ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Enterprise is a self-hosted enterprise GIS software system that powers mapping and visualization, analytics, and data management. It provides comprehensive and centralized data management capabilities, helping organizations connect data to the right users. ArcGIS Enterprise is the backbone for running a comprehensive suite of ArcGIS applications and custom applications. ArcGIS Enterprise is integrated with ArcGIS Pro for mapping and authoring and connects with ArcGIS Online to share content between systems. Collaboration and flexibility are central to ArcGIS Enterprise, allowing you to organize and share your work on any device, anywhere, at any time.

ArcGIS Enterprise can be run on Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Kubernetes. It supports small single-machine deployments as well as large multi-machine deployments in the following:

• Public cloud infrastructure
• Private cloud infrastructure
• On-premises infrastructure using physical or virtualized hardware

This flexibility unlocks advanced capabilities such as tracking real-time data, performing big data analysis, conducting raster analytics, hosting image services, and executing data science workflows. ArcGIS Enterprise can be connected or disconnected from the open internet and can be configured to prevent data loss and downtime in the event of disaster. Visit the introduction to ArcGIS Enterprise documentation to learn more.

ArcGIS Enterprise is used across many industries to support real‑world workflows such as asset tracking, facility and field service management, logistics and fulfillment, performance monitoring, real‑time location tracking, situational awareness, market and customer analysis, risk management, site and territory planning, and supply chain digitization. With ArcGIS Enterprise, you can:

• Access a comprehensive system for enterprise mapping and visualization, analytics, and data management
• Transform complex spatial analysis into easy-to-understand maps, apps, and content to inform decision-making
• Expand your GIS over time by adding users, capacity, and functionality through apps and extensions—without investing in additional point solutions
• Select a cloud-native, cloud-optimized, or on-premises deployment of this self-hosted GIS software
• Integrate business systems for a holistic view of your operations
• Automate common workflows and activities
• Be prepared for anything with robust backup and disaster recovery capabilities
• Manage user access with a variety of authentication offerings

You do not have to choose between ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online. They are designed to work together and can serve different purposes in an organization. For example, an organization might use ArcGIS Enterprise to implement an internal enterprise GIS system behind a firewall, then share some data with the public via ArcGIS Online. 

ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online are both comprehensive products for organization-wide mapping, analysis, data management, sharing, and collaboration. Both support these workflows in secure, scalable, and flexible ways. The key difference between the two is the deployment method: ArcGIS Online is Esri’s cloud-based GIS platform delivered as SaaS and maintained by Esri, and ArcGIS Enterprise is self-hosted GIS software that offers full control over deployment.

To learn more about the similarities and differences, explore this ArcGIS Blog article and the documentation topic. 

Designing and implementing enterprise technology systems is a collaborative effort that starts with a shared understanding of organizational IT infrastructure. The ArcGIS Architecture Center offers examples, best practices, and diagramming toolkits that empower IT professionals, architects, support teams, and GIS professionals to collectively design and deploy enterprise GIS software tailored to their organization’s needs. Get an introduction to the Architecture Center here.

Esri also maintains many resources to help you decide the best way to operate, customize, and scale your ArcGIS Enterprise deployment as organizational needs change. Support ranges from self-service documentation and training to instructor-led courses and expert consulting from Esri’s Professional Services team. 

ArcGIS Enterprise is cloud-native when deployed with Kubernetes. Cloud-native GIS unlocks many benefits, including improved scalability, resilience, and cost savings. For example, an organization which experiences peak demand for GIS services seasonally or unexpectedly can use a cloud-native geospatial system to scale capacity as needed, rather than constantly sustaining high capacity at a high cost. Other transformational benefits of ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes include minimizing downtime, simplifying software management, and handling unpredictable demand without adding physical machines to your system. ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes offers a way to deploy cutting-edge GIS that complies with cloud-first mandates.