Web AppBuilder and Portal 10.5....what will the release schedule look like?

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01-10-2017 06:04 PM
RebeccaStrauch__GISP
MVP Emeritus

Hi Derek Law‌ -- I'm leaving this a question in case it is a simple answer, but will change it to a discussion if not.

We had a presentation and discussion about ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5...and a bit more about how (using the common, pre-10.5 name)  ArcGIS Server, Portal, ArcGIS Online, and the other components are changing some of how we might think about deploying. 

So this had me asking, "how (or) will this effect the releases of Web Appbuilder"?  Typically it is AGOL first, then Web Appbuilder developer edition about a month later, then the Portal version last.   

Q: With Portal now being more integrated (for lack of better term) with the ArcGIS Server part, including most likely being on the same release schedule,will the Portal Web Appbuilder updates/release be the same as software versions (i.e. 10.5, to 10.5.1, etc) meaning possibly less updates?....will we get more/interim  releases?...will it make no difference??

I know this is a rather vague question, and the answer may be that it will be the same, but my thought process is if we install and deploy Portal for 10.5, do we want to look more into using the built in Web Appbuilder for that.  I know that the dev edition will always have more flexibility, but just trying to think outside the AGOL and dev boxes.   When I asked at the meeting, they suggested I ask you.  (lucky you)

BTW - A helpful document that may be of interest to others is the 10.5 Server Functionality Matrix

http://www.esri.com/library/brochures/pdfs/arcgis-enterprise-functionality-matrix.pdf 

tagging  https://community.esri.com/community/gis/web-gis/portal-for-arcgis?sr=search&searchId=16df10ff-a3b7-...‌  https://community.esri.com/groups/web-app-builder-custom-widgetshttps://community.esri.com/community/gis/enterprise-gis/arcgis-for-server?sr=search&searchId=3b334ff...‌  (no ArcGIS Enterprise group yet??)

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DerekLaw
Esri Esteemed Contributor

Hi Rebecca,

> "how (or) will this effect the releases of Web Appbuilder"?  Typically it is AGOL first, then Web Appbuilder developer edition about a month later, then the Portal version last. 

There are no changes to how Web AppBuilder will be released. This release cycle is still true: ArcGIS Online first, followed by Developer Edition 4-6 weeks later, then Portal for ArcGIS last.

Just to be clear, regarding the ArcGIS 10.5 release: the software has not really changed, it's simply being re-branded.

Pre-10.5, you could get a product called "ArcGIS for Server" and it included the following software components:

i) the GIS Server (aka, ArcGIS Server)

ii) Portal for ArcGIS

iii) ArcGIS Data Store

iv) ArcGIS Web Adaptor

At 10.5, you now get a product called "ArcGIS Enterprise" and it includes the following software components:

i) the GIS Server (aka, ArcGIS Server)

ii) Portal for ArcGIS

iii) ArcGIS Data Store

iv) ArcGIS Web Adaptor

The product name change was made to promote the idea of the ArcGIS Platform, which is the "web GIS" pattern, can be deployed in your own infrastructure.

> With Portal now being more integrated (for lack of better term) with the ArcGIS Server part, including most likely being on the same release schedule

Both components are still 2 separate installs and have always been on the same release schedule.

At 10.5, there's also been the introduction of membership levels for named user accounts in Portal for ArcGIS:
Levels, roles, and privileges—Portal for ArcGIS (10.5) | ArcGIS Enterprise 

and there are changes to how 3 GIS Server extensions are licensed: Image, GeoEvent, and GeoAnalytics. Because these extensions typically require more resources to work efficiently, there is a new "Server role" deployment strategy:
About ArcGIS Server licensing roles—Documentation | ArcGIS Enterprise 

Note: I know Business Analyst Server is also in the help topic, but I believe it's considered to be a separate product.

> if we install and deploy Portal for 10.5, do we want to look more into using the built in Web Appbuilder

It really depends on your needs. If you want to leverage the latest Web AppBuilder release + custom 3rd party widgets and themes, then use Web AppBuilder Developer Edition. If not, then just use the embedded release in Portal for ArcGIS.

Hope this helps,

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4 Replies
DerekLaw
Esri Esteemed Contributor

Hi Rebecca,

> "how (or) will this effect the releases of Web Appbuilder"?  Typically it is AGOL first, then Web Appbuilder developer edition about a month later, then the Portal version last. 

