What is an operational map layer?

Operational map layers contain the editable content of your mobile project. They are vector-based, point, line, and polygon data that your field crew can query, edit, and synchronize in the field. Operational map layers are stored inside a mobile cache for use in the ArcGIS for Windows Mobile field applications. A mobile cache is a lightweight database designed for use in ArcGIS for Windows Mobile.

You can create a mobile cache containing your operational layers in one of the following ways:

• Using the Create Mobile Cache geoprocessing tool in ArcGIS for Desktop. First, in your ArcMap document, you add and symbolize the operational layers you want to include in your mobile project. Next, you run the Create Mobile Cache tool to generate the mobile cache. When you add a mobile cache created this way to a mobile project, it's copied to the mobile project folder. The original mobile cache still exists in its original location, but any field work performed is done on the mobile cache in the project folder and not the original mobile cache.

  A mobile cache created in this manner works with a Desktop workflow (see Desktop and Server workflows for more information) and does not support data synchronization in the field. To check your field edits back into the geodatabase, use the Synchronize Mobile Cache geoprocessing tool from within your ArcMap document.

• Packaging or downloading from a mobile service. A mobile cache created in this manner can be used for field-to-office real-time data synchronization, provided your field workers have Internet connectivity. To create a cache this way, add a mobile service to your project in Mobile Project Center. When you save the project, a mobile cache schema is created and there's no actual map data. You can get data from the service through Mobile Project Center's data packaging function. Packaging is a way to get data before project deployment. If you deploy a mobile project without packaging data, your crew members can use the field devices to access the mobile service and download the operational map data into the cache, provided they have connectivity.
• Downloading from a mobile service using an ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Windows Mobile custom application. You can also use the application to upload field edits when connected.

Note:

All map layers, both operational and basemap, must share the same spatial reference. You may need to reproject your data to ensure that this requirement is met.