I've been tasked with developing a geoprocessing service in ArcGIS Server 9.3.1 that in addition to providing the resultant feature sets, it needs to produce a pdf in which the layers can be toggled on & off. Upgrading to ArcGIS Server 10.0 is not going to happen (even with my begging & pleading).
The most simplistic workflow possible is outlined below. Step 1 is easy, I am already doing this with the python geoprocessor - steps 2 and 3 are where it gets difficult. I know creating a mxd and exporting to pdf are NOT possible with the python gp, so what are my options? I have been looking at some SOE examples, but they seem far to complex for my needs.
- Geoprocessing service does some magical processing and creates a geodatabase with result feature classes.
- Create a mxd document containing result feature classes and apply symbology from layer files
- Export pdf from mxd - store on server somewhere.
Just to clarify, the mxd is only temporary to create the pdf. No services will need to come from it and it can be destroyed after pdf creation. This workflow be initiated from a Flex app.