As many utilities transition from ArcMap’s Geometric Network to ArcGIS Pro’s Utility Network, it is tempting to view the migration as just a necessary technical upgrade. But that mindset risks missing a critical opportunity.
Data accuracy should be at the heart of your migration strategy.
The Utility Network in ArcGIS Pro brings a more modern, efficient, and scalable framework for managing utility networks. It supports advanced modeling, real-time tracing, and tighter integration with other enterprise systems. But its effectiveness hinges on one key factor: the quality of your underlying data.
Why Accuracy Matters
Even the most sophisticated tracing tools can yield misleading results without accurate spatial and attribute data. Small misalignments, incorrect attributes, or disconnected features can cause major downstream issues, such as faulty outage predictions, incomplete pressure zone calculations, or integration problems with external systems.
Addressing these issues during migration helps:
- Eliminate connectivity gaps and inconsistencies
- Improve the reliability of network traces and analysis
- Streamline integration with SCADA, AMI, ADMS, and other critical platforms
- Lay the groundwork for automation and decision support systems
More Than Just a Clean-Up
Prioritizing data accuracy during migration is not just a “clean-up” task -it’s a strategic investment. For electric utilities, it directly supports the implementation of Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS). For gas utilities, it enables better pipeline and distribution network management. In both cases, connected, reliable data forms the foundation for real-time decision-making, operational safety, and automation.
A Timely Opportunity
Migration to the Utility Network isn’t just a system update – it’s a chance to elevate the value of your data and unlock new operational capabilities. By treating data quality as a strategic priority from day one, utilities position themselves to keep up with digital transformation and lead it.
Gaining Trust from the Field
One often overlooked, but essential, factor in successful platform adoption is field crew trust. If the data in the new system is outdated or inaccurate, field teams will quickly lose confidence in its reliability and may revert to legacy methods or manual workarounds. Ensuring high data quality not only enables advanced functionality, but also builds the credibility and trust needed for widespread use in daily operations.
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