There are no changes to how Web AppBuilder will be released. This release cycle is still true: ArcGIS Online first, followed by Developer Edition 4-6 weeks later, then Portal for ArcGIS last.

Just to be clear, regarding the ArcGIS 10.5 release: the software has not really changed, it's simply being re-branded.

Pre-10.5, you could get a product called "ArcGIS for Server" and it included the following software components:

i) the GIS Server (aka, ArcGIS Server)

ii) Portal for ArcGIS

iii) ArcGIS Data Store

iv) ArcGIS Web Adaptor

At 10.5, you now get a product called "ArcGIS Enterprise" and it includes the following software components:

i) the GIS Server (aka, ArcGIS Server)

ii) Portal for ArcGIS

iii) ArcGIS Data Store

iv) ArcGIS Web Adaptor

The product name change was made to promote the idea of the ArcGIS Platform, which is the "web GIS" pattern, can be deployed in your own infrastructure.

> With Portal now being more integrated (for lack of better term) with the ArcGIS Server part, including most likely being on the same release schedule

Both components are still 2 separate installs and have always been on the same release schedule.

At 10.5, there's also been the introduction of membership levels for named user accounts in Portal for ArcGIS:
Levels, roles, and privileges—Portal for ArcGIS (10.5) | ArcGIS Enterprise 

and there are changes to how 3 GIS Server extensions are licensed: Image, GeoEvent, and GeoAnalytics. Because these extensions typically require more resources to work efficiently, there is a new "Server role" deployment strategy:
About ArcGIS Server licensing roles—Documentation | ArcGIS Enterprise 

Note: I know Business Analyst Server is also in the help topic, but I believe it's considered to be a separate product.

> if we install and deploy Portal for 10.5, do we want to look more into using the built in Web Appbuilder

It really depends on your needs. If you want to leverage the latest Web AppBuilder release + custom 3rd party widgets and themes, then use Web AppBuilder Developer Edition. If not, then just use the embedded release in Portal for ArcGIS.

Hope this helps,

RebeccaStrauch__GISP
MVP Emeritus

Just to be clear, regarding the ArcGIS 10.5 release: the software has not really changed, it's simply being re-branded.

Hi Derek,

I have to laugh at this....that is what I have been telling staff and others, but although it is basically true, it's not necessarily the official statement from the customer service reps.  It is an interesting shift in emphasis, from a customer point of view, from the pushing of ArcGIS Online for the past couple of years to now pushing Portal.  "Pushing" might be a bit strong, it's more, the amount of time spent talking about it.

Personally, the "umbrella" name of suite of products means less to me in day-to-day operations since when talking about a particular install/product/task/issue/whatever, we still need to discuss the individual parts.  The branding however does now pull in Portal more in my mind with the rest....so mission accomplished there I guess.

In previous versions, Portal seemed to be something I/we didn't need to bother with, and now, with the re-branding and semi re-packaging, I can really see how it can fit in our organization. As with every release, I'm taking a step back and trying to see the full picture and what direction we can take it.  Yesterday's presentation/discussion helped with some of this, but as with more presentations, it just moves my questions to the next level.

There are no changes to how Web AppBuilder will be released. This release cycle is still true: ArcGIS Online first, followed by Developer Edition 4-6 weeks later, then Portal for ArcGIS last.

The WAB question was a bit off topic for that meeting, and as I was writing the post, I realized there really was no basis for the question just because of the release of 10.5 and the rebranding, but figured I would ask anyway.  You answered the release question (same schedule, as makes sense when I think about it), plus much more, so hopefully this will be helpful to others. 

Thanks

AmyKlug
Occasional Contributor III

Derek,

It would be really nice if the widgets in Portal could be updated in a "patch" format (at the same time as the newest Developer Edition comes out). Many organizations do not update Portal but every other year. Adding a widget requires hosting the widget on a web server which is what we are trying to avoid.

Thanks

DerekLaw
Esri Esteemed Contributor

Hi Amy,

Thanks for your feedback. Can you please add your enhancement to the ArcGIS Ideas site?
This will help us assess if other customers are also interested in this type of option to update Web AppBuilder in Portal for ArcGIS.

Hope this helps,

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