ArcGIS Online network analysis services allow you to solve the kinds of problems the ArcGIS Network Analyst extension allows you to solve—route, closest facility, service area, location-allocation, and the vehicle routing problem—and let you view historical, live, and predicted traffic conditions, but without the need to create or purchase a network dataset. The services reference high-quality street data that road data that covers much of the world and provides dynamic traffic speeds in many of those areas so your analyses can account for changing traffic speeds. ArcGIS Online network analysis services are widely available—all you need to access them are an Internet connection and the proper credentials—which may make it unnecessary for you to set up network services on your own instance of ArcGIS for Server. The services are intended to simplify the workflows of developers and GIS professionals.
The network analysis services operate under a credit-based usage model that offers a low barrier to entry and allows you to pay only for what you use.
Getting started with the ArcGIS Online network analysis services
Whether you want to use network analysis services within ArcGIS for Desktop or consume them in applications you develop, you will need an ArcGIS Online organizational subscription. You can purchase a subscription or request a free trial. Your subscription comes with credits and the option to purchase more as needed. The services charge credits each time they run. The amount charged depends on the type, size, and complexity of the problems you solve using the network analysis services or other credit-based ArcGIS Online services.
Developers
The best place to get started as a developer is in the network analysis services section of the REST API help system.
ArcGIS for Desktop users
As a GIS professional, you can get started by opening ArcMap and using an Esri account that is associated with your organizational subscription to connect to an ArcGIS Online server. You can learn how to make a connection by reading Connecting ArcMap to ArcGIS Online network analysis services.
Once connected, read the following topics to learn how to use ArcMap to consume the services:
- Consuming the traffic service using ArcMap—To view traffic conditions in ArcMap
- Consuming the route service using ArcMap—To generate shortest routes and directions
- Consuming the logistics services using ArcMap—To find closest facilities, generate service areas, generate routes and directions, and solve location-allocation and vehicle routing problems