Request for Guidance on Streets Data Customization in BA – Referencing "Completed the 2024 BA Data Download"

Question

Hello Esri Community,

I’m reaching out regarding the recent deprecation of the Streets Data Compatibility Pack, and this is in reference to the blog post "Completed the 2024 BA data download. I do not see the 'Business Analyst - Basemap.lyr'". It appears that my earlier post was removed, and I apologize if this resulted in a duplicate topic. I want to ensure I’m following the correct process while trying to find an answer to the issue outlined below.

I’d like to clarify the core issue we’re facing regarding the recent transition from the Streets Data Compatibility Pack to the use of VTPKs (Vector Tile Packages). While we understand that tools like the ArcGIS Vector Tile Style Editor (VTSE) offer customization options, they still do not meet our specific needs. I’d like to outline the critical limitations we’ve encountered:

* Zoom-Level Dependencies: One of the most pressing issues is the inability to display detailed roads, cities, and towns at certain zoom levels, as we were able to with the previous Streets Premium dataset. While VTSE allows for some layer customizations, it does not offer the same granular control over visibility at different scales. In our workflows, there are times when we need to toggle detailed roads on and off at will, but this functionality is constrained by zoom dependencies in VTPKs.

* Professional Map Presentation: The core of this challenge is that our clients and stakeholders have come to expect professional maps that can show or hide certain details as necessary, with clean and refined visuals. As seen in the attached images (such as Basemap Sample Detailed Roads Local and Basemap Sample Detailed Roads Census), the vector tiles lack the ability to fully recreate the professional appearance we were achieving with Street Map Premium, particularly when displaying road networks.

* Layer Control Limitations: The flexibility of turning specific data on and off based on presentation needs, which we had with Street Map Premium, is no longer fully replicable in the current system. Even breaking the basemap into multiple layers does not solve the issue when zoom-level restrictions prevent the display of important map details.

Our Ask: Moving forward, we need consistent, replicable solutions to achieve the same level of professional control that we had with the previous setup. This is critical not only for day-to-day mapping operations but also for delivering results that meet stakeholder expectations.

Can Esri provide a clear path or alternative that resolves these visibility and customization issues? Additionally, is there a way to maintain control over zoom dependencies within vector tiles or alternative methods that would provide the same functionality as the now-deprecated Streets Data Compatibility Pack?

We are eager to hear more on how we can implement a solution that will not disrupt our existing workflows and continue delivering high-quality results.

GISDesignConcepts_Admin · Answer

@HelenThompson

Thank you for your response and for clarifying the capabilities of ArcGIS Pro and VTSE. I appreciate that Esri offers high-quality cartographic solutions, and I fully acknowledge the power of these tools.

To provide more context, I already have Esri Street Map Premium as part of my Business Analyst Desktop offering, along with all the BA demographics, both housed on-premise. However, the latest release of Street Map Premium no longer includes the detailed layers that were previously available. Instead, it now provides a vector tile basemap for use with ArcGIS Pro. Simply put, the layers are no longer included in the downloaded package, making it impossible to link them to our existing maps. This was previously facilitated by what I believe was referred to as the "Compatibility Pack."

While I agree that VTSE and Esri basemaps offer flexible cartographic options, my client’s needs require more control over the individual features that were available with the previous vector feature maps. Specifically, users are asking for the ability to manipulate and access detailed data in ways that are not entirely possible with vector tiles due to zoom-level restrictions. For what users are paying, especially for access to premium datasets like Street Map Premium, it feels limiting to only be offered a vector tile map without access to the full dataset.

Could you confirm whether it's still possible to access the Street Map Premium vector feature maps, as they were provided in previous versions? If not, are there any ongoing plans to make this full dataset available alongside the vector tile maps for users who rely on these detailed layers for stakeholder presentations?

I appreciate your insights and any additional information you can provide to help resolve this issue.

Best, John

HelenThompson · Answer

Hi GISDesignConcepts

Business Analyst was not designed to be a cartographic engine and there are solutions for high quality map production in ArcGIS Pro, including licensing appropriate data. ArcGIS Pro is used extensively by cartographic organizations from USGS to Swiss Topo to produce the maps that they need. BA was not intended to be a short cut to other capabilities and data offerings.

The online VTSE offers multiple options for controlling what is seen at different zoom levels, from turning layers off to changing styles. It would be worth experimenting more with it. Another simple option is to have multiple basemaps - they are based on style references so can be easily duplicated - and switch between basemaps. This is the same logic as turning layers on and off.

With respect to map representation - I think you would agree that the Esri basemaps are very high cartographic quality and were built with the same VTSE interface. Have you fully explored those basemaps? If you want on premise control them Street Map Premium is available.

We recommend you look at Street Map Premium on premise for your needs if you are unable to achieve the results through VTSE.