Dazed and Confused

Question

I am confused over the various options for a WPF (c#) developer.

I am in a corporate environment that has an extensive ESRI server installation.  It is used via internal web applications extensively.  I am in the process specifying a WPF application for a custom thick client desktop application for internal use.  I am really confused as to the SDK's that are available both as a free download or at a cost.  And then, what are the advantages and deployment options with each.  Are there per seat licenses, etc.?

As part of our desktop application, we want to display and interact with existing layers from our servers. We have many dynamic layers and many tile layers available for our use.  We will not be storing anything locally.  It will always be connected in our network.

I see the sdk for .net coming soon, but don't understand its licensing model.

Is there a link or set of documents that explain the various development and deployment options we have?

Thanks for any info or links that anyone can provide.

Paul

MichaelBranscomb · Answer

I am assuming that you will announce in this forum the Beta of the ArcGIS SDk for .net?  Will it be a limited BETA or open to all?

Yes, we'll be sure to announce the beta of the new .NET SDK in this forum and the beta will be open to everyone.

Cheers

PaulMontgomery · Answer

Thank you for the response.

The link you provided will help a lot.  I was not able to find it before.

I am assuming that you will announce in this forum the Beta of the ArcGIS SDk for .net?  Will it be a limited BETA or open to all?

Thanks again
Paul Montgomery

MichaelBranscomb · Answer

Hi,

Sorry to hear the SDK and licensing options are not sufficiently clear - I will pass your feedback on to the doc team.

I believe it is good news - you can download the SDK for free and based on your requirements, deploy for free too. To clarify:* To build a thick client app you should use one of our ArcGIS Runtime SDKs (WPF/.NET, Java, iOS, Android, etc)
* If you are working with .NET AND need to deploy your app before summer 2014 you should use the current ArcGIS Runtime SDK for WPF.
* If your deployment timescale is summer 2014 or later you should start working with the new ArcGIS Runtime SDK for .NET.
* A beta of the new .NET SDK will be available in early-March.
* The API for building WPF apps is very similar between the two SDKs, therefore you could start your development now with the WPF SDK and deploy then migrate when the .NET SDK is available (we'll be publishing migration advice over the next few months).
* The ArcGIS Runtime SDKs are free for development (just sign up for a free ArcGIS Developer Subscription).
* Deployed apps which only consume services from ArcGIS Server or ArcGIS Online are free to deploy.
* It is also free for read-only access to some local content if you do need to cache anything (Tile Packages in WPF)
* You only need to pay for a deployment license when you start performing more advanced activities with local data (editing, routing, geocoding, analysis).

For more information please see: http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/runtime-wpf/concepts/index.html#/License_level_capabilities/017000000067000000/.

Cheers

Mike