway. The more high severity errors the service has, the more likely something will go wrong when publishing or creating the service. Once the user has analyzed their service, click Publish. If the service was published correctly, a pop-up window will show, telling the user the good news. The user can check the status of the service by going to ArcGIS Online. The service should appear under My Content. 

From there the user can edit their web service and publish it in ArcGIS Online's Map Viewer. 

Part 2 - Section 1:

For this method, the service was published to the UWEC geography department's ArcGIS server. The first step was to connect to the user's database in the server. To do this, go to Add Database Connection in ArcMap's Catalog window. (see Figure 10)

Figure 10: Double click Add Database Connection to connect to user's database in server.

Then a pop-up window will open and the user will be prompted to enter their database information and credentials. (see Figure 11)

Figure 11: Enter database information and hit OK.

The user should then see their database under Database Connections. From there, a classified land use raster was imported to the database using the Right-Click > Import > Raster datasets... command for the user's database in the catalog window. Once the raster was placed in the database, the symbology for landuse classes were established. Then, using the "share as a service" feature in ArcMap the Service Editor Wizard was used again to publish the map as a service, only this time, to  UWEC's ArcGIS server.

Figure 12: Raster service published to UWEC's ArcGIS server.

Part 2 - Section 2:

From there, the service was brought into ArcGIS Online using the hyperlink pictured in Figure 12, and published as a web service. (see Figure 13)

Figure 13: Web service shown in ArcGIS Map Viewer.

Part 2 - Section 3:

For this section of the lab, a web service was published to ArcGIS Online from ArcGIS Pro. The procedure for this was identical to Part 2 - Section 2, except ArcGIS Pro was used instead of ArcMap. 

The user would start by creating a new File Geodatabase in ArcCatalog and copying the Chippewa Valley land use raster dataset to it. From there, the user would sign in to their ArcGIS Online account through ArcGIS Pro in a similar way to the last section. Then, the user would create a new project and connect to their new file geodatabase- adding the embedded raster file to the project. Next, the user would enter the metadata to the general tab in the raster properties. Lastly, the project was shared by going to Share > Web Layer > Publish Web Layer, and all the subsequent settings in the Service Editor Wizard would be established, analyzed, and published in the same way as the previous section.

Part 3:

For this part of the lab, a Map document was created in ArcMap and two feature class layers were imported to the geodatabase on UWEC's ArcGIS server- a Hurricanes and an Earthquakes layer. The Hurricane layer displays projected paths of all hurricanes in the Atlantic from the year 2000 and 2009. The Earthquake layer shows point locations for all earthquakes in the United States between the same nine-year span.

In ArcMap, both the Hurricanes layer and Earthquakes layer were separated into three classes, using a graduated symbology for Earthquakes and a graduated color symbology for Hurricanes. From there, the time interval setting in the layer properties was enabled and the correct column was used for the Time Field setting.

Once the time interval was established, the service was published to the ArcGIS server and then imported as a Web Service in ArcGIS Online through the Add Layer from Web function in the platform. The service was edited and cleaned up in ArcGIS Online's Map Viewer.

Discussion

Overall, there are many different ways to create and publish web services to ArcGIS Online, and I'm sure, in other various platforms as well. Depending on the user's experience with ArcGIS Online, ArcMap, and ArcGIS Pro, which method is preferred is up to the user's discretion. Personally, I thought publishing a Web Service to ArcGIS Online through ArcMap was my preferred method. This is most likely due to the fact that I'm well versed in ArcMap and connecting to ArcGIS Online from that platform, and not so comfortable with the other methods.

Each method is useful in not only being flexible with ESRI products and the different ways to publish web services with them, but also in understanding web GIS fundamentals. These include: understanding connections between the desktop interface, the university server, and ArcGIS Online. Publishing services to and from UWEC's ArcGIS server helped me to better understand the movement, storage, and exchange of data within the ESRI products I use almost everyday.

Although I was able to publish everything correctly, I did run into some issues in this lab. When I attempted to complete Part 2 - Section 1 of this lab, my student server wasn't set up properly and the service wouldn't publish to the server correctly. A new server was set up for me and I was able to publish without fail. 

Lab 1: Cloud GIS Basics

Introduction

The purpose of this lab was to practice using datasets and making story maps with ESRI's cloud-based GIS platform, ArcGIS Online. This application is particularly useful for simple spatial analyses and presenting easily accessible geographic information. With plenty of user-contributed data, the user can manipulate data available or upload their own data to the application.

Methods

Part I:

The first part of this lab was to explore and customize a web map with data from ESRI. Volcanoes, roads, and schools on Hawaii Island were used to analyze lava flow risk. This exercise was particularly useful in showing how a ArcGIS Online user can add, customize, and share a web mapping application through the platform.

Figure 1: Web Map interface.

Figure 2: Terrain layer detail.

Figures one and two show what the ArcGIS Online application looks like when using it. There are limited viewing and manipulation options for the user to experiment with in the platform. Legend organization, layer transparency, label options, visible scale range, and symbology are a few examples of activities that were carried out in the first part of this lab.

Part II:

In the second part of this lab, a story map was created using the ArcGIS Online platform. For this exercise, the user simply creates a new map, selects their basemap, and chooses a template- in this case, the "story map tour" template was used. From there, the user uploads pictures with their location information to their map. Either coordinates or an address can be used. For this exercise, photos from a UWEC department of geography & anthropology field trip to Texas were used.

Figure 3: Story Map Application.

Once the user is done uploading their pictures and information for their story map, the application can be shared either publicly or be made available to only members of a specific organization.

Discussion

This platform proved to be a fairly simplistic way to disseminate spatial information and/or create story maps. A benefit of this platform was the sheer amount of information available. If an ESRI user wanted to perform a simple analysis for a project, this Web GIS platform might be a great option for them- especially if they don't have extensive training in using other GIS platforms like ArcMap, QGIS, etc. The platform also almost guarantees an aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-understand result due to the limited abilities of the site. This of course becomes one of the downsides to this platform. If a user wanted to perform an in depth analysis or perform complex data manipulations like running slope analysis or surface volume tools, this platform would most likely not be the best option.

Overall, this platform is a convenient and easy way to perform simple analyses in an online solution.

Link to Story Map: http://uwec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=c5b3df545d50410496dc4c38dee8f3a2