ArcGIS Enterprise

What Are the Discovery, Execution, and Maintenance Phases of ArcGIS Enterprise Cloud Migration?

If you’re thinking about deploying ArcGIS Enterprise on cloud environments then it’s important to know what the discovery, execution, and maintenance phases of ArcGIS Enterprise cloud migration entail. At Blue Raster, we’re known for our extensive experience in deploying and managing cloud services and delivering top-notch ArcGIS Enterprise cloud migration support. In fact, our employees hold the following certifications to ensure the smoothest ArcGIS Enterprise cloud migration experience: 

  • Esri Enterprise System Design Professional 
  • Enterprise Geodata Management Professional  
  • Enterprise Administration Professional 
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network Select Consulting Partner 
  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner 
  • AWS Certified Security Specialty 
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect 
  • Microsoft Partner Network 

Our certified team will collaborate with you at every stage of your ArcGIS Enterprise cloud migration, so you’re always informed and onboard for every decision. We aim for every objective to meet your budget and scheduleno matter the cloud computing platform you choose to move forward with. 

We’ve broken down the discovery, execution, and maintenance phases of an ArcGIS Enterprise cloud migration so you can have a better understanding of how hands-on our process is! 

The Discovery Phase of ArcGIS Enterprise Cloud Migration

Before any cloud migration action can take place, our experts will meet with you to dive into your current architecture, GIS assets, and workflows. The discovery phase of an ArcGIS Enterprise cloud migration allows us to understand how your organization is currently using GIS, as well as the ways you want to enhance its capabilities in the future. By determining what is currently working well for your organization and what is not, we’re able to: 

  1. Choose the right cloud computing platform and architecture  
  2. Define the type of scalability you need and pinpoint the solutions that will increase your performance levels 
  3. Control how you want your data to be accessed, used, and stored 

Most importantly, we will discuss together the fundamental ways that geospatial data and analysis support your operations. Once we feel like we have a good understanding of your organization and its needs, we will move on to the execution phase of the ArcGIS Enterprise cloud migration process. 

The Execution Phase of ArcGIS Enterprise Cloud Migration

When we’ve covered the critical bases of your organization, our certified professionals will craft a cloud migration plan that helps you accomplish all of your goals. If there are tools or workflows that are not working well for your organization, we will exclude them from the execution of the migration process.  

We will work hand-in-hand with your IT team and other key stakeholders throughout the execution phase of the ArcGIS Enterprise cloud migration to ensure all of the cloud services integrate well with your existing systems and align with your overall technical roadmap. During the execution phase, we will focus on installing and deploying ArcGIS Enterprise and any other necessary or desired components that were decided upon during discovery. This will all be documented in your finalized architecture. Our team will also: 

  1. Assist with the configuration of user accounts and permissions 
  2. Implement a relational database management system as a datastore for GIS data 
  3. Set up a secure host for GIS administration 
  4. Ensure appropriate security measures and backups are in place 

The Maintenance Phase of ArcGIS Enterprise Cloud Migration

After completing the execution phase, our experts are readily available to support you with IT trainings, ongoing consultation services, proactive monitoring and health checks, and on-demand support services for any technical issues that may arise when administering and using ArcGIS Enterprise in the cloud. The maintenance phase of ArcGIS cloud migration may be the third step, but it’s not the end of our partnership. We’re here for you and your team whenever you need us! 

Expert Guidance for Your ArcGIS Enterprise Cloud Migration

Learn more about our ArcGIS Enterprise cloud migration plans and get started with our team today! 

Bringing Modern GIS Capabilities to Natural Lands

Since 1953, Natural Lands has dedicated time, energy, and funds to protecting open spaces and promoting biodiversity in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The nonprofit has worked tirelessly to preserve the two states' forests, wetlands, meadows, and farmlands so that future generations may appreciate and enjoy them for years to come. As a leading conservation organization that uses science-based approaches to protect some of the most valuable environmental areas, Natural Lands is no newcomer to using GIS to track acquired land, manage ecosystems, and engage communities in its conservation efforts.

Due to the ever-evolving capabilities of GIS, Natural Lands knew it would benefit from a partner who could help navigate and streamline its GIS operations and upgrade them to a more powerful GIS platform. Blue Raster was the perfect match.

Introducing ArcGIS Enterprise to Natural Lands

In order to enhance the nonprofit’s efforts, Blue Raster needed to first streamline its GIS operations. To do so, our team reviewed Natural Lands’ existing GIS architecture, datasets, and services, and proposed a migration strategy to ArcGIS Enterprise 10.9.1.

