Import ESRI Data
================

Aurora integrates with ESRI ArcGIS services through two dedicated components:

- **ESRI Browser** - discover and inspect ArcGIS services
- **Pipelines** - ingest ArcGIS layers into Aurora datasets

These tools allow you to explore ESRI content, evaluate layers, and optionally convert them into Aurora-managed data for maps, dashboards, and analysis.

Overview
--------

ESRI data accessed by Aurora originates from ArcGIS REST services, including:

- Feature Services
- Map Services
- Layer endpoints
- Hosted ArcGIS layers

Aurora does not depend on ESRI software. Instead, it connects directly to ArcGIS service endpoints and retrieves data through Pipelines.

ESRI Browser
------------

The ESRI Browser provides a discovery interface for ArcGIS services.

You can:

- Enter ArcGIS REST service URLs
- Browse available layers
- Inspect fields and geometry
- View service metadata
- Preview spatial content
- Identify layers suitable for ingestion

The Browser helps evaluate ESRI sources before creating a Pipeline.

Creating a Pipeline from ESRI
-----------------------------

To import data from ESRI, either as a one-off migration or Scheduled import

1. Click on New > New Dataset

   .. image:: ../_static/QuickStart-1.png

2. Enter ArcGIS service URL and click Load Layers

   .. image:: ../_static/ArcGIS-1.png


3. Select the Layer to import

   .. image:: ../_static/ArcGIS-2.png

4. If username and password are required, enter them here.  If a one-time import, use default, if Scheduled, select Schedule.

Click the Save button

   .. image:: ../_static/ArcGIS-3.png

5. A dataset is now created from the ESRI layer

   .. image:: ../_static/ArcGIS-4.png

6. Configure dataset, map, etc..  You can now use the dataset as well as use dataset in Maps, Dashboards, and other functions

   .. image:: ../_static/ArcGIS-5.png

The Pipeline retrieves features from the ArcGIS service and stores them in PostGIS as an Aurora dataset.

When to Use ESRI Browser Only
-----------------------------

Use the Browser without ingestion when:

- Exploring unknown ArcGIS services
- Inspecting schema or geometry
- Cataloging external GIS endpoints
- Comparing data sources
- Identifying candidates for Pipelines

No data is stored in Aurora unless a Pipeline is created.

Pipeline Ingestion Behavior
---------------------------

When ESRI data is ingested:

- Features are retrieved from the ArcGIS service
- Geometry and attributes are normalized
- Data is stored in Aurora dataset storage
- Dataset identifiers are created
- Maps and dashboards can reference the dataset
- Scheduled updates can maintain synchronization

This converts external ArcGIS layers into native Aurora data.

Relationship to Maps and Dashboards
-----------------------------------

ESRI data becomes fully integrated with Aurora once ingested.

Pipeline datasets can:

- Drive map layers
- Feed dashboard charts
- Participate in analysis
- Appear in apps and reports
- Update automatically on schedule

Maps and dashboards reference the Aurora dataset, not the ArcGIS service.

Relationship to Pipelines
-------------------------

The ESRI Browser is a discovery interface for Pipeline sources.

Pipelines provide:

- Data ingestion
- Transformation
- Scheduling
- Dataset creation
- Integration with Aurora modules

See :doc:`../modules/pipelines`.