Publishing a Service Definition File directly from ArcGIS online into Webmap

[wilbev]

Much like users are adding data to a to webmap from a shp or csv file, it would be even better if we could do this from a Service Definition (.sd) file in the ArcGIS subscription offering. Thus, the data would retain all of the original published mxd properties, such as symbology and how the feature class was when it was first published to ArcGIS online. Any chance there are plans to allow this?

[astauffer]

Hi Eric,

When you publish from ArcGIS Desktop, a Service Definition will be uploaded to ArcGIS Online and published as a Feature or Tiled Service.

Hope that helps,
Andrew

[wilbev]

Andrew,

Thanks for the reply. I definitely realize a Service Definition file is uploaded to ArcGIS when publishing a hosted service. However, what can one do with it after that? You can download the Service Definition but nothing else unless you have ArcGIS Server, right? So what I'm getting at here is much like how we can currently instantly create a hosted feature service under My Content on ArcGIS online with a Shp or CSV file, it would be even better if we could do this with a Service Definition File. I believe ArcGIS Server has this same capability to publish a service definition using ArcGIS Server Manager. Just seems sort of strange the service definition gets uploaded but there is nothing we can really do with unless we have ArcGIS server which I would think most using the ArcGIS subscription would not.

Hi Eric,

When you publish from ArcGIS Desktop, a Service Definition will be uploaded to ArcGIS Online and published as a Feature or Tiled Service.

Hope that helps,
Andrew

[astauffer]

You are correct that right now Service Definitions are more important to Server, and the one uploaded to your account was used to create the service you published. You have a good idea for an enhancement request, and I would strongly encourage you to post this to the ArcGIS Idea's Site for ArcGIS Online.

Cheers,
Andrew

[wilbev]

It actually already on the Ideas site. Listed here:http://ideas.arcgis.com/ideaView?id=08730000000bzsCAAQ

Hopefully others will add their vote to this.

[mikem]

However, what can one do with it after that? You can download the Service Definition but nothing else unless you have ArcGIS Server, right? So what I'm getting at here is much like how we can currently instantly create a hosted feature service under My Content on ArcGIS online with a Shp or CSV file, it would be even better if we could do this with a Service Definition File.

This is how it works with a subscription...

When you upload a SD file from desktop with a subscription, you can create a hosted map service and feature service. Once created, these services can be used in web maps or via a direct connection to the service. The tiled map service provides almost the same functionality (except query, dynamic mapping) as a tiled service on your own ArcGIS Server. It's the same with Hosted Feature Services...

Mike

[wilbev]

Mike,

Yep, I definitely understand and realize the SD file is uploaded to ArcGIS online when publishing from ArcGIS Desktop. However, once it's up there, there is nothing do with it. Yes, you have the feature service or map service to work with but once you make changes to that Feature Service it's no longer is the same as SD file the service is created from, right? What I'm saying here, is it would be nice to create another hosted service directly from that SD file without the need to publish it again from Desktop to get the original state back again. Sounds like ArcGIS Server Manager has this ability, to publish direct from SD file vs. from Desktop. Basically you could look at the SD file as a map template with all the fields you want to collect and then use it again to collect new features, you don't have to go back a publish again from ArcGIS desktop.