ArcGIS Online is the SaaS version of Esri’s powerful geographic information system (GIS) product range, allowing teams to create, analyze, and share spatial data in the cloud. Monitoring ArcGIS Online usage is critical as organizations transition from legacy concurrent licensing to named-user models, a shift driven by the upcoming retirement of ArcGIS Desktop in 2026.
OpenLM helps monitor this transition by providing a unified view of both cloud and on-premise assets. By tracking actual usage rather than just assignment, OpenLM enables organizations to reclaim unused licenses and right-size their subscriptions during the migration to ArcGIS Pro.
ArcGIS Online is a cloud-based mapping and analysis solution that serves as the core of Esri’s geospatial cloud. Unlike traditional desktop software that relies on local installations and license servers, ArcGIS Online uses an identity-based system where “Named User” subscriptions are assigned to specific individuals, granting them access to apps and data from any device.
The primary licensing model for ArcGIS Online is the Named User schema, which assigns licenses to specific members based on “User Types” (e.g., Creator, Professional, GIS Professional). This contrasts with the legacy Concurrent Use (floating) model used by ArcGIS Desktop, which allowed multiple users to share a pool of licenses.
With the retirement of ArcGIS Desktop scheduled for March 2026, organizations are forced to migrate to the named-user model. The main optimization challenge here is preventing “shelfware”—where expensive licenses are assigned to users who rarely or never log in—and ensuring the correct User Type is assigned based on actual need rather than estimated requirements.
OpenLM provides a comprehensive solution for managing the hybrid environment of legacy ArcGIS Desktop and modern ArcGIS Online licenses. It connects directly to the ArcGIS Online API to retrieve usage data, allowing administrators to optimize their license inventory during and after the migration process.
| OpenLM capability | Value for ArcGIS Online licenses |
| Hybrid environment monitoring | Manage ArcGIS Online (cloud) and legacy ArcGIS Desktop (on-premise) licenses in a single dashboard to simplify the migration process. |
| Shelfware identification | Detect assigned users who have not logged in or used their entitlements, allowing you to reallocate or cancel unnecessary subscriptions. |
| Migration planning | Analyze historical usage of ArcGIS Desktop to accurately forecast the number and type of ArcGIS Pro/Online licenses needed before the 2026 retirement deadline. |
| Cost allocation | Map usage to specific projects or departments (Chargeback), creating transparency and accountability for GIS spending. |
OpenLM offers distinct advantages for Esri customers by bridging the gap between old and new licensing models. As Esri retires ArcGIS Desktop, OpenLM’s ability to monitor hybrid situations—mixing online named users with offline concurrent floaters—ensures no visibility gaps occur during the transition.
Furthermore, OpenLM supports “Right-sizing” efforts by providing granular data on actual application usage. Instead of blindly purchasing expensive “Professional” User Types for everyone, IT managers can use OpenLM data to identify users who only need “Viewer” or “Editor” capabilities, significantly reducing total cost of ownership. By detecting idle sessions and enforcing license harvesting policies, OpenLM ensures that your ArcGIS investment is strictly focused on active geospatial work.
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