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Configure Custom Map Layers

Overview

 

Custom Map Layers allow Organization Admins to display ArcGIS map layers in Regroup. These layers help teams visualize infrastructure, service areas, and assets directly on the message map. You can use these layers to create custom polygons for targeted notifications during maintenance, outages, or service disruptions.

This feature is available as a premium add-on. Regroup must enable it for your organization before you can configure map layers. Admins manage custom layers from Organization Settings → Custom Map Layers.

Availability and Access

Custom Map Layers are available only when the add-on is enabled for your organization.

  • When enabled, a Custom Map Layers section appears under Organization Settings → Custom Map Layers.

  • When disabled, the section is hidden, and all custom layers are removed from the map menu.

  • The add-on page displays Configure when active and Contact Regroup when inactive.

To activate this feature, contact the Regroup team.

Required Role

Only Organization Admins can create, edit, delete, and manage custom map layers.

All Admins can view and use enabled layers when creating messages.

Enable the Custom Map Layers Add-On

Before configuring map layers, confirm that the add-on is enabled and active.

  1. Navigate to your Organization Settings.

  1. Select Add-ons.

  2. Locate Custom Map Layers.

  3. Select Options.

  4. Open the Custom Map Layers details page.

  1. Select Enable Custom Map Layers.

  2. Under Enable Authentication Types, select one or more options:

  1.  

  • API Key

  • OAuth 2.0

Configure Authentication

Some ArcGIS map services are public and do not require authentication. If your service is publicly accessible, you can verify and add the layer without enabling any authentication type.

Enable authentication only when your ArcGIS service restricts access

API Key Authentication

Use this option when your ArcGIS services are secured with an API key.

Requirements:

  • API Name

  • API Key

Before enabling this option, generate an API key in your ArcGIS account. Configure the key to allow access to the required map services.

Regroup uses the API key to authenticate requests to your ArcGIS layers.

OAuth 2.0 Authentication

Use this option when your ArcGIS services require OAuth-based authorization.

Requirements:

  • Client ID
  • Client Secret

OAuth 2.0 allows Regroup to securely access protected ArcGIS resources without storing user credentials. The authorization server issues access tokens after successful authentication and consent.

You must register an application in ArcGIS to obtain the Client ID and Client Secret.

Regroup uses these credentials to request and refresh access tokens for protected services.

  1. Select Save.

 


Add a New Custom Map Layer

  1. Go to Organization Settings → Custom Map Layers.

  2. Select Add a Map Layer.

  1. Complete all required Map Layer Fields:

    • Layer Name(Required)

      • Enter the layer name to be displayed on the map.

      • This name appears in the map menu.

    • ArcGIS REST Service URL (Required)

      • Enter the ArcGIS REST Service endpoint.

      • The system uses this URL to retrieve layer data.

      • Placeholder: https://example.com

    • Authentication Type(if Required)

      • API Key

      • OAuth 2.0

  1. Select Verify URL to validate the service.

  • A success message appears next to the button when verification succeeds.
  • An invalid URL displays an error message below the URL field.

  1. Select Save.

Save or Cancel a Map Layer

Save

  • Select Save after successful verification.
  • The system saves the layer only when no errors exist.
  • New layers are enabled by default.

Cancel

  • Select Cancel to discard changes.
  • The system returns you to the Custom Map Layers page.

Manage Existing Map Layers

You can manage existing layers from:

Organization Settings → Custom Map Layers

This page displays a table of all configured custom layers.

Each layer includes the following controls:

Note: Refer to the image at the end of this section, which further illustrates the Enable/Disable, Default, Edit, and Delete controls described below.

1. Layer Name

Displays the configured name.

2. Enable / Disable

  • When selected, the layer is available for selection in the Map Menu.
  • Enabled layers appear in the map menu and can be used for message targeting.
  • Disabled layers are hidden and cannot be selected.
  • You can toggle this setting at any time.

3. Default

  • When selected, the layer is chosen in the Map Menu by default.
  • The layer loads automatically when the map opens.
  • Only enabled layers can be set as default.

4. Edit

  • Opens the Edit Map Layer page.
  • Allows you to update the name, URL, or token.
  • You must re-verify the URL after changes.

5. Delete

  • Permanently removes the layer.
  • Deletes the layer from the map menu.
  • This action cannot be undone.

Use Custom Map Layers in Messages

You can access custom map layers when composing a new message and selecting recipients by map.

  1. Select New Message.
  1. Choose one of the available options:
    • Quick Message
    • Geofence Message
    • Ad Hoc Message
    • Message to Channel (when using Message to Channel, select Add Additional Groups or Contacts to open the submenu and enable Choose Recipients via Map)
  1. Select Choose Recipients via Map.
  1. When the map page opens, select the Menu icon in the upper-right corner.
  1. Open the map layers menu.
  2. View and select the available custom and system layers.

Map Menu Order

Layers display in the following order:

  1. Contacts layer
  2. Groups layers (if enabled)
  3. Custom Map Layers
  4. Default system layers
  5. COVID-19 Cases layer

Default System Layers

Regroup provides built-in system layers that appear below Custom Map Layers in the map menu.

Weather

  • Weather observations and data
  • Weather Radar Base Reflectivity Mosaic (Satellite)
  • Surface Air Temperature (Satellite)

Watch, Warning, and Advisories

  • Current Warnings
  • Watches and Warnings

Map Menu Label and Controls

Custom map layers display the following label in the map menu:

Custom map layers added by Organization Admins

Administrative Controls:

  • Only enabled layers appear in the menu.
  • Any Organization Admin can enable or disable layers from the map menu.

Summary

Custom Map Layers enable organizations to integrate ArcGIS data into Regroup. Organization Admins can configure secure, verified layers and make them available for message targeting. When enabled, these layers streamline geographic targeting and improve response workflows.