Create a new feature service from multiple different feature service layer sources

Question

Hi all,

I'm working with a third party software to integrate our AGO data. They are requesting we find a way to point all required layers to one feature service URL, but the problem is that our data currently isn't set up that way and we don't want to make major organizational changes to how our feature services are currently published.

Currently, the layers they're interested in are published like this in order to keep similar data grouped together:

* Feature Service 1* Layer A
* Layer B
* Layer C

* Feature Service 2* Layer D

* Feature Service 3* Layer E
* Layer F
* Layer G
* Layer H

Etc...

Say they are only interested in pulling in Layer A, B, D, and G. They want A, B, D, and G grouped in one feature service with one URL for all 4 layers, but I cannot publish a totally new feature service with these because I want to maintain the data and organization of Feature Services 1, 2, and 3. Is there a way to accomplish this? I looked into saving group layers from the map viewer, but that does not give you a new URL for all combined layers.

EmilyGeo · Answer

I think there is a way to make the Group layer work if you don't mind taking some extra steps.

You can save the Group layer as an item like so:

While this doesn't generate a URL, you could copy the Item ID on the Item details page:

Then share the item ID which folks could use to search for the Group layer in the Browse layer dialogue. Depending on how you are sharing the layer, (Organization, Group, etc) they may have to change that in the drop down

RPGIS · Answer

Hi @marksm_macomb,

I am assuming that the feature services are the same geometry/feature type, in which case you can try the following.

* Creating a new blank feature* Publish a new feature service schema of the other feature services or at least one that can be appended to with a schema that will work for all fields.
* Append the data from all features to the new feature.
* Create an attribute rule/python script to automatically make updates to this feature service whenever the other feature services are updated (Optional)

* Schedule a geoprocessing tool* Run a geoprocessing tool that will combine all of the layers into a single service.
* Publish the results as a service
* Schedule a geoprocessing tool to truncate and append the records to the feature service.

* Filter and publish the feature service as its own service* Bring all of the layers into a single map, apply any filters deemed necessary
* Publish the layers as a service which will ultimately group them accordingly

There is some additional information that is missing but I am assuming that these services are hosted. If not, then the other options should work but these options should work for most, if not all, for what you are trying to achieve.