Breaking Down ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0: Are You Ready to Upgrade?

ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0 marks the transition to the next generation of self-hosted web GIS. While there are several exciting new features coming to ArcGIS Enterprise, note that several application development platforms are retiring with this release. It may be worth considering holding off and ensuring all applications are migrated before making the jump.

System Requirements

ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0 supports Windows Server 2019 or later; 11.5 is the last version to support Windows Server 2016. The Web Adaptor component of ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0 requires Microsoft Web Deploy 4.0 and the ASP.NET Core Runtime Windows Hosting Bundle 8.x. Be sure to enable IIS prior to installing, or you will need to repair the bundle installation.

It is also worth noting that Microsoft SQL Server 2017 will no longer be compatible with ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0. Microsoft SQL Server 2019 will now be the minimum compatible version with ArcGIS Enterprise.

Upgrade Highlights

Starting with ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0, users can use service interceptors to extend ArcGIS Enterprise functionality. Previously, users were limited to server object interceptors (SOIs), which attach directly to specific map services and modify service behavior using custom logic. Now, service interceptors can be applied to any request or response for any service type, expanding customization in ArcGIS Enterprise deployments.

There have been several changes to Portal for ArcGIS, including a redesign for item pages, which now use a down arrow to expand options. This design style has already been implemented in ArcGIS Online. ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0 also includes a beta of an Item Details assistant that provides suggestions for field properties for hosted feature layers, views, tables, and ArcGIS Server feature layers.

The jump to ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0 also marks the introduction of ArcGIS Velocity and ArcGIS Data Pipelines as new beta features. Available first in ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Velocity helps users visualize and analyze big data to identify patterns and trends. It also allows users to connect to Internet of Things (IoT) systems and display sensor data. ArcGIS Data Pipelines, previously available only in ArcGIS Online, is a platform that uses a visual flowchart interface to process and transform datasets. Users can connect directly to file shares, cloud storage, data warehouses, URLs, and APIs for data preparation. 

Technical Support and Extended Release

Esri is introducing an update to its support release schedule with ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0. Long-term support releases will be supported for approximately four years, and short-term support releases for approximately one year. ArcGIS Enterprise versions will always be eligible for security patches while in General Availability or Extended Support. 

This change does not impact versions of ArcGIS Enterprise that have already been released. ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5, the most recent long-term release, will receive patches and software updates through its General Availability and Extended Support phases, which conclude in May 2029. Once a version of ArcGIS Enterprise reaches Mature Support, it will no longer receive patches or hotfixes.

While there is currently no official retirement date for ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0, it is expected to remain in general availability until the next ArcGIS Enterprise release. It will remain in extended support for six months, after which it will be officially retired.

Last Chance to Migrate

Several key platforms that have been staples in the ArcGIS Enterprise ecosystem are being retired with version 12.0. These include ArcGIS Web AppBuilder, ArcGIS Configurable Apps, and ArcGIS Map Viewer Classic. It is recommended that users remain on a version still compatible with these platforms so they can replicate their existing applications with the replacement platforms. Web AppBuilder applications should be replaced with the newer Experience Builder platform, while Configurable App functionality can be replaced with Instant Apps. There is no need to migrate Web Maps that currently use Map Viewer Classic, as they will remain compatible with the newer Map Viewer.

Conclusion

While ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0 offers several compelling features that might tempt users to upgrade, it is worth first determining whether any existing applications need to be migrated to the newer platforms. With Web AppBuilder and Configurable Apps retiring, ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5 will be the last version to support both these older platforms and the newer Experience Builder and Instant Apps simultaneously. Once the upgrade to 12.0 is complete, users will no longer be able to open applications built on older platforms.

Contact us if you have any questions or need help with your upgrade.