Geotab Data to Esri: Three Methods
Support Document
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The following document provides an overview of the three methods a customer can use to bring Geotab data into their Esri environment.
August 2025
Introduction
The following document provides an overview of the three methods a customer can use to bring Geotab data into their Esri environment. The primary method is through the Geotab API, while the remaining two options are provided and maintained by Esri.
Method A: Geotab SDK
Use the following steps to get vehicle GPS lat/lon points into ArcGIS Online. This method requires consideration for transforming, calling and polling of the data, however the Geoevent Server/Velocity methods will do this on your behalf.
Deployment
1 | Set up the API call in a program/language of your choosing:
✱ NOTE: For constant polling, we recommend polling for data at 30-second intervals. However, we understand that 30 seconds may be too infrequent for the rate of data generated by some vehicles, so we created rate limits. A rate limit of 1 request-per-second is applied to GetFeed requests for each supported entity type. ✱ NOTE: For constant polling/updating of location, add a sleep function to the loop that makes the GetFeed call. ✱ NOTE: LogRecords can also be paired with ExceptionEvents, in the event you want to obtain specific logs when a vehicle is within a zone, for example. |
2 | Send call results to middleware (PostGIS, etc.) to transform the data into a consumable format for ArcGIS Online (or other Esri server). ✱ NOTE: The data output from the call will be in JSON format. In the middleware, this could be transformed to another format such as, GeoJSON to be consumable by ArcGIS Online (or other Esri server). |
3 | Create a connection between ArcGIS Online (or other Esri server) and the middleware software of your choice. |
Method B: Esri GeoEvent Server
The Esri GeoEvent server integration with MyGeotab is created, maintained and supported by Esri.
Overview
Deployment: GeoEvent Server is typically deployed on-premises or within a private cloud. It is an extension of ArcGIS Enterprise.
Integration: Works closely with ArcGIS Enterprise to ingest, analyze, and visualize real-time data.
Customization: Users can create custom connectors and processors within the GeoEvent Server environment to tailor the system to specific needs.
Features
Real-time Data Feeds: Capable of ingesting data from a variety of real-time sources like IoT devices, sensors, and social media.
Data Processing: Offers tools to filter, process, and analyze incoming real-time data streams.
Alerts and Notifications: Can be configured to trigger alerts or notifications based on predefined conditions.
Spatial Analytics: Provides real-time spatial analytics capabilities, including complex event processing.
Deployment
Geotab Connector for GeoEvent Server
Method C: Esri Velocity
The Esri Velocity integration with MyGeotab is created, maintained, and supported by Esri.
Overview
Deployment: Velocity is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) product, designed to be used within ArcGIS Online.
Scalability: As a cloud-native solution, it is highly scalable and can manage large volumes of data without the need for infrastructure management.
Features
Real-time Data Feeds: Similar to GeoEvent Server, it can ingest data from a multitude of sources.
Cloud-Native: Built to run in the cloud, providing scalability and ease of use without needing local infrastructure.
Big Data Analytics: Capable of handling and processing massive amounts of data in real time.
Integration with ArcGIS Online: Seamless integration with ArcGIS Online for visualization and further analysis.
Deployment
1 | To configure Geotab data in Velocity, enter your MyGeotab database URL, then your username and password as follows. |
2 | When setting up the connection within Velocity, apply the following settings within the Advanced Settings section: |
3 | Select the HTTP Method as POST. |
4 | Select POST Body and raw JSON. |
5 | Paste in an authenticate and Get call with valid credentials and with valid parameters, such as: { "method": "Get", "params": { "typeName": "LogRecord", "search": { "fromDate": "2024-03-07T04:00:00.000Z", "toDate":"2024-03-07T04:00:00.000Z" } }, "credentials": { "database": "***", "password": "***", "userName": "***" } }} |
