ArcGIS Online vs. ArcMap:

Comparing the

Geoprocessing from Three

Mini Case Studies

Keith Darby

City of Wheaton

October 18, 2016

http://resources.arcgis.com/es/help/getting-

started/articles/GUID-B6763213-57F3-49FD-9183-

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http://image.slidesharecdn.com/arcgisonline-120316123335-

phpapp01/95/hawaii-pacific-gis-conference-2012-esri-arcgis-online-arcgis-

online-61-728.jpg?cb=1331902295

ArcGIS Online Processing Tools

With every new version, ESRI will either

release or enhanced existing geoprocessing

tools.

Some of these tools can already be found in

ArcMap (e.g. buffer, dissolve, etc).

Even with the release of these tools, or even

storing data, ESRI will not let ArcGIS Online be

used for its full extent for free.

With an ArcGIS Online license, users will have

to pay service credits depending on the tool

and the amount of data that will be processed.

Currently at the City of Wheaton

On occasion, there will be a request to

use a sophisticated geospatial tool to

complete a project.

No formal license extension purchases

(Network Analyst, Spatial Analyst, etc).

Review the existing geoprocessing tools

in ArcGIS Online.

Contact ESRI to activate a 60 day trial on

any extension as needed.

Research Study Questions

Can you get similar results if you are

using ArcGIS Online than an ArcMap

extension?

What are the limitations of the ArcGIS

Online tools?

Is it more cost efficient to use ArcGIS

Online than purchasing an extension?

Case #1: Customized Routing

The Forestry Division is continuing to

replant trees from the emerald ash borer.

Working with a consultant, their goal is to

replace trees on a seasonal basis while

maintaining a diverse tree species in the

affected areas.

After classifying which trees will be planted,

then its time to create a planting tree route

that is simple and easy to navigate.

FALL 2016

PLANTING:

439 TREES

AGOL Limitations

The AGOL tool has a maximum limit of 200 “stops” that can be used per analysis.

Overall, AGOL has failed do this restriction.

In order to show the two comparisons; the amount of trees for this analysis was reduced to 75 trees. Focusing on the southeast side of the city.

Use 1 service credit per analysis.

Case #1 Conclusions

There is a difference in results between AGOL and Network Analyst.

Spend less time configuring in AGOL than with the Network Analyst.

Creating and using network analyst can be a significant learning curve.

AGOL uses 1 service credit per each revision while Network Analyst is “free.”

Would like to see if added barriers and time settings to determine if the results would be similar or different.

Case #2: Geocoding

Postal addresses will change for certain

residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

Important to have accurate address databases for

historical purposes and requests from government

agencies (county, state, federal, etc.)

City of Wheaton has 23,050 active mailing

addresses

ESRI World Geocoding Service

One of the most expensive to use for service credits:

40 credits per 1,000 addresses.

City of Wheaton Service Credits Used: 922

Geocoding Settings

Used 3 geocoders for this study: World Geocoding Service,

In House, and DUCOMM.

Used the default settings in the advanced options:

Spelling sensitivity: 80

Minimum candidate score: 75

Minimum match score: 85

Took multiple attempts for the World Geocoding Service to

work properly: login and subscription issues

Original

Output

Case #2 Conclusions There are major differences when comparing the three

selected geocoders.

AGOL service costs 8 service credits (187 addresses.)

10 addresses were classified as the wrong street

direction.

Can be useful for studying outside your local jurisdiction.

Good idea to compare in house and other sources for

quality control purposes.

Be very cautious on the service credits!

40 credits per 1,000 addresses

Case #3: Density Analysis

The City of Wheaton currently has 17,765 active trees.

The most common tree species is maple (8,214).

Maple Tree Species Breakdown:

Amur: 33

Autumn Blaze: 346

Crimson King: 28

Mamo Freeman’s: 94

Norway: 3,335

Pacific Sunset: 9

Red: 861

Silver: 2,519

Sugar: 989

Other popular tree species: Oak, Flowering Crabapple, Callery

Pear, and Honeylocust.

Why is this Important? The Forestry Department is actively replacing ash trees.

Main objective is to have a diverse tree species throughout

the city.

Factors: Location/Environment, Cost, and Resident

Preference

Tree City USA

City of Wheaton has been receiving this award for 30

consecutive years.

Requirements: Tree Department, Tree Care Ordinance,

Invest at least $2 per capita, and Arbor Day Observance.

Modify any existing tree planting schedules, restructured

budgets for tree caring, and informing the residents the

benefits of a diverse tree species.

All Maple

Trees

8.3

Credits

All Maple

Trees

In ArcMap

Norway

Maple

3.4

Credits

Norway

Maple

In ArcMap

Silver

Maple

2.5

Credits

Silver

Maple

In ArcMap

Case #3 Conclusions

When using AGOL and ArcMap, both of the

results are very similar to each other.

It takes 1 service credit per 1,000 records.

You may have to adjust the symbology and

classification settings in ArcMap.

AGOL has a better quality output than in

ArcMap.

Recommendation: Use AGOL if you are not

willing to purchase the Spatial Analyst extension.

Future: Add additional data to see if similar

results will occur.

Overall Summary

There are major differences between AGOL and the

extensions in ArcMap.

Depending on the analysis that will be performed,

recommend using AGOL first then try using the

extensions in ArcMap.

If using AGOL, beware of the service credits.

Creating services, hosting data or using any of the

analysis tools will use credits.

The cost of an ArcMap extension is $2,500.

Continue to be updated on new product

developments and enhancements from ESRI.