The world of GIS is constantly evolving and improving with more sophisticated ways to visualize spatial data. One of the noteworthy changes we are excited to offer MVPC communities is improved mobile and desktop app experiences through Esri’s new Experience Builder technology. Experience Builder offers new and revolutionary ways to display spatial data and maps through various improved layouts, widgets, and functionality. With Esri’s announcement that Web App Builder will be retired this year, MVPC GIS has begun the push to upgrade all our apps to Experience Builder.

Using the latest Java script, the functionality of Experience Builder is a step above its Web App Builder predecessor. Not only is there higher processing power for more robust online analyses, the introduction of a plethora of new widgets makes user functionality easier than ever before. App creators are presented with map-centric, data-centric, and other visually compelling widgets to design an experience to suit the varied needs of their users. There has never been a more convenient and comprehensive way to display spatial data in an online Esri product. The platform goes beyond simply accommodating spatial data visualizations too. It allows attachments, renderings and other aids to spatial data such as pictures, documents, and charts to more easily be integrated into an experience to communicate the story that is being told.

Beyond dynamic ways to display data, Experience Builder has undergone a base code update that bolsters it’s ability to perform more robust GIS operations online. To make data driven planning decisions, planners need access to a range of important spatial analyses like land use, suitability and site selection to name a few. Prior to the introduction of Experiences, most higher level spatial analysis could only be done through a desktop ArcGIS application, such as ArcMap or ArcPro, which required many communities have access to expensive GIS hardware, staff or a Regional GIS Service Center like MVPC to accommodate these analyses. The JavaScript 4 API upgrade is what makes it possible to handle these items in Experience Builder. Generating certain high-level products like elevation profiles and suitability models can now be done without having to leave your online browser.

The GIS/IT department is now in the process of upgrading our extensive collection of Web App Builder apps to Experience Builders, ushering in a new era of sleek-looking applications that deliver an expansive level of service to the Merrimack Valley communities. We look forward to improving the ability for our user base to utilize the data they collect in unique ways.

For more information about the app program at MVPC or our GIS Regional Service Center, please visit our program page.

For more information about the capabilities of Experience Builder, please visit Esri’s product page.