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Work offline
Table of contents
Introduction
Work offline. Each day we realize that been able to work offline with our mobile, tablet or desktop devices is more important, that why we offer you the chance to build applications that could work with maps & GIS without internet connection.
There are many options to solve problems when you need apps to work offline, here you will find many of those.
Developer technologies
Native apps
If you are a mobile developer or a desktop developer you have all our native Runtimes and SDKs and some builders to build you own custom apps.
In case you are not a developer or you want to build an app quickly you also have AppStudio Standard and Survey123 that will help you build offline apps.
And in case you don't need to but to build a custom or branded app you may also consider to use Collector for ArcGIS.
Web apps
But if you are a web developer and you don't need a powerful GIS SDK to build app you can also build it using phonegap.
We also encourage you to take a look to the offline-editor-js project which is an ArcGIS JavaScript library for handling offline editing and tiling.
If you are looking for a responsive app to collect points oflline you could take a look to GeoForm, a web app which can make the job (but it offline functionality is limited).
If you don't know already, you should learn about progressive web apps in order to be learn how to build reliable, fast and engaging apps even when you have no Internet connection.
Google is doing a great job spreading the word about it benefits.
Check the videos at the Proggressive Web App Summit 2016
Prepare content to be consumed offline
When you are developing an offline app you can follow two main patterns:
- Services pattern: Best for supporting a large number of users, this pattern allows multiple offline users to edit the same data layers and sync edits later, when online.
- Desktop pattern: Best for supporting applications with read-only data that requires periodic updates.
Take maps offline with ArcGIS Online
Patterns
Services pattern
The services pattern is best for supporting a large number of users. This pattern allows multiple offline users to edit the same data layers and sync edits later, when online.
For operational data, you can use a sync-enabled feature service from ArcGIS for Server, ArcGIS Online, or Portal for ArcGIS to generate the geodatabase for offline use. Through the synchronization process, you can control whether a user can upload their changes, download others' changes, or both. This allows the application to have an up-to-date view of the data. When more than one user is editing the same feature and the edits conflict, the last edit synchronized to the service overrides the others.
In one workflow, sometimes referred to as a pre-planned workflow, you generate the geodatabase once and load it onto your users' devices. This workflow requires you to register a geodatabase.
For basemap data, ArcGIS tiled map services and ArcGIS Online basemaps allow for the on-demand creation of tile caches, letting you take your basemaps offline.
Create a basemap from a tiled service (download a basemap): An offline copy of tiled map services can be requested so that a basemap is available when the application is working in an offline environment. These copies can be downloaded in the form of a tile package (.tpk file) or compact cache by using the API.
Desktop pattern
This is the best for supporting applications with read-only data that requires periodic updates.
You can use ArcGIS for Desktop to include features, tabular data, tile caches, network datasets for directions and locators in your offline app.
Learn more: Create ArcGIS Runtime content using ArcGIS Desktop
To include operational data in your offline app generate a geodatabase (using ArcGIS for Desktop).
Create a basemap using ArcGIS for Desktop: When you create a basemap using ArcGIS for Desktop, you can set the format, tiling schemes, and levels of detail.
For details, see the online ArcGIS help topics: How to create a tile package and About tile packages.