Making smarter licensing decisions with ArcGIS user type extensions
ArcGIS User types are designed to align with common job responsibilities, making it easier to provide users with the appropriate level of access. However, business requirements don't always fit neatly within the capabilities of a single user type. In these situations, user type extensions can provide a flexible way to add targeted functionality without changing a member's primary role. This article explores how extensions can help bridge capability gaps through a practical ArcGIS Location Sharing example.
Selecting the right user type for each member is an important part of managing an ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise organization. User types are designed around common job responsibilities, helping administrators give members access to the tools they need while maintaining the appropriate level of access.-
However, as workflows evolve, members may sometimes require capabilities that are not included with their assigned user type, without necessarily needing a completely different role.
In these situations, user type extensions can help close that gap by adding specific capabilities without changing a member's primary user type. The following example shows how this works in practice.
A licensing challenge
Imagine an organization with a mix of field staff and office-based employees.-
Field crews use ArcGIS applications throughout the day to support inspections, maintenance activities, or other operational workflows. Meanwhile, administrative staff primarily work from the office, using maps and dashboards to stay informed.-
For many of these office-based members, the Viewer or Contributor user type is an ideal fit. They may not need to create maps, perform advanced analysis, or use desktop GIS tools. Their primary role is to access information and support daily operations.-
As business needs change, the organization decides to implement a location-sharing workflow to improve visibility and coordination. The goal is not only to understand where field staff are working, but also to allow certain office-based personnel to participate in the same location sharing workflow.-
At this point, an administrator discovers that the Location Sharing service is not included by default with the Viewer or Contributor user types.-
While assigning a Mobile Worker user type to all office-based employees might seem like the obvious solution, those members may not need the additional capabilities that come with that role.
Enter the ArcGIS Location Sharing extension
The ArcGIS Location Sharing user type extension is an add-on license that adds location-sharing capabilities to compatible user types, including Viewer and Contributor. Rather than upgrading affected members to Mobile Worker, administrators can apply the extension directly to their existing role, with no change to their primary user type required.-
The benefits of using a user type extension
The ArcGIS Location Sharing extension highlights an important concept within ArcGIS Online licensing: sometimes the right solution is not a different user type, but a user type extension.
When a member needs additional capabilities, it can be tempting to assign a more advanced user type. However, the member's existing user type may still be the best fit for their responsibilities, with a user type extension providing the additional functionality needed to support the workflow.
This approach can help organizations:-
- Maintain simpler licensing structures
- Keep permissions aligned with job responsibilities
- Avoid assigning capabilities members do not need
- Address specific business requirements
- Maximize their ArcGIS Online investment
When evaluating licensing options, it is important to review not only the capabilities included with each user type, but also the extensions available to expand them. The ArcGIS User Types Overview page is a useful starting point. From there, you can select individual user types to view detailed information about the applications, capabilities and available user type extensions associated with that role.-
Reviewing the capabilities included with each user type can help administrators determine whether a user type extension is needed to support a specific workflow.
Note: In the upcoming ArcGIS Online November 2026 update, the ArcGIS Location Sharing user type extension will be discontinued. Location sharing capabilities will instead be included with the Viewer, Contributor, Creator, Professional, Professional Plus and Mobile Worker user types. The example used in this article is intended to illustrate the broader concept of using user type extensions to address specific functionality requirements without changing a member's primary user type.
More information about these licensing changes can be found here:
Location Sharing Licensing Changes in ArcGIS
Key Takeaways
- User types define roles, while user type extensions add capabilities.
- The right solution is not always a different user type.
- User type extensions can help bridge functionality gaps while keeping licensing aligned with a member’s responsibilities.
- Reviewing available user type extensions can help administrators make more informed licensing decisions and get more value from their ArcGIS investment.