Access to ArcGIS Licences when working from home FAQs

Moving to a home office can present some challenges. We understand that maintaining access to the ArcGIS suite of products is crucial. To assist with this transition, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions that users have when setting up access to ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Pro from home, with the aim to make this process as smooth for you as possible.

Many of us have recently found ourselves working from home. This can pose issues when you require access to software that has been enabled to work on an office machine or company network. If you do not have a remote desktop connection or VPN to give you direct access to your office machine, then we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions, issues and scenarios that you may face while working from home.

How do I get access to the software installation package from home?

Downloads for ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro and any optional setups are accessed directly from My Esri. From there, you can see the list of downloads available to you by browsing to the My Organisations tab and clicking Downloads. Your account must have the proper privileges to access the Downloads page in My Esri. Don’t have access? Please contact licensing@eagle.co.nz to assist you.

You now have the software installed, but it remains unlicensed - what now?

If you normally log into ArcGIS Pro with a Named User license (an ArcGIS Online login), you will still have access at home and can simply log in with those same ArcGIS Online credentials. Named User licenses are unique to ArcGIS Pro.

The process becomes different when you have a Single Use or Concurrent Use license for ArcGIS Desktop or if you have manually converted your Named User license, ArcGIS Pro. These two license types require an authorisation code. If you do not have an authorisation code to authorise the license on your home computer, please contact licensing@eagle.co.nz to assist you.

I have a Single Use license; how can I authorise?

Single Use licenses are designed for offline and remote use. If you have an authorisation code for a Single Use license beginning with ESU, the authorisation process is completed in the ArcGIS Administrator application. This application comes packaged with the ArcGIS Desktop installation. If you need assistance authorising your Single Use license, Esri Canada has created a great YouTube video that demonstrates how to authorise this license type. You can also follow the steps on the Esri help page.

I normally connect to a company server to access my license, what do I do now?

If you were connecting to a company server to access your license, this means you were using a Concurrent Use license which was authorised on a License Server on your company network. If you do not have access to this network from home (for example, with a remote desktop connection or VPN), then you will no longer be able to use this license. There are a couple of options in this case: you can take your license offline (requires temporary access to company network) or you can reach out to your GIS administrator to determine if there are any Single Use licenses available to authorize the software on your home machine. Alternatively contact licensing@eagle.co.nz to assist you.

How can I take a license offline?

If you still have access to the company network, you can borrow a license from the License Manager thereby taking it offline for a specified period. You can do this by accessing the ArcGIS Administrator. Please find the instructions from Esri’s help page here.

I am using Citrix to access ArcGIS Desktop – will this work?

If you use Citrix to access Esri technology, you shouldn’t have any issues as long as you are connected to your organisation’s VPN.

I don’t have access to the software and it’s urgent!

If the process of getting set up with your software at home is taking too long, the best intermediary option for continued access to ArcGIS software is to contact us at licensing@eagle.co.nz or calling our GIS Support hotline – 08007EAGLE the phone is manned 8.30am – 5pm Monday – Friday excluding public holidays.