Something new for users of ArcGIS Online in December 2018 – User types rolled out in the December 5th update from Esri. These new user types will give ArcGIS Online Administrators more options for managing users and the capabilities they have within the organization.
No doubt, you may have heard directly from Esri regarding this “big change”. When Esri started promoting the December update to ArcGIS Online, new user types were front and center as a key touch point – see this blog post titled “What’s coming in ArcGIS Online” by Kelly Gerrow-Wilcox. In this article, the topic of new user types was shared with the public as Kelly commented that what ArcGIS users and administrators currently know as user levels will evolve into user types. Perhaps a big surprise to many, there would now be 5 user types, compared to the previous 2 levels of users.
Take note of the following from Esri, “With the December release of ArcGIS Online, existing Level 1 and Level 2 named users will be automatically migrated to the new User Types—there will be no change in capabilities or cost.”
Looking back to pre-December 2018 ArcGIS Online, users had an identity and subsequent capabilities within their ArcGIS Online organization that was determined by their user level. As a user, you were either a level 1 or 2. The data you had access to, the analytic capabilities, and functionality enabled upon your data within ArcGIS Online was determined by which level of user you were assigned. With the December 2018 update to ArcGIS Online, this changed with the introduction of the 5 new user types. These user types are best described as follows, “User types are a combination of identity, capabilities, and apps that align with the needs of typical members in an organization” (“Esri). User types are named logically with a more descriptive label. Additionally, with 5 access levels, the administrator has even greater flexibility to ensure users are enabled with the access and capabilities that they need to do their job.
Terminology
When thinking about users and capabilities, there is some terminology to be familiar with. Consider the following:
- Role – A role defines the set of privileges assigned to a member. Members are assigned a role when they are added to the organization.
- Privileges – Privileges are assigned to users, allowing them to perform different tasks and workflows.
- User Types – These are the new building blocks of ArcGIS Online users. User types allow you to match your team members with the capabilities required to do their job.
Let us now look at the 5 new user types:
Viewer
Previously referred to as “Level 1 Named User”, the Viewer has view-only capabilities enabling them to accomplish things like viewing their organization’s private content, joining groups (by invitation), accessing basemaps, searching for content, and using configured apps (read-only).
Editor
View and edit capabilities. Editors will be able to access and edit data that is shared with them by other members in their organization. The Editor will also likely be provided with access to applications used to build custom maps and apps, like Web AppBuilder and configurable apps. It’s important to note, Editors CANNOT analyze, create, or share items or data. The Editor type includes the “Essential Apps” bundle.
Field Worker
Similar to the Editor, the Field Worker has view and edit capabilities with items shared with them. This user has access to applications included in the field apps and essential apps bundle. This user cannot analyze, create, or share items or data.
Creator
The Creator has all the capabilities of the Viewer, Editor, and Field Worker. In addition to those capabilities, they can also create and share content while having administration capabilities within your organization. They have these privileges for the essential apps, field apps, and office app bundles. The Creator is ideally assigned to members of your team that are required to create data, maps, and web apps, while also performing spatial analysis using a range of analytical tools.
GIS Professional
GIS Professionals have all the capabilities and app bundles of the Creator, plus access to ArcGIS Pro (Basic, Standard, or Advanced). This user type is designed for those who need the full suite of GIS apps to perform their work. This user does not include access to ArcMap or other ArcGIS Desktop products.
For more information on user types, we suggest you also browse this document from the ArcGIS Online help titled “User types, roles, and privileges“.
Understanding Bundles & Bundled Solutions
In the user type descriptions listed above, each new user type is paired up with app bundles. These are the included apps that are associated with each user type – this is a new concept introduced with the latest update of ArcGIS Online (Dec 2018). App “bundles” are groups of apps that are often used together, which can be purchased and assigned to a user. Below we share the application bundles that are included with each new user type:
Viewer
- Essential apps bundle (read-only)
Editor
- Essential apps bundle (edit only)
Field Worker
- Field apps bundle
- Essential apps bundle (edit only)
Creator
- Essential apps bundle
- Field apps bundle
- Office apps bundle
GIS Professional
- Essential apps bundle
- Field Apps bundle
- Office Apps bundle
- ArcGIS Pro
In addition to the included application bundles, there are also compatible add-on applications supported by each user type (eg. Survey123, Collector, ArcGIS Pro). For more detailed information about application bundles, we suggest you checkout this article about ArcGIS Online subscriptions. Finally, it is important to know that there may be costs associated with the assignment of user types within your organization. Be sure to consult this page about ArcGIS Online pricing.
Wondering what kind of user type you are? This is simple to see. Within ArcGIS Online, sign in to your account. Then, navigate to the “members” tab. You should see your profile at the top. Next to “Roles”, click the dots to the right. You’ll see an option for “View Profile”. This is your “My Profile” section. For myself, I am listed as a Creator (was Level 2) and all the included bundles are listed (See below).
See Also the following resources:
- Your Guide to Named User Levels
- What’s New in ArcGIS Online (December 2018)
- Coming to ArcGIS Online – Intro to user types (by Kelly Gerrow-Wilcox)
- Admin Tools User Management Tips
- Portal for ArcGIS, Levels, Roles, and Privileges
ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online administrators, remember there is no better way to manage all the items and users within your organization than Admin Tools for ArcGIS – more than 60 tools to support you in your job and make you more efficient.
Jack D announces the new @Esri approach to licensing which has now been refocused on “user types” within an organization along with their needs for geospatial capability and apps. Have questions, let us know! This is a good move. @EsriEGUG #GeoConX pic.twitter.com/yd8Q7B7zeT
— SSP Innovations (@SSPInnovations) November 6, 2018
