UCSF participates in the UC-wide Esri educational site license agreement. Through this license agreement a selection of Esri software products are available to UCSF students and employees with a valid and active employee ID. Esri products are intended for teaching, research, and restricted administrative use.
Esri provides guidance on how their software and data can be used at a higher education institution. GIS software is appropriate for teaching, research, community service, and adminstrative use. Because it is sometimes unclear whether a particular use is permitted under the education licensing or may require a commercial license, Esri has developed a rubric for determining permitted use.
The information below reflects the unique UCSF Esri Education License agreement. Available products are negotiated each year and are subject to change.
Products: ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap) | ArcGIS Pro | ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Pro is the premier desktop product from Esri that integrates seamlessly with ArcGIS Online. Manage spatial and tabular data, perform analysis, publish print maps or publish maps and feature services to ArcGIS Online (see below).
ArcGIS Online is Esri's SaaS or web services product. View spatial data, access the Living Atlas, create web maps, create applications, and peform analysis.
Core & Premium Applications
Licensing, Default User Setting, and OS:
NOTE: Esri announced the end-of-life for ArcGIS Desktop/ArcMap and no further releases will be provided. This product is no longer available by request at UCSF.
Esri announced the end-of-life for ArcGIS Desktop/ArcMap and no further releases will be provided. This product is no longer available by request at UCSF.
For those who need to transition to ArcGIS Pro, below is a brief description of the differences you may encounter when learning and using ArcGIS Pro.
What is the difference?
ArcGIS Pro v1 was released in 2015 as the eventual successor to ArcGIS Desktop. ArcGIS Pro's project workflow, user-interface, and licensing approach are significantly different than that of ArcMap. Although the current version of ArcGIS Pro is nearly ArcMap equivalent in terms of functionality, it's not a perfect replacement. The following assumes a user is familiar with ArcMap:
Project Worflow: Pro uses "projects" or .aprx files to store all files associated with the project (map views, tools, scripts, layouts, data, etc). ArcMap .mxd files can be imported into a Pro .aprx project, although some limitations still exist. Also consider that while ArcMap Python scripts and models can be imported, that Pro uses Python 3.x and that Pro does not contain all the same tools as ArcMap -- a user should evaluate their scripts and models before considering ArcGIS Pro.
User Interface: Pro uses a "ribbon" interface similar to Microsoft Office products as well as panes to access geoprocessing tools and other tool windows. In addition, selecting a layer will drive ribbon actions such as labelling, symbols, editing, etc. Pro natively displays 3D and multiple layouts.
Licensing: Pro uses a named-user account to launch the product. The named-user account along with privileges, entitlements, extensions, and add-ons are driven by an ArcGIS Online for Organizations subscription.
Which product should I choose?
For existing ArcMap users there is no immediate or necessary reason to start using Pro unless an identified feature in Pro requires it. The logic to performing tasks in Pro (along with the new interface) has been altered just enough (or significantly in some instances) that a user should invest in training prior to using Pro for a project.
Overall, Pro presents a steeper learning curve compared to ArcMap and its tighter integration with ArcGIS Online adds another level of complexity and knowledge-base when working with both. Use this link for a quick-start tutorial on ArcGIS Pro basics.
The information below reflects the unique UCSF Esri Education License agreement. Available products are negotiated each year and are subject to change.
Insights for ArcGIS is an ArcGIS Online premium application to explore data and perform advanced analytics such as spatial, statistical, predictive, and link analysis. Insights fuses location analytics with open data science and business intelligence workflows.
Business Analyst Web & Community Analyst Web is an ArcGIS Online premium application that provides location-based intelligence for planning, site selection, and customer segmentation. Combine demographic, lifestyle, and spending data with map-based analytics for accurate reports and dynamic presentations.
ArcGIS Maps for Office is an ArcGIS Online core application that adds interactive maps in your Excel spreadsheets and Powerpoint presentations. Easily map column data by geographic unit or geocode address records. Provides a dynamic map in the spreadsheet or slide.
ArcGIS Maps for Power BI is an ArcGIS Online core application to combine powerful analytics with spatial analysis and mapping. Leverage curated, ready-to-use data from ArcGIS Online to give perspective to maps.
Living Atlas is an ArcGIS Online core application and is the foremost collection of global geographic information. Curated by Esri with contributions from its partner and user communities, the Living Atlas contains valuable maps, data layers, tools, services, and apps for geographic analysis.
Esri Demographics is an ArcGIS Online premium content item and is a global collection of demographic, psychographic, and socioeconomic data, with over 15,000 data variables from 130+ countries. Available in Business/Community Analyst and Maps for Office. Local install is available.
Tapastry Segmentation is an ArcGIS Online premium application to understand customers' lifestyle choices, what they buy, and how they spend their free time. Tapestry gives you insights to help you identify your best customers, optimal sites, and underserved markets.
Survey123 is an ArcGIS Online premium application to explore data and perform advanced analytics such as spatial, statistical, predictive, and link analysis. Insights fuses location analytics with open data science and business intelligence workflows.
Collector for ArcGIS is an ArcGIS Online premium application that provides location-based intelligence for planning, site selection, and customer segmentation. Combine demographic, lifestyle, and spending data with map-based analytics for accurate reports and dynamic presentations.
Quick Capture is an ArcGIS Online premium application to explore data and perform advanced analytics such as spatial, statistical, predictive, and link analysis. Insights fuses location analytics with open data science and business intelligence workflows.
Tracker for ArcGIS is an ArcGIS Online premium application to explore data and perform advanced analytics such as spatial, statistical, predictive, and link analysis. Insights fuses location analytics with open data science and business intelligence workflows.
Workforce for ArcGIS is an ArcGIS Online premium application that provides location-based intelligence for planning, site selection, and customer segmentation. Combine demographic, lifestyle, and spending data with map-based analytics for accurate reports and dynamic presentations.
*Drone2Map is a premium application to explore data and perform advanced analytics such as spatial, statistical, predictive, and link analysis. Insights fuses location analytics with open data science and business intelligence workflows.
* Educational discount available.
Story Maps is an ArcGIS Online premium application to explore data and perform advanced analytics such as spatial, statistical, predictive, and link analysis. Insights fuses location analytics with open data science and business intelligence workflows.
Operations Dashboard is an ArcGIS Online premium application that provides location-based intelligence for planning, site selection, and customer segmentation. Combine demographic, lifestyle, and spending data with map-based analytics for accurate reports and dynamic presentations.
Web AppBuilder is an ArcGIS Online premium application to explore data and perform advanced analytics such as spatial, statistical, predictive, and link analysis. Insights fuses location analytics with open data science and business intelligence workflows.
ArcGIS Hub is an ArcGIS Online core application and is an easy-to-configure community engagement platform that organizes people, data, and tools through information-driven initiatives. Initiatives can drive engagement by giving community members a goal to rally around as well as a focused way to participate.
GeoPlanner is an ArcGIS Online premium content item and is a tool to rapidly design city-, regional-, and landscape-scale scenarios in a collaborative, iterative environment. Run spatial analysis on the fly, compare scenarios, and share data-informed plans using real-time dashboards.
City Engine is a desktop application to for advanced 3D modeling for creating huge, interactive and immersive urban environments in less time than traditional modeling techniques. Make 3D models to show planned changes and alternate designs. Inform your designs with 3D representations of regulatory and land use conditions. Share multiple design alternatives with your team or stakeholders to gather feedback.
ArcGIS API for JavaScript is a lightweight way to embed maps and tasks in web applications. You can get these maps from ArcGIS Online, your own ArcGIS Server or others' servers. It enables developers to build compelling web apps with interactive user experiences and data-driven 2D and 3D visualizations.
ArcGIS API for Python is a powerful Python library for spatial analysis, mapping, and GIS. It enables power users, system administrators and developers to leverage the rich SciPy ecosystem for automating their workflows and performing repetitive tasks using scripts. Integrates well with the Jupyter Notebook.
ArcGIS REST API is used to directly access ArcGIS services including geocoding, routing & directions, and spatial analysis. Integrating these ready-to-use services into your ArcGIS Pro projects and web applications or to push data to other systems.
Esri Training
Esri offers free self-paced lessons through Learn ArcGIS and subscription-based self-paced and instructor-led training through the Esri Academy. Esri's GeoNet forum is also a site to learn about your questions or post questions yourself.
Occasionally, onsite workshops at UCSF campuses will be available through the UCSF Library's Data Science Initiative (DSI). Additional information about Esri training resources and more can be found on the Training webpage.
