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ArcGIS Pro (Desktop GIS)

  • Think of it like Microsoft Word or Photoshop, but for maps.
  • You install it on your computer.
  • You can draw maps, analyze locations, and make fancy visualizations.
  • It’s desktop software → you work on your PC.

ArcGIS Pro is a desktop application that professionals use to create, analyze, and manage maps and geographic data. Think of it as the “power tool” for GIS specialists. It runs on a computer, allows advanced analysis, and is where most of the heavy lifting of data preparation and map design happens.

ArcGIS Online (Cloud GIS)

  • This is like Google Drive for maps.
  • It lives in the cloud (online).
  • You can upload your maps from ArcGIS Pro and share them with others through a website.
  • Anyone with permission can view, interact, or even update the maps using a browser or mobile app.
  • No installation needed, just internet.

ArcGIS Online is a cloud-based platform for sharing and using maps. Instead of keeping maps only on a specialist’s computer, ArcGIS Online makes them available through a web browser or mobile app. This allows wider audiences—managers, field staff, or the public—to view, interact with, and sometimes update maps without needing technical software.

ArcGIS Enterprise (On-Premises GIS Platform)

  • Imagine a company says: “We want our own private Google Drive for maps, locked inside our office building.”
  • That’s ArcGIS Enterprise → it’s the same idea as ArcGIS Online, but you install it on your organization’s own servers.
  • You get more control, security, and the ability to connect with internal company data.
  • It’s usually for big organizations (government, utilities, etc.).

ArcGIS Enterprise offers the same sharing and collaboration features as ArcGIS Online, but it runs on an organization’s own servers or private cloud. This is typically chosen by organizations that need more control, tighter data security, or integration with internal systems. It ensures GIS maps and data are accessible company-wide while staying within the organization’s IT environment.

ESRI MOOC

  • A free online class about maps and GIS made by Esri.
  • Like Khan Academy or Coursera, but focused on learning mapping skills.

Esri offers free online courses to help anyone learn mapping and GIS skills. These courses are structured, accessible to all levels, and provide a way for professionals and students to upskill in areas like spatial analysis, data visualization, and decision-making with maps.

Esri Story / Esri Maps Gallery

  • A public library of maps and apps created by people around the world.
  • Think of it like an art gallery, but instead of paintings, you see maps that tell stories.

The ArcGIS Gallery is a collection of ready-made maps, apps, and dashboards created by the Esri community. It’s like a showcase of real-world examples that organizations can explore for inspiration, best practices, or direct use.

Living Lab (Esri)

  • A place to experiment and test new mapping ideas with real-world problems.
  • Like a playground for innovation, where Esri partners with schools, cities, or organizations to try solutions.

A Living Lab is an innovation program where Esri collaborates with organizations, schools, or cities to test new technologies and approaches using GIS. It serves as a “real-world testbed,” allowing partners to experiment with mapping solutions before scaling them.

Living Atlas of the World

  • A giant online library of ready-to-use maps, data, and layers.
  • Think of it as Wikipedia for maps, but curated and reliable.
  • Example: population maps, climate data, roads, imagery—all in one place.

The Living Atlas is Esri’s curated library of global geographic information—maps, imagery, demographic data, environmental data, and more. It provides organizations with authoritative, ready-to-use content that can be integrated into their own mapping projects, reducing the time and cost of sourcing data.

ArcGIS Trust Center

  • Esri’s “safety and privacy promise”.
  • It explains how your maps and data are kept secure, private, and reliable.
  • Like the “nutritional label” but for security and trust in technology.

The Trust Center is Esri’s hub for transparency around security, privacy, and compliance. It explains how Esri protects customer data, follows regulatory standards, and ensures system reliability. For non-technical stakeholders, it’s essentially Esri’s commitment to keeping your organization’s geospatial data safe.

ArcGIS Developer

  • A set of tools and resources for programmers who want to build apps with maps.
  • Example: making a mobile app that shows nearby bus stops using Esri’s map services.
  • Basically: the “toolbox for coders”.

ArcGIS Developer provides tools, APIs, and resources for software developers to build custom applications powered by Esri’s mapping technology. This enables organizations to create tailored solutions—such as location-based apps, dashboards, or services—that go beyond what’s available out of the box.

In Summary

  • ArcGIS Pro = Desktop tool to create & analyze maps. where maps and analysis are created.
  • ArcGIS Online = Cloud space to share and use maps easily. cloud-based sharing for broad access and collaboration.
  • ArcGIS Enterprise = Private “in-house” cloud for sharing maps inside an organization. a private, in-house version of Online for organizations that require more control and security.
  • MOOC = free online GIS school. free training for building GIS skills.
  • Gallery = museum of maps. showcase of ready-made maps and apps.
  • Living Lab = playground for testing ideas. testing ground for innovation.
  • Living Atlas = giant library of maps and data. authoritative global map and data library.
  • Trust Center = safety and privacy guide. assurance of security and compliance.
  • Developer = toolbox for coders to make apps with maps. toolkit for building custom map-based applications.