ArcGIS Enterprise was chosen for Natural Lands because of its:

  • Advanced spatial analysis tools
  • Streamlined data management capabilities
  • Ability to easily manage and analyze data related to land acquisition, ecological assessments, and restoration projects
  • Ability to communicate conservation work to the public, helping to raise awareness and build support for their efforts
ArcGIS Enterprise diagram

Kicking Off the Migration Process

Phase one of Natural Lands’ technology modernization began with our team establishing a Bastion host with ArcGIS Pro for Enterprise and Geodatabase Administration and proposing a strategy for backing up and exporting existing SQL Server databases and file geodatabases on the nonprofit’s existing server. This ensured a smooth and seamless migration experience, with minimal disruption to Natural Lands’ daily operations.

Once the migration was finished, our senior DevOps engineer, Scott Geistmann, installed, configured, and administered ArcGIS Enterprise Server Deployment 10.9.1, along with ArcGIS Portal, federated ArcGIS Server in a Hosting Role with ArcGIS Portal, and ArcGIS Data Store. Our team also set up Azure SQL Database Server and installed ArcGIS Pro, while advising on initial portal settings and configurations and proposing Azure Machine specifications. With these server improvements, Natural Lands was able to:

  • See an increase in performance for processors and storage capacity
  • Easily use the latest versions of ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Pro
  • Handle an increased workload and userbase
  • Access better support options—such as remote monitoring and management—with fewer maintenance requirements

Expert Guidance, Easy User Experience

Blue Raster’s professional support didn’t end with the successful migration to ArcGIS Enterprise. As a trusted GIS solutions provider, we delivered post-migration support and training to Natural Lands to guarantee everyone on the nonprofit’s team felt comfortable and informed when it came to the new enhancements. The training covered a range of topics, which included:

  • Managing the ArcGIS Enterprise Server
  • Overseeing Azure Cloud services and assets
  • Updating and publishing feature and image services
  • Administering ArcGIS Portal accounts—including user roles and permissions

With this new platform, Natural Lands can now access heightened GIS capabilities, making it easier for the nonprofit to manage their data and share it with the public efficiently and accurately. "We couldn't be more pleased with our ArcGIS Enterprise installation by Blue Raster. They guided us through the implementation process and provided top-notch support along the way,” shares Megan Boatright, GIS program director, Natural Lands.  “Blue Raster’s attention to detail and commitment to meeting our needs ensured a successful outcome—plus, the ability to access our geospatial data and tools from anywhere has been a game-changer."

Be On the Cutting Edge of GIS Capabilities

See how Blue Raster can help you surpass your competition with customized GIS solutions.

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Answering the Call for More Sustainable Groundwater Management with GRAT

From replenishing and regulating the human body to nurturing and fueling our environments, water is a valuable commodity that we cannot live without. In areas where rainfall can be unreliable, or drought often occurs—such as the western United States—alternative methods must be used to supply water to impacted communities and their agricultural regions. With the frequency of droughts in California, groundwater pumping is a widely-used tactic to combat the scarcity of natural water placement, but in time the groundwater used must be recharged to avoid an imbalance.

That’s why the Groundwater Recharge Assessment Tool (GRAT) was developed in partnership with The Earth Genome and Sustainable Conservation. It’s a valuable decision support tool that enables Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to identify and prioritize potential groundwater replenishment options to achieve sustainable groundwater supplies. This technical tool was originally created for the Madera and Tulare Irrigation Districts and the Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District to help model recharge scenarios across different fields using various recharge types. The goal was to help these districts understand where water is, how it can get to crop fields, and how it can be used to prepare for droughts—all while being more sustainable.

Building Out the Application

With data from the districts and complex, analytical logic provided by The Earth Genome and Sustainable Conservation, Blue Raster was able to help design and develop GRAT using ArcGIS Enterprise and the ArcGIS API for JavaScript. The application allows users from select California water districts to adjust water availability scenarios, recharge types, and specific crops used in the analysis. The application details site locations, fields’ recharge suitability, and impacted crop types, and visually shows on the map sites where water is placed. A series of charts and graphs provide information on groundwater change, recharge by crop, unused water available for recharge, and costs associated with the proposed recharge.

Blue Raster was responsible for preparing the data for use in the application and converting the analysis logic to an interactive mapping application. Our team formatted the datasets provided by the districts to create the crop layer, apply indices that rank and prioritize sites as well as determine suitability, and allow for different scenarios to be run against the GRAT logic.

Looking Towards the Future of GRAT

With GRAT being utilized by other GSAs in California, various water districts have expressed the need for more map-centric, data-visualized applications. In 2022, we helped launch the Turlock Subbasin GRAT for the East and West Turlock Subbasins. Similar in purpose and design to the original GRAT tool, the Turlock Subbasin GRAT also features enhancements related to proposed projects that could impact how water reaches fields and is placed and introduces new recharge types.

With the concentrated efforts of The Earth Genome and Sustainable Conservation, and using the GRAT platform, additional water districts throughout Central California can implement more effective and environmental solutions for groundwater recharge. The Blue Raster team looks forward to partnering with both organizations to help ensure groundwater balance and effective management now and into the future.

