During the Fall 2023 semester, users with GIS User Accounts can access the GIS workstations in the GIS Center via eLabs. eLabs is a multi-platform system used to access applications in a virtual environment or to access remote workstations.
Overview of Software Licenses
Refer to the following table for licensing specifics.
| ArcGIS Online | ArcGIS Pro | ArcGIS Desktop (aka ArcMap) | GIS Center Account | Remote Access | |
| FIU Student | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| FIU Student Currently enrolled in a GIS class | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Graduate student | YES | YES | YES | For research (application needed) | For research (application needed) |
| FIU Faculty & Staff | YES | $200/year* | $200/year* | NO (unless requested and approved) | NO |
| Remote Labs | YES | $200/year/computer | $200/year/computer | N/A | N/A |
ArcGIS Online
Cloud-based mapping and analysis solution from ESRI. An ArcGIS Organizational Account (aka ESRI Organizational Account, AGOL Organizational Account) allows you to access premium and subscription-based tools and data within ArcGIS Online. As an FIU Student, you have free access to ArcGIS Online resources.
ArcGIS Pro
The latest and most advanced desktop GIS software from ESRI. Users can authenticate via FIU SSO (using their FIU credentials), but the software can also be set-up with machine-specific licenses (e.g. in remote labs).
ArcGIS Desktop
Classic desktop GIS software from ESRI. Not recommended, as it is being phased out by ESRI.
GIS Center Account
This elevated level of access includes free use of all software available at the GIS Center as well as access to our computing resources, i.e. workstations in the study area and classrooms. It also includes network drives for the user where data can be stored centrally. GIS accounts are created automatically for students currently enrolled in a GIS class, but can also be requested for research purposes. Affiliated faculty is automatically assigned a GIS Center account. GIS teaching faculty will also be assigned a GIS Center account.
Remote Access
Students currently enrolled in GIS classes can use a limited number of workstations equipped with GIS software for class & homework.
* For small-scale projects (e.g. to support manuscript preparation for a limited amount of time) this fee can be waived. Contact gisrs@fiu.edu to arrange a waiver.
Software Licenses for Students
Software from ESRI
1. ArcGIS Online Organizational Account
ArcGIS Online is a cloud-based mapping and analysis solution from ESRI. An ArcGIS Organizational Account (aka ESRI Organizational Account, AGOL Organizational Account) allows you to access premium and subscription-based tools and data within ArcGIS Online. As an FIU Student, you have free access to ArcGIS Online resources.
- To obtain an FIU Organizational ArcGIS Online Account, follow the steps in this video.
For more details on ArcGIS Online, please visit What is ArcGIS Online.
In case of problems with your ArcGIS Online Organizational Account, email us at gisrs@fiu.edu.
2. ArcGIS Pro Software from ESRI
As an FIU student, you have free access to the ArcGIS Pro software.
- To download, install and use ArcGIS Pro with your FIU SSO account, follow the steps in the videos below.
Faculty and Staff should contact us at (305) 919-4294 or at gisrs@fiu.edu to inquire about ArcGIS Pro.
3. ArcGIS Desktop
!! Consider using ArcGIS Pro instead, as ArcGIS Desktop (aka ArcMap) is being phased out by ESRI over the next few years !!
If you are currently registered for a GIS course and have a GIS User Account, on the Public (Q) Drive, please find a folder called _SOFTWARE that contains:
- ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.1 software executable file
- Student trial software authorization file
- PDF with step-by-step instructions for installation and authorization: How to Download Install and Authorize ArcGIS Desktop aka ArcMap
If you are not currently registered for a GIS course, please contact us at (305) 919-4294 or at gisrs@fiu.edu to get a copy of the software and step-by-step instructions for installing and authorizing the software.
Before you Install ArcGIS Desktop (aka ArcMap)
- Check ESRI’s instructions for installing ArcGIS Desktop on your machine. Check out the system requirements to make sure your computer has the hardware and software required.
- The software cannot be installed on a computer that has a previous version of ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Server installed; if necessary, uninstall previous versions of ArcGIS Desktop or Server. It’s OK if the computer has ArcGIS Explorer installed.
- Install an image (ISO) extractor program such as 7-Zip.
- Obtain the software and authorization file from your instructor or from the FIU GIS Center.
- Install and authorize ArcGIS Desktop on your machine.
- If you are installing from an ISO image, unzip the ArcGIS for Desktop ISO using 7-Zip. In other words, click on the link provided above, and “Save File”. Then, extract using an extractor program such as 7-Zip, or WinZip.
- Run Setup.exe (or ESRI.exe) to install ArcGIS for Desktop.
- The Authorization Wizard will prompt you for a product to authorize; select “Advanced (ArcInfo) Single Use”.
- The Authorization Wizard will prompt you to input an authorization file. Use the file obtained earlier.
*All Services offered by the FIU GIS Center, including fee-based Services, are for support of FIU Educational and Research activities.
Software Licenses for Faculty
The software packages in the table below are offered to FIU Faculty for use in their individual research labs and offices. The fees include one year of usage and limited troubleshooting support. Once your request has been received, we will contact you to request additional information and send you a quote. Upon receipt of payment (using FIU SmartBilling, or Personal Check or Money Order, made out to “Florida International University” with “GIS Center” in the memo field), we will contact you to arrange for installation.
| Software | Price |
|---|---|
| ArcGIS Desktop | $200 |
| ArcGIS Pro | $200 |
| ArcGIS Server | $1,000 |
| ArcGIS Engine | $1,000 |
| ArcPad | $100 |
| ENVI + IDL | $300 |
| ENVI EX | $100 |
| ENVI FLAASH | $100 |
Duration of Licenses
Our licenses run from December 1st until November 30th of the following year. We will pro-rate your cost based on when you request and install the software. You will be notified one month before your license expires. You may then opt to renew it, or arrange a time to have the software removed from your computer.
ArcGIS Pro Software from ESRI
ArcGIS Pro is offered to FIU Community for use in their individual computer. The $200 fees include one year of usage and limited troubleshooting support. Once your request has been received, we will contact you to request additional information and send you a quote. Upon receipt of payment (using FIU SmartBilling, or Personal Check or Money Order, made out to “Florida International University” with “GIS Center” in the memo field), we will contact you to give more instructions on the installation.
Questions?
Contact us at gisrs@fiu.edu.