Frequently Asked Questions

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What is an enterprise license agreement?

In an enterprise license agreement (ELA) contract, a customer agrees to make annual payments to Esri for a three-year period in exchange for software, maintenance, services, and training. Typically, ELAs are executed as site licenses that permit deployment of unlimited quantities of selected Esri products over the term of the agreement.

What makes the Small Utility ELA program unique?

Esri offers a program targeted specifically for small utilities including electric, gas, and water. This allows unlimited deployments of Esri ArcGIS software throughout the organization. The program provides access to the GIS technology that small utilities need with a straightforward three-tiered pricing schedule.

The ELA program for small utilities is intended to eliminate budgetary constraints that might hinder them from getting access to GIS technologies.

Which organizations are eligible for the Small Utility ELA?

The program is open to small utilities in the United States with meter counts of 100,000 or less.

Esri has designated a three-tiered system for municipalities and counties based on meter count. One tier is for utilities with fewer than 10,000 meters; another covers utilities with 10,001 to 50,000 meters; and the third level is for utilities with 50,001 to 100,000 meters.

What are the benefits?

The ELA program offers a lower cost per unit and provides many benefits including

• The capacity to deploy unlimited quantities of core Esri products, which eliminates the time-consuming process of justifying each GIS software purchase
• Reduced administrative costs, because ELAs generally require only one payment per year, resulting in substantially lower procurement expenses (Additionally, administrative costs can shrink as a result of centralized coordination and management of software distribution, support, services, and training.)
• The ability to capitalize a greater part of your GIS investment by reducing short-term GIS operating expenses
• Access to updated versions of GIS software for a consistent platform
• Flexible deployments to desktops, servers, and mobile devices
• Opportunities to consolidate GIS and IT initiatives, establish internal standards, and integrate Esri business partner solutions
• The means to incorporate GIS into mission-critical applications and workflows

What software products are included in the ELA?

Esri’s ArcGIS software is the core technology for the ELA. ArcGIS is an open and interoperable technology platform that provides advanced visualization and cartographic capabilities, spatial analysis, and geographic data management. It is a complete system to author, serve, and use geographic information and serves analysts, decision makers, field staff, and the public through mobile, Web, and desktop clients. The ELA includes

• ArcGIS Desktop software—ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView
• ArcGIS Desktop extensions—3D Analyst, Spatial Analyst, Geostatistical Analyst, ArcScan for ArcGIS, ArcGIS Publisher, Maplex for ArcGIS, Network Analyst, ArcGIS Schematics, and Job Tracking for ArcGIS (JTX)
• ArcGIS server-based software—ArcGIS Server (Advanced, Standard, Basic; Workgroup, Enterprise)
• ArcIMS
• ArcGIS Server extensions—3D, Schematics, Geostatistical, Job Tracking for ArcGIS Server, Network, and Spatial
• ArcGIS Engine Runtime deployments
• ArcGIS Engine Runtime extensions—3D, Spatial, Geodatabase Update, Network, Schematics, and Maplex

How are upgrades and patches delivered?

During the three-year agreement, maintenance is included on the unlimited licenses.

Is the Esri Developer Network included in the ELA for small utilities?

Yes. Esri Developer Network (EDN) offers a suite of component-based development frameworks that helps you rapidly build industry-specific GIS applications. These applications can be delivered on the desktop, client, Web, or server tier and embedded in both new and existing applications. EDN includes

• ArcGIS Server—A comprehensive Web-based GIS
• ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit—Components for creating custom desktop GIS applications
• ArcGIS Server Image Extension—Dynamic imagery distribution
• ArcIMS—Geopublishing on the Internet
• ArcReader—Desktop map viewer

What else is included in the Small Utility ELA program?

For meters less than 10,000

• Credit for Esri Virtual Campus (applies to all standard classes)
• One seat in the Working with Geometric Networks for Utilities class
• One copy of the book Empowering Electric and Gas Utilities with GIS
• One copy of the Esri Map Book, Vol. 23
• Technical support for two named callers
• One complimentary Esri International User Conference registration
• Five percent discount for instructor-led training

For meters 10,001 to 50,000

• Credit for Esri Virtual Campus (applies to all standard classes)
• One seat in the Working with Geometric Networks for Utilities class
• Two copies of the book Empowering Electric and Gas Utilities with GIS
• One copy of the Esri Map Book, Vol. 23
• Technical support for three named callers
• Two complimentary Esri International User Conference registrations
• Five percent discount for instructor-led training

For meters 50,001 to 100,000

• Credit for Esri Virtual Campus (applies to all standard classes)
• One seat in the Working with Geometric Networks for Utilities class
• Three copies of the book Empowering Electric and Gas Utilities with GIS
• One copy of the Esri Map Book, Vol. 23
• Technical support for four named callers
• Three complimentary Esri International User Conference registrations
• Five percent discount for instructor-led training

How is technical support handled within an ELA?

Esri Support Services is dedicated to providing timely and expert assistance to Esri software users within the United States. Esri will include specific technical support callers within each ELA.

Areas of support include problems, questions, or comments in the following areas:

• Software installation and configuration
• Functional use of the software
• Interfacing the applications with your hardware or other peripheral devices
• Requesting product enhancements or reporting software defects

I am not currently an Esri customer. Is my organization eligible for this ELA program?

Yes, the program is designed to help all small utilities deploy GIS technology.

How do I purchase an ELA?

For more information or to order, call us at 1-800-447-9778, extension 2990; send an e-mail to smallutilitygis@esri.com; or contact the Esri U.S. office in your area.