Groundwater Recharge Assessment Tool (GRAT)

Interested in Learning More About GRAT?

Contact us to learn more about this application or to discuss how interactive mapping technology can enhance your data.

Esri ArcGIS Cloud Specialty: Elevating our clients’ GIS capabilities to the sky

Blue Raster is thrilled to be a member of the Esri ArcGIS Cloud Services Specialty. This specialty designates Blue Raster as an expert in deploying and managing ArcGIS in cloud environments such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. The Cloud Specialty program is designed to help Esri connect customers with recognized Partners that can best provide ArcGIS cloud solutions. Partners that meet the criteria for this specialty must demonstrate a track record of delivering value to their customers in implementing, managing, and designing cloud infrastructure in the Esri ArcGIS environment.  

Esri Cloud Services Specialty

To attain this specialty, Esri assessed Blue Raster’s expertise in the following areas of ArcGIS Cloud services: cloud deployments, system architecture and design, migrations, and managed services. Our deployments of ArcGIS Enterprise in the cloud include routine monitoring and maintenance to allow us to fine tune the system as needed, ensuring reliability and performance. Our system architecture and design experience encompasses single machine and multi machine architectures in both AWS and Azure that are customized to our clients’ specifications. We support all types of migrations including on-premises to cloud provider migrations, ArcGIS Online to ArcGIS Enterprise, and integration with third party providers.

Our portfolio of managed services includes the utilization of a wealth of Esri products and tools in the ArcGIS family such as ArcGIS Enterprise, Data Store, GIS Server, GeoAnalytics Server, GeoEvent Server, Notebooks, Image Server, Pro, Monitor, and Enterprise Geodatabases. Implementing these tools empowers us to provide a number of managed cloud services to our clients including design consultation, server construction, Esri software installation, infrastructure troubleshooting, distributed systems configuration, geographic redundancy configuration, OS patching, Esri security patching, routine Esri patch deployment, DevOps services, and user training services, among others. Blue Raster is primed and ready to meet our clients’ needs in all areas of the Esri ArcGIS cloud.

ArcGIS Cloud Solutions by Blue Raster

With over 10 years of experience providing ArcGIS Cloud consulting services, Blue Raster is proud to be a trusted resource for a variety of cloud solutions, including: 

    • Cloud ArcGIS Enterprise implementation 
    • Data migration 
    • System architecture and design 
    • Enterprise migration 
    • Security 

We use our cloud expertise to assist a variety of clients with a range of projects. Our dedicated DevOps team supports our cloud projects from requirements gathering through completion. Keep checking our blog posts for our latest projects as we continually grow and evolve our cloud-based service offerings.  

Are you looking to expand your ArcGIS capabilities in the cloud?
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Carbon Benefits Calculator

Most of our daily activities create greenhouse gas emissions which exacerbate climate change. Organizations like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) spearhead efforts to mitigate these negative impacts by funding initiatives that offset emissions and create a greener earth. Blue Raster partnered with NFWF to create a robust Carbon Benefits Calculator. This tool estimates and visualizes the carbon impact of past and planned conservation efforts, restoration, and improved land management activities of NFWF.

NFWF Carbon Benefits Tool

NFWF wanted to innovate and optimize their existing in-house carbon calculator tool that was hosted in Excel. Blue Raster understands the need for a spatially explicit, robust tool that provides real-time calculations and eliminates hard-coded values to improve usability and usefulness. Additionally, this new tool enables NFWF to assess activities in various locations over different time series quickly and easily.

Our team created a web application backed by geoprocessing services in Python scripts. The tool allows a user to upload a spatial polygon for an area of interest to calculate carbon benefits, expanding the previous functionality that only allowed analysis at the county level. These calculations are done with python logic and geoprocessing services that are uploaded to ArcGIS Enterprise. Converting the tool from a spreadsheet-based calculator to a real-time and streamlined web application allowed for faster, easier, and more comparable results.

This tool uses various raster datasets including national land cover and carbon stocks to calculate the different properties and values such as climate, location, size, carbon stock, and land cover of the user submitted area of interest. Then, the tool automatically takes those values from the raster data and calculates the carbon benefits that would result from the selected project. NFWF can use this tool to estimate the carbon benefits of various projects and events such as invasive species clearing, crop and livestock use, thinning, fires, land transformations, over a 30-year period.

Previously, Blue Raster built out the Where We Work web map for NFWF to help illustrate the extensive geographic reach of their mission and impact of their conservation programs. Also, we built a proposal reviewer application and aided in NFWF's ArcGIS Enterprise installation.

We are excited to continue our collaborative efforts and work with a long-time partner by supporting NFWF with the Carbon Benefits Calculator and ongoing conservation efforts.

Ready to find out more?

We are excited to be a part of another non-profit's ongoing conservation and restoration efforts! Contact us today to learn how we can help your organization.

Non_Profit

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