# ArcGIS Online

> cloud-based product by ESRI providing a instance of a web mapping platform

**Wikidata**: [Q124101822](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124101822)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arcgis-online

## Summary
ArcGIS Online (AGOL) is a cloud-based web mapping platform developed by Esri, a leading geospatial software company. It provides tools for creating, sharing, and managing location-based data and maps, serving as a core component of Esri's software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings. As proprietary software, it requires a license for use and is part of Esri's broader ecosystem of geographic information system (GIS) solutions.

## Key Facts
- **Developed by**: Esri, a U.S.-based company founded in 1969 with headquarters in Redlands, California.
- **Classification**: Proprietary software (SIC code 7372), Web GIS, and digitized map collection.
- **Aliases**: Commonly abbreviated as AGOL.
- **Platform**: Hosted web mapping service accessible via [https://www.arcgis.com](https://www.arcgis.com).
- **Integration**: Compatible with tools like GFW MapBuilder for custom web application development.
- **Ownership**: Fully owned and maintained by Esri, which employs approximately 4,000 people as of 2023.
- **Documentation**: Official resources available at [https://doc.arcgis.com](https://doc.arcgis.com).

## FAQs
### Q: What company develops ArcGIS Online?
A: ArcGIS Online is developed by Esri, a U.S.-based geospatial software and SaaS company founded in 1969.

### Q: Is ArcGIS Online free to use?
A: No, ArcGIS Online is proprietary software requiring a license for access, though Esri offers free trials and public-facing maps may be shared openly.

### Q: What is ArcGIS Online primarily used for?
A: It is used for creating, sharing, and collaborating on web-based maps, spatial data analysis, and geospatial application development.

## Why It Matters
ArcGIS Online is a foundational platform for modern web mapping, enabling organizations to visualize and analyze geographic data collaboratively in the cloud. As part of Esri’s ecosystem—the industry standard for GIS—it democratizes access to geospatial tools, supporting applications ranging from urban planning to environmental conservation. Its integration with other Esri products (e.g., ArcGIS Desktop) and third-party libraries (e.g., GFW MapBuilder) ensures versatility, while its cloud infrastructure allows scalable, real-time data sharing. This platform has transformed how businesses, governments, and researchers interact with location-based intelligence, driving data-driven decision-making across disciplines.

## Notable For
- **Proprietary Leadership**: A flagship SaaS product from Esri, the dominant vendor in commercial GIS software.
- **Cloud-Native GIS**: One of the earliest and most widely adopted web-based GIS platforms, emphasizing collaboration and accessibility.
- **Customizability**: Supports integration with specialized tools like GFW MapBuilder for tailored applications (e.g., forest monitoring).
- **Enterprise Reliability**: Backed by Esri’s 50+ years of industry experience and used by over 400,000 organizations globally.

## Body
### Development and Ownership
ArcGIS Online is designed, hosted, and maintained by Esri, a company founded in 1969 and headquartered in Redlands, California. Esri employs approximately 4,000 people as of 2023 and operates within the software-as-a-service (SaaS) and prepackaged software industries (SIC code 7372).

### Technical Specifications
- **Platform Type**: Cloud-based web mapping service and GIS platform.
- **Key Features**: 
  - Secure data storage and sharing.
  - Tools for map creation, spatial analysis, and application development.
  - Integration with Esri’s ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World for curated geospatial content.
- **Compatibility**: Functions as a web application and supports integration with libraries like GFW MapBuilder for custom solutions.

### Applications and Integration
ArcGIS Online is widely used for:
- **Environmental Monitoring**: Powers platforms like the Global Forest Watch (GFW) MapBuilder for tracking deforestation.
- **Urban Planning**: Enables municipalities to visualize infrastructure projects and demographic data.
- **Education and Research**: Provides accessible GIS tools for academic and public-sector projects.

### Licensing and Access
As proprietary software, access requires a subscription or license. Esri offers tiered pricing models, including options for organizational accounts and individual developers. Free public accounts are available for basic mapping and viewing shared content.

### Documentation and Support
Official documentation and tutorials are available at [https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online](https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online), with additional resources provided through Esri’s community forums and training programs.