With the ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0 release (expected later in 2025) we are updating the licensing of branch versioning capabilities through the ArcGIS Advanced Editing User Type Extension (AE UTE). The update will provide support for creating, editing, and managing a branch version without the need for the AE UTE, when working with simple data. More advanced version management service operations such as reconcile and post will continue to require the AE UTE. The AE UTE will also still be required when working with more advanced data and capabilities in branch versions such as utility networks, trace networks, parcel fabrics, geodatabase topologies, dimensions, and batch attribute rules. Since this is a significant update that will benefit many users, the update is also available now in patches for ArcGIS Enterprise 11.3 and 11.5. Downloads for the ArcGIS Server Branch Versioning License patch can be found here.
The AE UTE was introduced with ArcGIS Enterprise 11.2 (Q4 2023). It was designed to combine the existing UTEs for the utility network, trace network and parcel fabric, as well as to provide a mechanism for providing access to additional advanced geodatabase capabilities. More information can be found in this introductory blog and the Portal for ArcGIS documentation on licensing user type extensions.
What does the AE UTE cover?
I’m frequently asked for the specific capabilities the AE UTE enables. The introductory blog covers the information at a high level and additional details are covered for the current release in the ArcGIS Enterprise Functionality Matrix (page 12 for ArcGIS Enterprise Geodatabase Capabilities). For branch versioning, the capabilities are exposed though the Version Management Service and information on licensing can also be found in the online help for the service.
For ArcGIS Enterprise 12.0, as well as for ArcGIS Enterprise 11.3 and 11.5 when the ArcGIS Server Branch Versioning License patch is applied, the Enterprise functionality matrix for geodatabase capabilities will look like this:
The updates are highlighted in the red boxes. Prior to the update the circles in the red boxes were all hollow, meaning the AE UTE would have been required for those named users and capabilities. As previously noted, these updates apply solely to editing simple features. The AE UTE will continue to be required when editing with utility networks, trace networks, parcel fabrics, geodatabase topologies, dimensions, and batch attribute rules.
For other scenarios, hopefully the following Q&A helps:
Q: I want to set up a web application to allow updating the attributes of features in my parcel fabric. Do the users need the AE UTE?
A: Yes. The AE UTE is required when editing features in a parcel fabric (or the other specified data types) regardless of whether the updates are to the geometry or attributes of that feature.
Q: When the AE UTE is available with ArcGIS Online will I be able to assign the UTE to named users in Online that need access to our Enterprise based utility network?
A: No. While the AE UTE will become available with ArcGIS Online next year, it will apply only to users that are working with data stored in ArcGIS Online. To work with utility network data and services from ArcGIS Enterprise, users will need to have a named user login for ArcGIS Enterprise that includes the AE UTE.
Q: I need to edit point, line, and polygon features through a web application, and they have calculate and constraint attribute rules assigned to the feature classes. Do I need the AE UTE provisioned to my named user?
A: No. The AE UTE is not required when editing simple features (points, lines, and polygons) with immediate (calculate and constraint) attribute rules. The AE UTE is required to execute deferred (validation and batch calculation) attribute rules.
Q: I want to run traces and view network diagrams from my trace network. Do I need the AE UTE?
A; No. The AE UTE is not required when doing view, query, and trace operations against a trace or utility network. Beginning with the ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5 release, we also support viewing existing network diagrams without the AE UTE.
Q: I want to take my utility network offline for editing through Field Maps. Do my workers in the field need the AE UTE?
A: Yes. The AE UTE is required for editing utility network data regardless of where the editing is performed.
Q: I want to take my simple features with branch versioning offline for editing in Field Maps, do I need the AE UTE?
A: No. As long as you are working with simple features (points, lines, and polygons), the AE UTE is not required to take data offline, edit it, and sync the updates back. Keep in mind that if you are working with data from ArcGIS Enterprise 11.3 or 11.5, you will need to apply the ArcGIS Server Branch Versioning Licensing Patch. If you are working with ArcGIS Enterprise 11.4, you will need to upgrade to ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5 or later.
Q: I want to use ArcGIS Web Editor with branch versioning to edit my data. Is the server patch all i need to allow me to edit simple data without the AE UTE?
A: No. ArcGIS Web Editor includes checks for the AE UTE within the application, and therefore an additional patch is needed. Later this year we will make a patch available to update Web Editor and once that is applied, along with the ArcGIS Server Branch Versioning Licensing Patch, it will be possible to create versions and edit simple features within those versions without the AE UTE.
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