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Allow 3rd Party Hosted Widgets

1064
3
02-28-2020 11:13 AM
Status: Open
JenniferKuntz2
by
Occasional Contributor

Would it be possible to allow 3rd parties to host widgets online in their own infrastructure and allow those widgets to be consumed in the online versions of Web AppBuilder and Experience Builder?  

Currently 3rd party widgets require the "Developer Editions" of Web AppBuilder and Experience Builder. The logic I have heard to explain this requirement is if Esri were to host 3rd party code it would pose security and testing challenges. Problems with the current approach are:

  • Additional time and effort required to install the dev editions
  • Additional time to get permission and/or IT assistance to put completed app on web server
  • Some users do not have a web server where they are allowed to host their apps at all
  • Some users work at organizations with strict "out-of-the-box" only requirements that would allow for building an app entirely on ArcGIS Online, but not allow for an app built outside the online environment.
  • The name "Developer Edition" worries users unnecessarily that they will need to have development skills to use it
Tags (1)
3 Comments
MatthewBradbury
by
‎02-28-2020 11:47 AM

This sort of widget integration on AGOL would make it a lot easier to manage our catalog of apps.

agrescavage
by
Tuesday

I'm a strong advocate of this idea.

Proposed solution:

  • Hosted widgets
  • Show a warning requiring confirmation when attempting to add the widget to your organization
    • Severe warning for widgets from organizations that are not Esri partners.
    • Moderate warning for widgets from Esri partners.
    • No warning for widgets hosted by same organization.

Justification: Empowering Customers and Expanding Esri’s Reach Through Third-Party Hosted Widgets

As the demand for GIS solutions continues to grow across industries, the ability to offer flexible, scalable tools becomes a critical driver of innovation and market expansion. By enabling third-party hosted widgets to be used directly in ArcGIS Online, Esri could significantly improve the customer experience, promote adoption in new markets, and strengthen its leadership in the GIS industry.

1. Removing Barriers to Entry for Non-Technical Users

One of the key strengths of ArcGIS Online is its accessibility to a wide range of users, from technical professionals to non-technical individuals. However, the current model, which requires the Developer Edition of Web AppBuilder and Experience Builder for third-party widgets, creates a significant barrier. Many users, particularly in non-technical roles, face challenges with installation, server setup, and IT approvals.

Allowing third-party hosted widgets to be integrated into ArcGIS Online would eliminate these obstacles, enabling a broader base of users—especially those in resource-constrained environments like small businesses, local governments, and NGOs—to leverage custom functionality without the need for dedicated infrastructure. This would expand Esri's market reach into areas that are currently underserved due to technical limitations.

2. Accelerating Innovation in the GIS Ecosystem

Supporting third-party hosted widgets would open the door for rapid innovation within the Esri ecosystem. External developers could easily distribute new tools and capabilities directly to ArcGIS Online users, reducing time-to-market for valuable features. This encourages the GIS developer community to invest more heavily in building creative, niche solutions that meet the specific needs of diverse industries.

As third-party developers thrive, so does the Esri ecosystem, creating a virtuous cycle where users benefit from a constant stream of innovative solutions. This would also position Esri as a more developer-friendly platform, drawing in a wider pool of talent that can further drive growth in the GIS market.

3. Capturing More Enterprise Opportunities

Many enterprise organizations want to stay within the confines of ArcGIS Online for security, compliance, and operational efficiency. Currently, these enterprises are limited to out-of-the-box solutions, restricting their ability to innovate with custom workflows. Allowing third-party hosted widgets would give enterprises the best of both worlds—secure, scalable GIS services from ArcGIS Online with the ability to seamlessly integrate custom tools from trusted third-party developers.

This would not only increase adoption of ArcGIS Online within enterprise environments but also encourage greater long-term investment in the Esri platform. As organizations expand their GIS capabilities with custom widgets, they become more deeply embedded in the Esri ecosystem, leading to increased loyalty and higher-value engagements.

4. Expanding the GIS Market to New Verticals

Allowing third-party hosted widgets would unlock opportunities in sectors that have traditionally had limited exposure to GIS technology. Industries such as healthcare, retail, real estate, and nonprofits are increasingly recognizing the power of geospatial analytics, but they often require highly specific tools that Esri alone cannot always provide.

By opening the platform to third-party hosted widgets, Esri could encourage the development of sector-specific solutions that cater to these emerging markets. This would not only increase the adoption of GIS but also expand the total addressable market for Esri solutions, helping GIS become an essential tool in a much wider array of industries.

5. Strengthening Esri’s Position as a Market Leader

Finally, supporting third-party hosted widgets would reinforce Esri’s position as a leading GIS platform that offers unparalleled flexibility, scalability, and extensibility. In a competitive landscape where organizations are looking for customizable, cloud-based solutions, Esri would stand out as a platform that balances robust out-of-the-box functionality with the freedom to tailor solutions to specific business needs.

By embracing this model, Esri would also be seen as a company that is proactively responding to customer demands and future-proofing its platform for the evolving digital landscape.

In summary, enabling third-party hosted widgets in ArcGIS Online will help empower customers, accelerate innovation, and capture new markets while reducing friction for non-technical users and enterprises alike. This strategy not only serves existing customers better but also opens the door for Esri to expand its market share across industries and remain at the forefront of the GIS revolution.

By opening the platform to third-party hosted widgets, Esri could encourage the development of sector-specific solutions that cater to these emerging markets. This would not only increase the adoption of GIS but also expand the total addressable market for Esri solutions, helping GIS become an essential tool in a much wider array of industries.