Skip to main content

Feature Layer (new)

The Feature Layer (new) output in ArcGIS Velocity allows you to write output features to a new ArcGIS feature layer. When writing to this output type, either a spatiotemporal feature layer and map image layer or an ArcGIS Enterprise hosted feature layer is created. Once the layer or layers are created, they are available for use in Enterprise and your Enterprise organization, where they can be added to maps, applications, and more.

Feature layers created by Velocity have key differences from other Enterprise hosted feature layers, including the following:

  • The associated data is stored in a spatiotemporal feature layer. As a result, the corresponding map image layer provides dynamic rendering and on-the-fly aggregation.

  • A data retention policy must be defined for deleting older data from the feature layer. Data retention options can be set to 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. Any feature layer with data that grows over time requires a value be specified in the Data retention (time period for retaining data) parameter. For example, if the Data storage method parameter is set to Add all new features and each time the analytic is run, you enable the Keep existing features and schema option, you must set the data retention option.

    Learn more about data retention

  • Older data can be exported to a feature layer archive before being deleted using the Data retention (time period for retaining data) parameter. Data exported to the feature layer archive is maintained for one year from the date of the export. To ensure data is exported to the feature layer archive, choose the Keep existing features and schema option every time the analytic runs. Specify the data retention options, and ensure you choose the Export data option under Data export (feature layer archive).

Examples

The following are example use cases for the output:

  • After ingesting event data from IoT sensors in a feed and a real-time analytic, you want to store the features in a new feature layer.

  • You have configured a feed in a real-time analytic to process events as they occur. You only want to store the latest state of your features as identified by the track ID in a new feature layer.

Usage notes

Keep the following in mind when working with the output:

  • If you enable the Keep existing features and schema option each time the analytic is run, the features written to the new output feature layer must maintain a consistent schema.

  • The new feature layer and map image layer created by the output do not appear until the analytic is started and has successfully generated the output.

  • A data retention strategy must be specified in the Data retention (time period for retaining data) parameter. The Data retention (time period for retaining data) and Data export (feature layer archive) options do not apply if you enable the Replace existing features and schema option each time the analytic is run.

  • If the Data storage method parameter is set to Keep only latest feature for each Track ID value, a track observation that is updated only has the editor user and date updated after the first observation.

Note:

  • The spatiotemporal feature layer name must be unique within an organization.

  • In Velocity, the spatiotemporal feature layer name must be different from the feed and stream layer names. If there is a duplicate name, you cannot create a real-time analytic in Velocity. This only applies to Velocity feature layer outputs; it does not apply to ArcGIS Enterprise hosted feature layers.

Parameters

The following are the parameters for the output:

Parameter

Description

Data type

Feature layer name

The name of the new feature layer.

String

Store data in spatiotemporal feature layer

After configuring source connection parameters, define the schema and the key parameters.

If this parameter is unchecked (false), data will be written to a hosted feature layer in your organization.

Learn more about considerations and limitations

Boolean

Data storage method

Specifies whether all new features are added to the feature layer or existing features are updated. Options include the following:

  • Add all new features—All new features are added to the feature layer.

  • Keep only latest feature for each Track ID value—Only the latest feature for each unique track ID is kept. If chosen, the output data schema should have a Track ID value and Start Time key fields identified.

Note:

If Keep latest feature is chosen, the value is true.

Boolean

Each time the analytic runs

Specifies how existing data in the feature layer is dealt with each time the analytic is started. Options include the following:

  • Keep existing features and schema—Each time the real-time analytic is started, existing features and schema are maintained. The new feature is appended to the existing data.

  • Replace existing features and schema—Each time the analytic is started, the features and schema present in the feature layer are discarded and new features and schema are written.

Note:

If Replace existing features and schema is chosen, the value is true.

Boolean

Aggregation styles

Specifies the bin styles for dynamic aggregation of the data. The bin styles are populated by default and can be modified. Bin styles can be defined for more spatial references or projections.

This parameter is only applicable when data is stored in a spatiotemporal feature layer.

Geohashes

Editor tracking

Editor tracking sets the username and date when feature records are created or updated in the output feature layer. Check the Editor tracking check box on the output feature layer.

Checking this parameter appends the created_date, created_user, last_edited_date, and last_edited_user fields to the feature layer schema.

This parameter is only applicable when data is stored in a spatiotemporal feature layer.

Boolean

Creator and editor username

Specifies the creator or editor username for processed data. The username can be derived from a field of the incoming data or set as the username of the analytic owner.

The Creator and editor username parameter does not apply if the Editor tracking parameter has been turned off.

Learn more about usage notes

This parameter is only applicable when data is stored in a spatiotemporal feature layer.

String

Feature Service Portal Item ID

The portal item ID of the corresponding feature layer item created in Enterprise.

This parameter is not displayed when configuring the output and cannot be populated or modified. It is automatically populated by ArcGIS Velocity.

String

Map Service Portal Item ID

The portal item ID of the corresponding map layer item created in Enterprise.

This parameter is only applicable when data is stored in a spatiotemporal feature layer.

String

Data retention (time period for retaining data)

Specifies the data retention strategy, or time period after which older data is deleted from the feature layer.

Options include the following: 1 hour 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year.

Learn more about usage notes

This parameter is only applicable when data is stored in a spatiotemporal feature layer.

String

Data export (feature layer archive)

Specifies whether purged data is exported to a feature layer archive before being purged. Options include the following: Do not export data and Export data.

Data exported to the feature layer archive is maintained for one year from the date of the export. The Data retention (time period for retaining data) parameter does not apply if the Replace existing features and schema option is chosen.

This parameter is only applicable when data is stored in a spatiotemporal feature layer.

String

Additional logging

(optional)

Specifies whether logging for raw requests issued by Velocity is turned on. The default is False.

Note:

Only turn on this parameter for troubleshooting purposes and turn it off when troubleshooting is complete. Contact Esri Technical Support for help with troubleshooting.

Boolean

Considerations and limitations

Consider the following when using the output:

  • If you choose the Keep existing features and schema option, each time the analytic is run, the features written to the new output feature layer should maintain a consistent schema.

  • The feature layer (and map image layer) portal items associated with the Feature Layer (new) output must be owned by the creator for Velocity to write to the output. To change ownership of an item, reconfigure the analytic to write to an existing feature layer using the Feature Layer (existing) output.

When a feature layer is hosted in a spatiotemporal data store

If the Store data in spatiotemporal feature layer parameter is checked, a hosted feature layer is created in Velocity 's spatiotemporal data store. Feature layers hosted by Velocity cannot be shared publicly.

When a feature layer is not hosted in a spatiotemporal data store

If the Store data in spatiotemporal feature layer parameter is unchecked, a hosted feature layer is created in ArcGIS Enterprise. Consider the following when using this output:

  • If you choose the Replace existing features and schema option, each time the analytic runs, the existing feature layer is replaced. If the feature layer has associated hosted feature layer views, the analytic returns an error message in the logs. All associated views must be deleted and removed from the recycle bin before restarting the analytic.