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Data editing and management system (SaaS)

The data editing and management system pattern is available as a software as a service (SaaS) based deployment using ArcGIS Online.

ArcGIS Online is a cloud-based GIS managed and delivered as SaaS by Esri. ArcGIS Online provides capabilities that span the data, services/logic, and presentation tiers, working together to provide a complete system. Built on world-class cloud architecture and managed by IT and geographic information system (GIS) experts, ArcGIS Online offers reliable and comprehensive web-based GIS capabilities.

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Base architecture

The following is a typical base architecture for a data editing and management system deployed as SaaS.

This diagram should not be taken as is and used as the design for your system. There are many important factors and design choices that should be considered when designing your system. Review the using system patterns topic for more information. Additionally, the diagram depicted below delivers only the base capabilities of the system; additional system components may be required when delivering extended capabilities.

Data editing and management system base architecture (SaaS)

The capabilities represented above reflect those available as of November, 2024.

Key components of this architecture include:

  • ArcGIS Online, including standard portal components such as users, groups, and items, as well as location services such as basemaps and geocoding services. The location services powering the data editing and management system may also come in part or full from another location services system.
  • Editing capabilities are provided by ArcGIS Online hosted feature services. The data being edited is also stored within ArcGIS Online, in cloud-based storage managed by Esri. Data can also be published to ArcGIS Online from several sources.
  • There are several applications commonly used in this pattern. Learn more about applications used in data editing and management systems.
Note:

Hosting for custom, full-code web applications is not provided by ArcGIS Online. External web hosting (e.g., web server), not depicted in the diagram above, is required for hosting custom, full-code web applications.

Key interactions in this architecture include:

  1. Client applications communicate with data services as well as location services over HTTPS, typically via stateless REST APIs. This pattern makes heavy use of feature services for editing specifically, though several other service types are typically be used as well.

Additional information on using and administering ArcGIS Online can be found in the ArcGIS Online product documentation.

Capabilities

The capabilities of the data editing and management system on SaaS are described below. See the capability overview and comparison of capability support across deployment patterns for more information.

Capabilities used in a data editing and management system, but typically provided by other systems, such as basemaps, geocoding, and other location services provided by a location services system are not listed below. Learn more about related system patterns.

Base capabilities

Base capabilities represent the most common capabilities delivered by data editing and management systems and that are enabled by the base architecture presented above.

Extended capabilities

Extended capabilities are typically added to meet specific needs or support industry specific data models and solutions, and may require additional software components or architectural considerations.

Considerations

The considerations below apply the pillars of the ArcGIS Well-Architected Framework to the data editing and management system pattern on SaaS. The information presented here is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather highlights key considerations for designing and/or implementing this specific combination of system and deployment pattern. Learn more about the architecture pillars of the ArcGIS Well-Architected Framework.

Reliability

Reliability ensures your system provides the level of service required by the business, as well as your customers and stakeholders. For more information, see the reliability pillar overview.

  • ArcGIS Online leverages multiple availability zones, regions, and service providers to ensure redundancy, resiliency, and service continuity.
  • Service Level Agreement (SLA) provided by ArcGIS Online.
  • Data integrity and recoverability is typically paramount with this type of system, thus backup processes and procedures external to ArcGIS Online are recommended.

Security

Security protects your systems and information. For more information, see the security pillar overview.

  • Authentication and authorization are almost always required, apart from a crowd sourcing style collection scenario (though these are more commonly deployed using SaaS or PaaS).
    • User access and data collaboration are governed by role-based access controls and modern authorization and authentication models, including OAuth, SAML, and multi-factor authentication.
  • Auditing is very common, and is typically implemented using editor tracking.
  • Systems are subject to vulnerability assessments including system, web application, and database scans.

Learn more about ArcGIS Online security best practices and implementation guidance.

Performance & Scalability

Performance and scalability aim to optimize the overall experience users have with the system, as well as ensure the system scales to meet evolving workload demands. For more information, see the performance and scalability pillar overview.

  • Scaling is handled automatically by ArcGIS Online.
    • Multiple content delivery networks deliver highly scalable maps and apps to diverse locations around the world.
    • For additional feature data storage support, isolation, and compute, consider the ArcGIS Online Premium Feature Data Store extended capability.
  • For both performance and data residency, regional geospatial data hosting is available in the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Automation

Automation aims to reduce effort spent on manual deployment and operational tasks, leading to increased operational efficiency as well as reduction in human introduced system anomalies. For more information, see the automation pillar overview.

  • Workflow automation is increasingly common with SaaS-based data editing and management systems, especially with large groups of editors working in concert to edit and maintain shared or related datasets. Please see ArcGIS Workflow Manager for more information on this extended capability.
  • Data management often involves automation, typically using Python to access and manage data in ArcGIS Online managed data storage. This is most commonly done using the ArcGIS API for Python as well as ArcGIS Notebooks delivered as SaaS through ArcGIS Online.

Integration

Integration connects this system with other systems for delivering enterprise services and amplifying organizational productivity. For more information, see the integration pillar overview.

  • Integration with other information systems such as Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) systems is common.
  • Data exchange and alignment between systems is very typical
    • Use of ArcGIS APIs and SDKs is quite common
    • 3rd party integration tools and applications are also available

Observability

Observability provides visibility into the system, enabling operations staff and other technical roles to keep the system running in a healthy, steady state. For more information see the observability pillar overview

  • Successful operation of data editing and management systems typically benefits from a good understanding of how data is being edited and by whom. This may include, but is not limited to, who is editing what, the nature of those edits, the nature of edit transactions, use of batch editing capabilities, as well as the overall volume and cadence of edits. Management and monitoring of feature services is especially important, including use of edit tracking and auditing.
  • ArcGIS Online, as a SaaS offering, does not support observation of its underlying infrastructure and software internals. It does, however, offer ways to observe system utilization and health.
  • Some extended capabilities of this system pattern, such as workflow management and automation with ArcGIS Workflow Manager, have additional observability support. Review the corresponding product documentation for more information.
  • Use of web analytics may also be helpful for editing using custom web-based applications.
  • Additional observation of user logins and account changes may be possible through the configured identity provider when using SAML and/or OpenID Connect logins.

Other

Additional considerations for designing and implementing a data editing and management system as SaaS include:

  • Successful operation requires strong understanding of GIS and IT concepts as well as technology. The organization should also understand the implication of SaaS, from a data access, security, and management perspective.
  • Data governance and alignment with IT policies and roles, such as data steward and content manager, should strongly be considered when implementing this system pattern.

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