A quick tour of Web maps and GIS services
Like all Web services, GIS services are built to perform a focused set of GIS functions and utilize open Web protocols, such as XML, SOAP, and REST Web services, and HTML.
There are a number of types of GIS services:
- Map services—Can be added as layers in ArcMap, ArcScene, or ArcGlobe. This is the most common type of GIS service. Map service layers provide the following:
- Basemap layers onto which you can overlay and work with operational information.
- Mission-critical operational information for performing specific tasks. For example, you can use a Web map layer containing real-time sensor feeds, weather information, crime locations, traffic conditions, property values, water flows, emergency events, and so on.
- Layers that represent information derived from analytic model results.
- Access to the underlying features and raster information for use in queries, graphs, and reports.
- Image services—Used as map layers, to generate integrated image mosaics from multiple image sources, and to access the pixel values in imagery and raster datasets.
- Geoprocessing services—Used to run analytic models and automate tasks that can be run on a shared server.
- Geodatabase services—Used to support queries and editing against a centralized, multiuser geodatabase.
- Locator services—Used to geocode place-names, addresses, and other location information.
GIS Web map services have some important characteristics that influence how they are used. Perhaps the most interesting is that they are georeferenced, which means that you can readily combine GIS services from many servers across the Web.
ArcMap, ArcScene, and ArcGlobe support a range of map services.
Services from ArcGIS Server
ArcMap, ArcScene, and ArcGlobe support the GIS services in the table below. Geographic information types (such as map documents) that you create using ArcGIS can be published and used as GIS Web services.
|
Service type |
Required GIS resource |
|---|---|
|
Map service |
Map service definition (.msd) or map document (.mxd, .pmf) |
|
Geocode service |
Address locator (.loc, .mxs, ArcSDE batch locator) |
|
Geodata service |
Map service definition (.msd) or database connection file (.sde) or personal geodatabase or file geodatabase or map document referencing data from a versioned geodatabase |
|
Geometry service |
Does not require a GIS resource |
|
Geoprocessing service |
Map document with a tool layer or toolbox (.tbx) |
|
Globe service |
Globe document (.3dd, .pmf) |
|
Image service |
Raster dataset or layer file referencing a raster dataset or mosaic dataset or compiled image service definition (.ISCDef) |
|
Search service |
Folders and geodatabases of GIS content that you want to search |
ArcIMS services
ArcIMS was ESRI's first GIS server product and is deployed in many organizations. ArcIMS services can be used in ArcGIS. ArcIMS services include the following:
- ArcIMS image service—The most common Web service published with ArcIMS. The map is rendered on an ArcIMS server; a snapshot of the image is produced, along with its georeferenced map extent; and it is served to various clients that consume this image service as a map layer.
- ArcIMS feature service—Serves actual features for the data layer (for example, collections of points, lines, or polygons). The feature data is served from the ArcIMS service, and ArcMap rendering tools are used to render the map layer display on the desktop client.
- ArcMap Server image service—Serves an image or picture of an ArcMap map (.mxd). This allows ArcIMS users to serve cartographically enhanced maps using ArcIMS.
Open Geospatial Consortium services
Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC), provides a series of Web service standards used by the geospatial community for GIS services, including Web Map Service (WMS), Web Feature Service (WFS), and Web Coverage Service (WCS). You can read more about accessing and using OGC Web services at Adding WMS to ArcMap.
Web maps
ArcGIS Web maps are composed of a set of one or more Web map services. They are created and shared at ArcGIS.com. Web maps can be opened and used in any ArcGIS client—ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Explorer Online, iPhone, and Web browsers. If you have a Web connection, you can use ArcGIS Web maps. They enable you to use ArcGIS without any software.
 |
A layer of recent earthquakes is combined with the World Topographic basemap to create an ArcGIS Web map. |
ArcGIS online
ArcGIS online refers to the online capabilities of the complete ArcGIS system. It is the mechanism in which any ArcGIS client can connect to the web, search for, and access shared GIS content. ArcGIS users share rich ArcGIS map and layer packages, Web maps and apps, and ArcGIS services that you can access and use. ESRI also shares a number of GIS maps and content, including online maps, globes, and layers.
In addition, users can set up and join groups for sharing and collaboration across a community.
See Using ArcGIS online for more information.
KML services
Keyhole Markup Language (KML) is an XML-based language provided by Google for defining the graphic display of spatial data in applications such as Google Earth and Google Maps. ArcGIS users can publish their map and globe services as KML using ArcGIS Server.
In addition, applications such as ArcGIS Explorer and ArcGlobe can directly use KML and KML Web services.
See Using KML in ArcGIS.
Bing Maps and services
As an ArcGIS Desktop user, you can sign up to access and use Bing Maps street maps and imagery in ArcMap and ArcGlobe.
See Using Bing Maps.