Latest Contributions by PhilHolleran

ArcGIS Online analysis tools currently create a hosted feature service of results by default, preserving the results of every analysis in the (cloud) database. Many analyses are run iteratively, testing parameters and values, until the desired result is achieved. To that end, it would be beneficial if analysis tool results were stored in another, more temporary, way (in browser as graphics or in a featureCollection) by default. If the analyst decides to preserve the results of an analysis an option should exist in the GUI to store the result as a feature service. This has multiple potential benefits: - A reduction in the number of iterative hosted feature services published to an org that must be cleaned up after the analysis; - A more easy post-analysis data cleanup workflow; - A more appropriate way to deploy some analysis tools through the Analysis Widget in Web App Builder. With analysis results temporary by default, web app builder configurations could be created to enable end-users to perform analysis in the app without requiring the publication of hosted feature services each time the widget is used. ... View more

ArcGIS Online analysis tools currently create a hosted feature service of results by default, preserving the results of every analysis in the (cloud) database. Many analyses are run iteratively, testing parameters and values, until the desired result is achieved. To that end, it would be beneficial if analysis tool results were stored in another, more temporary, way (in browser as graphics or in a featureCollection) by default. If the analyst decides to preserve the results of an analysis an option should exist in the GUI to store the result as a feature service. This has multiple potential benefits: - A reduction in the number of iterative hosted feature services published to an org that must be cleaned up after the analysis; - A more easy post-analysis data cleanup workflow; - A more appropriate way to deploy some analysis tools through the Analysis Widget in Web App Builder. With analysis results temporary by default, web app builder configurations could be created to enable end-users to perform analysis in the app without requiring the publication of hosted feature services each time the widget is used. ... View more

ArcGIS Online layers can be filtered using a number of operators, including IS, IS NOT, STARTS WITH, ENDS WITH, CONTAINS, DOES NOT CONTAIN. I propose this be expanded to include an 'IN' operator. Using an in operator for an experssion like the following: "FeatureID" IS IN ["feature1","feature3","feature6","feature7","feature12", etc.] would be much more simple than creating individual expressions for each "FeatureID" and then requiring the layer to match "All" of the following expressions. ... View more

ArcGIS Online currently offers the ability to publish hosted feature services from zipped shapefiles, service definitions, and even csvs.  However, options are a bit limited for developers wanting to create a hosted feature service  by other means, without access to traditional GIS data.  This is especially true for non-point features (lines, polys). It would be advantageous to offer the ability to generate hosted feature services directly through the API.  I see at least two options for this. One would be to create REST endpoint that could be called to create an empty hosted service (http://www.arcigs.com/sharing/rest/content/users/johnSmith/createService) by passing the necessary parameters in the POST:  {     serviceType: 'feature',     geometryType: 'point',     name: 'name',     alias: 'alias',     coordinateSystem: [<coordinateSytstem Object],     fields: [         ['name','alias', 'text', '50'],         ['name','alias', 'text', '50'],     ]     etc... } On success, the server would return the itemId of the service. The second would be similar to the first, but allow the passing of existing geoJSON in the POST to create hosted services containing data. These operations would help move ArcGIS Online further into the non-traditional GIS development community. ... View more

Currently, if one wants to use ArcGIS Server to deploy both a secured service for editing and a public service to view the same data, they need to publish two separate services.  One service, for editing, creates two endpoints: (MapServer and FeatureServer).  When this service is secured, it applies the security to both the MapServer and FeatureServer.  To create a public facing service, one needs to publish a second service with only the MapServer enabled.  As a result, they end up with an unneeded MapServer endpoint and must maintain two separate services. While there are times when the multiple service approach is appropriate, many times a separate service configuration for editing is unneessary. I propose allowing security to be enabled on only the FeatureServer endpoint, removing the requirement to maintain two separate services for this workflow. ... View more

  ArcGIS 10’s Data Driven Pages functionality greatly improved the creation of mapbooks by allowing a reference layer to determine the extent and scale of the map.  It would be nice to see this functionality expanded into charts and summary reports.   This could be done by allowing the active feature in the reference layer to serve as the basis of a “select by location” statement to create a dynamic “selection layer” in the map document.  This selection layer would then drive dynamic charts and summary reports which could be added to the page.  The end result would be a page with a map, a chart, and a summary report.     For instance, the reference layer could be pressure zones within a water distribution system.  The "selection layer" would be configured to select all water mains within the active pressure zone.  Each page would have:     - a reference map for the pressure zone,    - a pie chart summarizing the condition of the water mains in the zone (driven by the “selection layer”), and    - some summary statistics about the mains in the zone (also driven by the “selection layer”).   Combined with ArcPy scripting, this functionality could be used to regularly generate executive reports on assets maintained within the geodatabase - allowing for spatially-enabled reporting.     ... View more

I am attempting to create a feature class off of some Minnesota Department of Transportation XML feeds.  The first XML feed displays current incidents on roadways and provides all information about the incident as attributes in a single XML tag: [INDENT]<active_incidents time_stamp="Tue May 17 10:09:07 CDT 2011"> <incident id="2011051709091759" event_type="INCIDENT_ROADWORK" event_date="Tue May 17 09:15:29 CDT 2011" lane_type="Exit" road="T.H.100" dir="NB" location="@ 57th Ave" easting="475468" northing="4989338" camera="C226" impact="..!" cleared="false"/> <incident id="2011051709061520" event_type="INCIDENT_ROADWORK" event_date="Tue May 17 09:12:27 CDT 2011" lane_type="Exit" road="T.H.100" dir="NB" location="@ Glenwood Ave" easting="472923" northing="4980428" camera="C217" impact="!!!" cleared="false"/> </active_incidents> [/INDENT] I am having some trouble deciding what the most efficient workflow would be to parse this XML feed into a feature class off of which a service could be generated.  The XML file (http://www.dot.state.mn.us/tmc/trafficinfo/incidents.xml) is updated every 30 seconds, and I would like the service to be as closely in synch with the xml file as possible. I would appreciate any input on the most efficient way to continuously update (delete old records, insert new) a feature class and the best method for parsing this XML file. ... View more

I am attempting to use two date variables as sql query parameters in the select features tool.  My data is stored in an Access personal geodatabase and dates are in #mm-dd-yy hh:mm:ss# format. I have defined two date variables in model builder, FromDate and ToDate, and have defined them as model parameters.  I am looking to select from features WHERE: %FromDate% <= [DateField]<= %ToDate%. The only problem is that no matter what syntax I try I end up with either a data type mismatch error and/or no records returned. I have tried: - "%FromDate% <= [DateField] <= %ToDate%" - "#%FromDate%# <= [DateField] <= #%ToDate%#" - "#&'%FromDate%'&# <= [DateField] <= #&'%ToDate%'&#" and other combinations to no avail. I can successfully select records when actual '#dd:mm:yy#' are passed, just not variable values. Can anyone provide some insight on how to pass Access-friendly inline date variables through a sql query? Thanks - Phil H ... View more