Department/Program Demonstrations
Geospatial @ UCSF can offer high-level overview of geospatial technologies, GIS concepts, and Esri products. Please make a request using the Geospatial Support Request form.
Support for troubleshooting Esri software, ArcGIS project assistance, or consultation are available but limited. Please submit a request using the Geospatial Support Request form.
Esri Software Troubleshooting
Users should exhuast all other resources (product support documents, online forums, general web searches, etc.) to resolve their issue or question before submitting a request. Please note that response to requests may take 3-5 business days.
Contacting Esri directly will unlikely result accessing thier support analysts. UCSF site license only permits Site License Administrator(s) to submit tickets on behalf of students, faculty, and researchers.
Business Analyst vs. Community Analyst
Community Analyst and Business Analyst Online are very similar in terms of features and data. The data and features in the two products are organized a bit differently to better serve the different audiences and intended analysis goals of the products. Business Analyst Online is intended for commercial audiences focused primarily on site selection, whereas Community Analyst is focused on policy issues and enabling understanding of communities from a "social issues" perspective.
Collector vs Survey123 vs GeoForm
Survey123 is form-centric with the ability to add a "geopoint" question and designed to feel more like a SurveyMonkey to the end-user. It allows for "nested" options so one question can prompts additional questions or changes the form. Survey123 is intended to collect NEW data although editing exisitng data is possible.
Collector for ArcGIS is map-centric and designed for the collection and editing of layers/data when in the field. The form creator for Collector is not as flexible as Survey123, think of it as Survey123 light.
Geoform is a configurable app template (ArcGIS Online only) for form based data editing of a Feature Service. This application allows users to enter data through a form instead of a map's pop-up while leveraging the an AGOL Web Map and editable Feature Services.
Esri Account vs ArcGIS Online (AGOL) Accounts
Most users will be familiar with the ArcGIS Online (AGOL) account used at https://www.arcgis.com to access their AGOL organization. Esri has a few other accounts to be aware of.
Esri Account: Accessed at MyEsri.com. This is your customer account for Esri. If you have purchased a product or item from Esri then you will likely have had to create an Esri Account to access downloads, request support, or manage conference registration. In addition, this account is used for Esri's Academy (training courses) and Esri's GeoNet forum.
You do not need an Esri Account to access ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS Online.
ArcGIS Online Organization named-user Account (Subscription): Accessed at your subscription url (example: https://.maps.arcgis.com). This is your identity in the AGOL Organization you either purchased, signed up for the 21-day Trial, or were invited to by an AGOL administrator. This account stays with the organization unless the organization deletes the account, it then becomes an ArcGIS Online Public Account.
This account type can also manage a user's Esri Academy (Training) history and GeoNet access (if enabled by a user's institution). Therefore, if a user wishes to maintain control over their training history and GeoNet posts, then they should create an Esri Account using a personal email address. Training history can be migrated to their personal Esri Account by contacting Esri Support.
ArcGIS Online Public Account (Free): This is a free account to access a limited version of ArcGIS Online. This account type can be invited into an ArcGIS Online Organization but be aware that any data/items associated with the account then become the property of the Organziation and is subject to thier policies.
What will happen to my UCSF ArcGIS Online Organization account if I leave UCSF?
Your account is NOT deleted and is retained in case you return. If you wish to have others take ownership of your data you must coordinate with those users to transfer ownership. This must be done prior to your UCSF account being deactivated.
Can I move or copy my content from the UCSF ArcGIS Online Organization account to another Organizaton account or to a AGOL Public Account? What about from a Trial Subscription to the UCSF ArcGIS Online Organization?
Not really. You can "download" your datasets and upload them into the other org but the Web Maps or Apps you create can not be transfered. Esri has not created a tool to easly migrate account data between Organizations.
Public Accounts only provide a limited version of AGOL and only accept data, the Web Maps and Apps you create cannot be transferred. In addition, any premium data or layers added to maps will no longer work outside of an Organization account.
No support will be provided to users who begin projects in a trial version of ArcGIS Online. Please request an AGOL account through the Geospatial Support form.
How do I contact Esri Support?
Please perform due diligence to investigate the issue. Users should exhuast all resources (product support documents, online forums, general web searches, etc.) before submitting a request to Geospatial @ UCSF. Please note that response to requests may take 3-5 business days.
If Geospatial @ UCSF cannot assist then we will submit a ticket on your behalf to work directly with Esri Technical Support.