ArcGIS Mobile map layers

The ArcGIS Mobile System can display many types of geographic data layers and has been designed to operate on a range of devices. The system is designed to sort layers into operational and background or basemap layers.

Base map layers

Base map layers provide reference information used for visualization and/or map navigation purposes (aerial imagery, streets, land parcel boundaries, etc.). Base map layers are often maintained by other departments within the enterprise or are acquired or purchased from an external source. Base map layers cannot be edited so there is no need to synchronize this data. As these data layers are not updated frequently, it is recommended that they be deployed to the mobile device independent of a mobile project.

Base map layers can come from one of 4 sources:

• Local StreetMap
• Local Tile Map Cache
• Connected ArcGIS Server Map Service
• Connected ArcGIS Online Map Service

StreetMap is a dataset that can be used with ArcGIS Mobile and is available for your field projects. StreetMap will need to be copied to your mobile device but, as a local basemap data source, can operate from separate media called StreetMap for Mobile. The media contains data content and an application for extracting the extent of data that fits your location. Using the extractor and StreetMap dataset, you can create a basemap that includes street centerlines and additional points of interest for your field projects. StreetMap will need to be copied to your mobile device but, as a local basemap data source, can operate whether you are connected or disconnected from the network while in the field.

In addition to a local StreetMap, you can take advantage of the maps that you have published using ArcGIS Server. A local tile map cache is a cached map service that you have created for web applications. With ArcGIS Mobile, you can copy the cache folder itself to your mobile device and view it as a base map layer in your mobile project. The advantage of this approach is that you can construct high quality cartographic maps or you can purchase tile map caches from data providers (including ESRI) and leverage them directly on your mobile device. ArcGIS Desktop includes tools that you can use to clip the extent and levels that you are most interested in for your applications.

You can also connect to your hosted map services and display them on your mobile device when connected in the field. The advantage of using connected map services is that when the data source is updated, you will be able to receive those updates. With the ability to connect to your own hosted services, you can publish map services in the projection that makes sense for your use and include the content that is useful for your applications.

If you do not have your own base map datasets, or are interested in using the connected services from ArcGIS Online, you can connect and use those as well. You will be limited to the services that ESRI provides and the tile levels are based upon the availability and resolution of the datasets hosted.

Operational layers

Operational map layers contain the transactional content of your mobile map. They are the layers in your field map that you need to receive frequent updates for, need to query, and that you may need to edit or collect features for in the field.

With ArcGIS Mobile, operational map layer content is stored inside of a mobile cache and originates from a map document that you author for the purpose of providing operational content to a mobile device.

Using the Mobile Project Center, you can configure the properties of your operational map layers.