Getting Technical - July 2025
When is the 2025 Esri Canada Federal GIS Conference? How does GeoAI enhance utility operations? How can you remove the background of raster imagery in ArcGIS Pro? How does GIS deliver your return on investment? What is the best way to generate existing metrics for use in ArcGIS Urban? Get answers to all these questions and more in this month’s edition of Getting Technical. Read it now.
Must Reads
The Esri Canada User Conference is Back – Register Now!
November 3–4, 2025 | Toronto, Ontario
The Esri Canada User Conference is returning to Toronto and we can't wait to see you again! We hope you will make plans to join us at this national event!
Register today for the Esri Canada User Conference
Esri Canada Federal GIS Conference
October 7, 2025 | Ottawa, Ontario
Make plans to join us at this exclusive event that explores how the federal government is using the geographic approach to derive powerful insights and make data-driven decisions for all Canadians.
Blogs
GeoAI empowers utilities: A smarter future for infrastructure management
GeoAI-powered detection of water main breaks and pipe failures in ArcGIS Pro means faster insights and smarter response time. Source:-Kitchener GeoHub
Esri ArcGIS empowers Utilities model and manage infrastructure with a real-world, detailed view of their assets. With GeoAI, you can automate tasks, boost efficiency and make smarter data-driven decisions.
The Executive Case for GIS in AEC: Unlocking ROI & Long-Term Value 
Unifying GIS and BIM to transform workflows and build a better future.
With the technical foundation of Esri and Autodesk integration-established-in our last post, organizations must now consider the business impact of these technologies. Beyond operational benefits, GIS delivers measurable financial value, improves risk-management-and positions firms for long-term success. In this final installment of our blog series, we will examine the executive perspective on GIS adoption, focusing on its return on investment (ROI) and strategic advantages for AEC and Environmental firms.
View all additional blogs on the Esri Canada Blog site.
Videos
How to Remove Background of Raster Imagery in ArcGIS Pro
Have you ever wondered how to remove the black background of raster imagery in ArcGIS Pro? In this video, we’ll guide you through the process using symbology and geoprocessing tools.
Making Popups More Accessible in Map Viewer
Did you know that accessible popups ensure that all users can fully interact and understand the data you are sharing? In this video, we show you how to get the most out of your web map and pop-up.
Generating Existing Metrics for Use in ArcGIS Urban Part 1: Population
When using ArcGIS Urban, existing metrics data, or data representing existing conditions, is crucial for modeling future growth. One of the most useful metrics is population; however, many organizations do not have this data available at a per parcel level. In this video, we explore how to quickly create a dataset to support this process in ArcGIS Pro.
Generating Existing Metrics for Use in ArcGIS Urban Part 2: Household Units When using ArcGIS Urban, existing metrics data (data representing existing conditions) is crucial to modeling future growth. One of the most useful metrics is household units. However, many organizations do not have this data available at a per parcel level. In this video, we explore how to quickly create a dataset to serve this purpose in ArcGIS Pro.
Stay up-to-date on all of our GeoSnaps by visiting the YouTube playlist.
Training
Mapping and Visualizing Data in ArcGIS
Create high-impact maps and information products
Learn cartographic techniques and ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online workflows that will allow you to create and share a variety of professional-quality information products, including print maps, web maps, 3D scenes, animations and charts.
Esri Canada Seminars & Webinars
Connected Minds: Harnessing Collaborations in ArcGIS
August 21, 2025 
In this webinar, you'll learn how to leverage the collaborative features of ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise to enhance teamwork and data sharing across organizations. Participants will gain insights into best practices for coordinating efforts across teams and organizations, maximizing the platform’s collaborative capabilities. Join us to discover how connected collaboration can drive better decision-making and project success in a distributed environment.
Missed last month’s recording? No problem, check out the recordings: View recorded seminars | View recorded webinars
Service Packs, Patches & Product Support Updates
Esri Support App
Download the Esri Support App to subscribe to important product updates and bug-related notifications. Also, try its newest feature—scan and solve error messages. You can also take advantage of Esri’s in-app generative AI chatbot to answer some of your questions. This Esri Support AI Chatbot can also be accessed on the Esri Support website.
ArcGIS Trust Center
Visit the ArcGIS Trust Center for critical security announcements and updates to privacy and compliance information.
Migrating from ArcGIS Engine
ArcGIS Engine is scheduled for retirement on March 1, 2026. In this post, we delve into deprecation specifics, the impending retirement of ArcGIS Engine, strategies for planning your migration and an introduction to one of the key migration routes leveraging ArcGIS Maps SDKs for Native Apps.
ArcGIS and the Impact of MFA Enforcement in Snowflake
Announcing the Deprecation of ArcGIS Maps SDK for Local Server
Retiring Apps & Features
Below you’ll find more information about the upcoming retirement of several apps and features included in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise.
ArcGIS GeoPlanner Retirement Is Coming Up
In March 2024, Esri announced that ArcGIS GeoPlanner would be phased out as many of the features in GeoPlanner are now available in other ArcGIS Applications. As a reminder, the final release of ArcGIS GeoPlanner for ArcGIS Online was in June 2024 and the final release of GeoPlanner for ArcGIS Enterprise was in November 2023 (version 11.2).
Please note the following upcoming retirement date:-
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For ArcGIS Online customers: ArcGIS GeoPlanner retired on July 1, 2025.-
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For ArcGIS Enterprise customers: Retirement, following the ArcGIS Enterprise 11.2 product life cycle as documented on the support site, is December 1, 2026-
If you are a GeoPlanner user, we encourage you to transition your workflows to capabilities available across the ArcGIS ecosystem. To assist you in this transition, we have created a set of migration resources:
- Build unique models and experiences to explore your world
- Defining scenarios and design alternatives using ArcGIS Arcade
- Creating KPIs using ArcGIS Arcade, ArcGIS Dashboards, and ArcGIS Experience Builder
Map Viewer Classic Is Planned to Retire in Q1 2026
Map Viewer Classic will be removed from ArcGIS Online upon retirement and can no longer be accessed. For more information, read the retirement announcement as well as the Map Viewer Classic Roadmap for Retirement blog.
ArcGIS Configurable Apps Is Planned to Retire in Q1 2026
To provide users with more time to migrate their applications, the retirement date for Configurable Apps has been extended to Q1 2026. Apps built using Configurable Apps will no longer be accessible upon retirement. For more information, read the retirement announcement.
ArcGIS Web AppBuilder Is Planned to Retire in Q1 2026
You will not be able to create new apps or edit existing apps using ArcGIS Web AppBuilder after retirement. Apps will continue to work after retirement. However, we recommend you migrate your apps to ArcGIS Experience Builder as updates to browsers could introduce functional or security issues which will not be addressed by Esri. For more information, read the retirement announcement.
Classic Esri Story Maps Is Planned to Retire in Q1 2026
To provide you with more time to migrate classic Esri Story Maps, the retirement date has been extended to Q1 2026. At that time, classic Esri Story Maps will be removed from ArcGIS Online, and any stories created with classic Esri Story Maps will no longer be available. For more information, read the retirement announcement and review the Classic Esri Story Maps Roadmap for Retirement blog.
View all service packs and patches