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

    ../_images/QuickStart-1.png

  2. Enter ArcGIS service URL and click Load Layers

    ../_images/ArcGIS-1.png

  3. Select the Layer to import

    ../_images/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

../_images/ArcGIS-3.png

  1. A dataset is now created from the ESRI layer

    ../_images/ArcGIS-4.png

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

    ../_images/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 Pipelines.