The Biggest Shift in Utility Operations

The Biggest Shift in Utility Operations in a Decade Is Coming—Are You Ready?

By 2026, Esri’s ArcMap and its legacy Geometric Network will retire, forcing utilities into a critical transition as they prepare for the ArcGIS Utility Network migration. But this isn’t just a software update—it’s a fundamental shift that could either boost your utility’s performance or severely disrupt your operations.

Your Biggest Problem Isn’t Technology—It’s Data

For decades, utilities have wrestled with manual workflows, outdated infrastructure, and incomplete records—especially for hidden underground networks. These legacy challenges aren’t just headaches — they directly sabotage reliability, inflate costs, and erode customer trust.

Utilities decision-makers already face:

• Frequent outages driven by bad data.
• Spiraling operational expenses tied to endless manual corrections.
• Frustrating uncertainty around the ROI of tech investments.

But migrating from a geometric network is a heavy lift. Most utility organizations face significant hurdles, including the following:

• Data translation and schema mapping: You’ll need to restructure your entire dataset to match the Utility Network schema.

• Topology and connectivity rule design: Custom rules must be built to enforce asset behavior.

• Training and retooling: Analysts, engineers, and field crews need retraining on ArcGIS Pro and the Utility Network Editor.

• System re-architecture: You’ll likely need ArcGIS Enterprise, a new services architecture, and possibly a rethinking of existing integrations (e.g., work management, SCADA, OMS).

When it comes to solving these issues, the proof is in the performance.

1Spatial specializes in automating data management and migrating utilities smoothly onto Esri’s ArcGIS Utility Network. By replacing manual processes with proactive, rules-based validation, utilities see immediate improvements, including automated correction of data inaccuracies, comprehensive, enterprise-wide visibility, and accelerated migration timelines with minimal disruption.

Utilities that partner with 1Spatial quickly reap the benefits:

• Reliability Gains: Holland Board of Public Works slashed their ArcGIS Utility Network migration timeline in half, dramatically improving service reliability.
• Cost Savings: Automation cuts costly manual processes, directly lowering operational expenses and consumer rates.
• Better Decisions: Executives gain actionable, accurate data, ensuring smarter strategic planning, enhanced compliance, and stronger customer engagement.

In fact, our client testimonials speak volumes:

• Holland Board of Public Works: Trusted 1Spatial to deliver a fast and efficient UN ArcGIS migration, achieving a rapid migration in under 100 days with 1Spatial’s help, enhancing GIS workflows.

• United Utilities: Significantly reduced service disruptions due to rapid, effective solutions from 1Spatial.

• RESA (Belgium): Trusted 1Spatial to handle critical GIS renewals for electricity and gas networks—proof of unmatched capability.

Is Your Utility Ready for the Geometric to Utility Network Migration?

1Spatial isn’t another vendor promising miracles—we’re your strategic partner dedicated to measurable, proven success. Our clients have already achieved clear ROI, substantial reliability boosts, and genuine cost reductions.

Better data. Better decisions. Superior service. Through seamless integration, you'll see immediate improvements in data integrity, and measurable operational efficiency gains are just the beginning. One utility executive even called 1Spatial their “secret weapon” after watching service interruptions plummet.

Are you ready to discover how 1Spatial can empower your utility to master the future of network management efficiently, effectively, and profitably?

To schedule a demo or learn more about our UN migration tools and services, contact our team today.