# Introduction

This guide describes the main steps involved in publishing data through a JMap Cloud mapping application, whether public or restricted.

Within an organization, each user is assigned one of three roles in JMap Cloud: Administrator, Manager, or User. The [Roles](/en/jmap-cloud-portal/user-guide-for-jmap-cloud-portal/introduction/roles.md) section describes the responsibilities associated with each role.

Only Administrators and Managers can access JMap Cloud Portal, the platform's data management interface. Some management operations, however, are restricted to Administrators. Users, on the other hand, access only the mapping applications that publish the data, such as JMap NG.

The diagram below illustrates the general workflow and highlights the roles involved at each step.

![](/files/s3zeXkBXGHPH8ibsiSaj)

## Integrating Data

In this first step, the Manager integrates data into JMap Cloud by creating data sources. These sources may originate from GIS files, spatial data servers, imagery, or non-spatial tabular files.

Data can be:

* Uploaded and copied into the internal JMap Cloud databases
* Dynamically connected through external web services
* Accessed through data sharing with other organizations

These sources then become available for project configuration.

For more information, see the [Integrating Data: Data Sources](#connecting-data) section.

## Organizing Data into Projects

Data integrated into JMap Cloud is organized into projects. A project includes:

* The definition of map layers
* Security settings (access permissions)
* Measurement units
* Other display settings

When creating a project, the Manager defines the map’s appearance, the data it contains, and which users can access it.

For more details, see the [Organizing Data into Projects](/en/jmap-cloud-portal/user-guide-for-jmap-cloud-portal/organizing-data-into-projects.md) section.

## Configuring Project Data

The Manager then creates map layers by selecting data sources.

For each layer, the Manager can define:

* Feature display styles
* Labels
* Tooltips
* Visible zoom levels
* And other configuration options

It is also possible to add non-spatial tabular data to a project.

For more information, see the [Configuring Project Data in Studio](/en/jmap-cloud-portal/user-guide-for-jmap-cloud-portal/configuring-project-data.md) section.

## Publishing Data

Once the project is finalized, it can be published to Users through JMap NG applications.

Depending on the security settings defined by the editor:

* The application can be public.
* The application can be restricted to authenticated users with the User role.

For more information about these applications, see the [JMap NG User Guide](https://docs.jmapcloud.io/en/jmap-ng/jmap-ng-user-guide).

## Extensions

Extensions developed by various software vendors can be added to projects to provide additional functionality for the applications that publish the data.

The [Extensions](/en/jmap-cloud-portal/user-guide-for-jmap-cloud-portal/managing-the-organization/extensions.md) section lists the extensions available for projects.


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