Is There a Future ArcGIS Explorer Desktop Application?

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02-18-2015 01:47 PM
JoeFlannery
Occasional Contributor III

The last major, new build of ArcGIS Explorer Desktop (AGX) was February of 2013, two years ago.  AGX 2500/2505 has been limping along now for way too long and continue to fall farther and farther behind with each new release of ArcGIS for Desktop and updates of ArcGIS Online.  In its day, AGX was considered a wonderful desktop solution for end-users of GIS data and services.  Today, it barely functions.

At the 2014 Esri User Conference (seven months ago), a new product, Explorer for Windows Desktop or ArcGIS Viewer, whatever the name is today, was available for viewing (beta version) at an Esri Showcase island.  It looked very promising.

I think it is poor business for Esri to not be sharing with its multitude of users the plan for new AGX builds or a new AGX replacement application.  There are many loyal and ardent users of AGX who have been left hanging for well over a year for an updated AGX product. Frankly, I feel disrespected.

In the mean-time, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS for Desktop and Server, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Runtime SDKs, iOS and Android Apps, Community Maps, Open Data, etc., continue to be updated and upgraded, regularly and frequently.

Esri – do you really have nothing to tell us about the next version of AGX?  Is there no beta program for the next version of AGX?  Are you even working on a new version of AGX?  Should your users be looking for a Windows desktop alternative to AGX (Google Earth Pro just went to Free)?

Your army of struggling AGX users have been patiently waiting for any hint of news regarding the future of AGX.  Please tell us what’s going on.

Viewer.JPG

44 Replies
RichardDaniels
Occasional Contributor III

Just found the 3400 download site, no mention there that the Data Access expansion pack functionality has been rolled into the core product (per this blog).. I don't think that is fully the case because the nmf we use for our agency works fine in version 2505 but in the new version it will not open all the layers in our basemap (i.e., default ESRI imagery in particular).

Note - the depreciation planhas this version being RETIRED on October 1, 2017. Should we invest any additional resources into this software or abandon it and move on to another solution (i.e., was this the last release)?

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SteveCole
Frequent Contributor

mbockenhauer-esristaff‌ (or any ESRI employee) Can you share any sort of update about the future of ArcGIS Explorer for Desktop? I know I would like to see a free viewer with an SDK still exist moving forward, as would our Assessor's staff who have developed a field application to assist them with their assessments.

Thank you.

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RichardDaniels
Occasional Contributor III

The main problem with most of the new ArcGIS "Explorer" type solutions is demonstrated by the following quote from the Explorer for ArcGIS Application.

"To use your maps in Explorer, you must have an ArcGIS organizational account. ArcGIS Online and Portal for ArcGIS 10.3.1 and later are supported."

This means their solutions require a internet connection and AGOL accounts to work. Thus they do not provide a cost free environment for development.

SteveCole
Frequent Contributor

Agreed. It is obvious that the older flavor doesn't fit into their "healthy growth" business model but that's not what helps us get work done.

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RichardDaniels
Occasional Contributor III

The current Build is 3500, the current MSI package was built 9/21/2015 and released on October 2015. Build 3400 enters mature support on October 2016 with retirement October 2017.

full support   mature support

Oct 2015 – Sept 2016

Oct 2016 – Sept 2017

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