Working remotely with ArcGIS Desktop
To support you as you begin working from home, we have collated FAQs and associated resources and tips.
The FAQ’s provide information on how to optimise the changeover for users and administrators and focus on how to get set up in a remote situation.
As an administrator, the workflow for setting up licenses for working from home depends on license types, the availability of downloads, the number of available licenses and if users can access the them.
For users, the workflow involves how to obtain the downloads and authorise the license.
Before you get started
As an administrator for your organisation, or as a user, this is what you need to start working remotely.
IDENTIFY
Determine the license requirements for your individual needs
SELECT
Determine the best deployment method
CONNECT
Establish if administrators and users can access MyEsri and ArcGIS Online
COMMUNICATE
Communicate with your ITS to determine your network and licensing requirements
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is ArcGIS Desktop?
ArcGIS Desktop is a complete suite for desktop GIS. ArcGIS 10.8 is the latest version available and includes ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcGIS Pro 2.5.
- How do I access licenses and downloads for ArcGIS?
To access licenses and downloads for ArcGIS, you must be a member with licensing and download permissions on My Esri. Learn more about My Esri here.
- What types licenses for ArcGIS Desktop are available?
There are three types of licenses:
Named user licenses (Only for ArcGIS Pro)
Concurrent use licenses
Single use licensing
ArcGIS Pro
A guide to getting you set up to work from home using ArcGIS Pro
- Which license types are used for ArcGIS Pro?
ArcGIS pro uses the following license types accessed via ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise:
Named user
With a Named User license, you sign into ArcGIS Pro with credentials. These credentials—a username and password—are provided through your membership in an ArcGIS Online organisation or your organisation’s ArcGIS Enterprise Portal. The account administrator allocates the license to individual users. Further information about named user licenses can be found here.Concurrent use
Concurrent use licenses are authorised on a License Manager (LM) that manages the distribution of licenses to users. Concurrent use licenses can be used for ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro. Information on installation and authorisation of licenses in ArcGIS Pro can be found here.Single use
Single use licenses are authorised to a single machine. Information on how to how to authorise the licenses in ArcGIS Pro can be found here.
- How do I get started in ArcGIS Pro?
For more information on setting up licensing and installation, visit the About ArcGIS Pro page or the Esri Australia support page.
- How do I work offline using ArcGIS Pro?
Named user licenses
If you need to work in a disconnected environment, you can authorise ArcGIS Pro to work offline. This allows you to use the application without being signed into a licensing portal. Your ArcGIS Online Administrator will need to enable this option.Concurrent use licenses can enable borrowing on the License Manager (LM).
Single use licenses can be used offline by default.
ArcGIS Pro named user licenses may be converted to Concurrent Use or Single Use if required. The user requires access to My Esri with license permissions.
ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap)
Find out which license types are used for ArcGIS Desktop and how to work in both a connected and disconnected environment
- What license types are used for ArcGIS Desktop?
Concurrent Use
The license is authorised to a License Manager (LM) and the user requires access to the server to consume a license.Single Use
The license is authorised to the individual machine. The license can be used anywhere and is by default offline. - How do I get started with ArcMap?
The ArcGIS Desktop 10.8 quick start guide gives information on setting up licensing and installation.
- How do I work offline using ArcMap?
Concurrent Use
The license is authorised to a License Manager (LM) and the user requires access to the server to consume a license.The main area of concern is the number of licenses available in the pool compared to the number of users. If there are enough licenses available, the ArcGIS Server administrator can set up Borrowing on the License Manager. Once borrowed the licenses will be removed from the license pool in the LM. A time limit can be set on the LM, after which the borrowed licenses will automatically be returned.
If there are not enough licenses the users will need to access the license manager remotely. The user’s IT will need to allow access to the license manager. This may involve using a VPN. They may also need to address firewall exceptions. This needs to be addressed before the user begins working remotely.
Single Use
The license is authorised to the individual machine. The license can be used anywhere and is by default offline. - We are using Citrix to Access ArcGIS Desktop, how will this work?
If you use Citrix to access Esri technology, you shouldn’t have any issues if you are connected to your organisation’s VPN. The connection to the VPN will be the responsibility of your organisations IT department. If there are any issues, using a single use license could be an option for both ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap.