At the core of ArcGIS Online is the web map. Organizations with ArcGIS Online accounts publish their geo-data; ArcGIS Server endpoints, KML, CSV, shapefiles, as a single targeted web map. This web map can then be embedded in a document. Alternatively, it can be consumed by an application. These apps provide targeted data with custom functionality.

Providers of Web Map Solutions

WebMapSolutions, as the name implies, provide web map solutions. We have a team of ArcGIS Online experts. Our goal is to help organizations get started with ArcGIS Online, to help publish web maps, and provide custom applications which consume this published data.

ArcGIS Online Consultation and Training

Part of our mission is to help organization understand and start working with ArcGIS Online. With any new technology there is an initial learning curve. We can help explain each of the key areas which make up the platform. To provide best use guidance, based on client requirements. Most importantly to demonstrate how ArcGIS Online provides an opportunity for organizations to broaden and deepen their use of GIS technology.

ArcGIS Online Application Development

Our work with ArcGIS Online in focused on 3 key areas:

1) Non-Mobile Web ArcGIS Online

Our development of ArcGIS Online Web based non-mobile apps is dominated by HTML5/Javascript. Now we can write apps which run on all popular browsers across platforms. Esri have introduced the idea of ArcGIS Online solution templates, which allow developers to build applications which are not only integrated into ArcGIS Online, but configurable by users.

Much of our Web focus is on these HTML5/Javascript templates.

2) Mobile Web ArcGIS Online

For mobile browsers, we take the same HTML5/Javascript approach. We are building cross platform apps ie. those which run on Android, iOS, Windows etc with one code base. Most of Esri’s initial work with solution templates is focused on the non-mobile Web, but mobile versions are currently under development. We are part of that development effort.

Styling and performance are areas we pay particular attention. Using responsive Web design, it is possible to build a single application which will return web pages styled for a specific device. So access an app from your tablet, smartphone or PC and in each case the application will look good and work with the given screen size.

We carefully optimize our HTML5/Javascript custom Web apps to maximize performance.

3) Mobile ArcGIS Online

Native mobile apps are commonly those you download and install from the Apple or Android stores. They are written in the native language of the device; Objective-C for iOS and Java for Android. Esri provide tools (API’s) for each. We build native ArcGIS Online applications where performance and deeper access to the mobile device is required.

We also build hybrid installable mobile ArcGIS Online apps. These are apps built for the Web which are converted (wrapped) so they are installable. This allows you to take your cross platform HTML5/Javascript ArcGIS Online Web app and make it available in the mobile app stores. A big question we are often asked is why take a Web application written in HTML5/Javascript and convert it to installable? There are commercial reasons potentially; sell your cross platform app in the various mobile stores. From our perspective one key reason has been to overcome poor wi-fi connectivity and provide offline solutions.

We build hybrid apps in HTML5/Javascript using Phonegap and Mobile Flex.

Contact us to find out more.