You can prepare GIS content to make it easier to share in the following ways:
Create a package for sharing. You share a package file like any other file—via e-mail, FTP, the cloud, thumb drives, and so on. You can share package files between colleagues, between departments in an organization, or with other ArcGIS users via ArcGIS Online. In some cases you can also add it to an ArcGIS Runtime app. Types of packages include the following:
- A layer package (.lpk) includes both the layer properties and the dataset referenced by the layer. With a layer package, you can save and share everything about the layer—its symbolization, labeling, table properties, and the data.
- A map package (.mpk) contains a map document (.mxd); all the data referenced by the layers it contains; and other map items such as graphics, layouts, and so on. Essentially, it's a collection of layer packages along with the map document.
- A locator package (.gcpk) contains one address locator or a composite locator along with its participating locators.
- A tile package (.tpk) contains a tile cache of data that you can display as a basemap with ArcGIS Runtime applications.
- A geoprocessing package (.gpk) is how you share your geoprocessing workflows.
If the recipient of the package is an ArcMap user, the user unpacks it by dragging and dropping it onto ArcMap; the user can immediately use its contents.
ArcGIS Runtime apps (native apps such as apps for iPhones, Android phones, desktops, and so on) can use tile packages through the local tiled layer class. ArcGIS Runtime SDKs with Local Server—ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Java, .NET (Desktop), and Qt—can use map packages and geoprocessing packages as well.
Create a folder that can be used in ArcGIS Runtime apps. For details on creating this folder and consuming the folder in an app, see Create ArcGIS Runtime content.
In ArcGIS Runtime apps, packages and ArcGIS Runtime content don't require a network connection, so they're often used in offline workflows.