GIS Transition from Server to AGOL

[DanaBissey]

At Indiana University, we have an organizational facilities account for ArcGIS online.  We do not have ArcGIS for Server or ArcGIS for Portal. I am sending out this email to hopefully get some answers on some questions that have come up about the capabilities of only having an ArcGIS online account. 

In the past, our interactive campus maps were housed on a server and developed by both the IT department and Creative Services.  In this development, our popup info windows drew data from our CAFM (Computer-Aided Facility Management) system that shows building information and department listing for that particular building.  Also, we had a unique banner around the maps that included specific Indiana University branding.   Now that we are trying to migrate over to the ArcGIS online facilities account from the server, I was wondering if there is a way to configure the info windows to pull in this same data from the CAFM. Also, if there is, I would love to have detailed instructions on how to do this, what I might need as far as software for programming, etc.  Rather than just an overview of what other universities/companies are doing, I need step – by – step, detailed instructions and how-tos if this is even possible.

I have read about the ArcGIS for JavaScript API, but I honestly don’t really know how to begin, what I need, and if this is even compatible with only an online account. Again, help on this would be much appreciated, and any information on how other universities may have implemented this would be great. 

There is another question that I would like to throw out there at well.  I have created some maps for other groups around campus, one being our University Architects Office.  In order for any of them to see the map, I had to make it public.  There is some information in there that is not necessarily sensitive, but it would be great if only relevant people would be able to see it.  Right now, anyone who has the URL will be able to see this map.  I was just wondering if there is a way to password protect a public map.  By this I mean adding a password to a map that anyone could see even if they don’t have an ESRI online account.  I don’t think making everyone that needs to see this have an ESRI account would be beneficial or useful.  Again, if this is possible, I would love to have details and instructions on how to get this done.

I wanted to reach out to you in hopes that you had some insight or answers, and if not maybe you could point me in the right direction.

The following is the url for one of our campus maps.  If you click on a building, you will see an example of the info window that I would love to replicate.  Also, the border and legend are all customized.

http://map.iu.edu/iupui/index.php

Cheers,

[MicahWilliamson]

Your site as it is now does look to be built on the Esri JavaScript API consuming services on your existing ArcGIS Server. IU Rest Endpoint   It's very nice an seems to function well. You seem to be sold on the thought of not using this existing ArcGIS Server? Just wondering if this is completely a financial decision or if there is any room for discussion on that? I say that because ArcGIS Online is not a 1-to-1 replacement of Server (at least not yet). There are symbology, labeling, layer grouping that are not yet available on AGO. Hosting apps (not just data) on AGO is also quick and easy but you lose a LOT of functionality.

Brainstorming here:

• You could publish the layers you want onto AGO and grab the rest endpoint and plug them into the existing code of the current application. Annotation would have to be tiled and Cached.
• You could sacrifice functionality and re-create a webmap application to use AGO completely (no custom code, only configuration) I'd say 75% of the current site's functionality, assuming you have the data to upload.
• If you want to get away from your aforementioned IT department, you can (hopefully) take the code, use Amazon Web Services for hosting and go to the cloud completely. Myriad of options.

I'm sorry I'm not giving you the step-by-step that you're asking for, but replicating an existing app is more than just 1 - 2 - 3.

On the bright side, your security question is a bit more straightforward.  I would embed the application or web map into an HTML page and add a bit of code for a very low risk password requirement Like:  How to create a password on a web page. On AGO, There are some new(ish) security enhancements that are for secure layers, but that is only for layers already protected through ArcGIS Server.

I hope that helps at least a bit. And I hope others respond, there's lots of great resources on these forums and you're reaching out in the right way. best of luck.

[RebeccaStrauch__GISP]

If you are thinking about the JavaScript API, but want an easier transition with ArcGIS Online, you may want to look at the Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS​  ...either the online version or the developer edition, which has many additional community provided custom widgets Web AppBuilder Custom Widgets​

You can learn more about "WAB" Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS (Developer Edition) | ArcGIS for Developers

For a list of links re: custom widgets, installing, etc., you can look at my Web AppBuilder Developer Edition - Customization Resource List​  (messy, but lots of links, and I try to keep it up to date).

just some suggestions.