Why Fast Iteration Is the Secret to a Successful Utility Network Migration

Why Fast Iteration Is the Secret to a Successful Utility Network Migration

Published: May 22, 2025

The migration to Esri’s ArcGIS Utility Network (UN) is a proving ground for data excellence in utilities. But if you thrive on solving big challenges with precision and speed, this one's for you. 

While many organizations focus on the technical challenge of moving from legacy systems like the Geometric Network, the real driver of success lies elsewhere: the ability to iterate quickly. 

For utility professionals who own their outcomes, iteration is the strategy separating high-performance migrations from painful delays.

The Hidden Risk Isn’t the Migration. It’s Your Data.

Legacy systems like the Geometric Network weren’t built with today’s complexity in mind. Over time, patchwork updates, schema drift, and manual fixes have left many utility datasets full of hidden liabilities. That’s where traditional migration methods fail: they assume your data is ready… It usually isn’t.

Without a fast way to surface and resolve errors, you risk blown timelines, expensive rework, and frustrated teams. Static project plans simply don’t stand up to dynamic, messy realities.

Successful migrations are not defined by a single, linear journey. They’re shaped by a utility’s capacity to test, refine, and adapt continuously. 

But what if you had a blueprint for how embracing rapid iteration can lead to faster deployments, higher data quality, and tangible operational improvements?

The Solution: Iterate Early, Iterate Often

1Spatial flips the script by enabling fast, rules-based iterations through a suite of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) tools: UN Readiness, UN Migration, and UN Validation. Each app empowers utility teams to assess, correct, and validate data at their own pace, with minimal risk. 

Instead of guessing what might break post-migration, our SaaS-based approach empowers your team to fix issues before they become blockers. 

Just ask Hunter Water – a leading utility in New South Wales, Australia.

They ditched the "big bang" approach in favor of continuous refinement, using our apps to:

• Pinpoint early issues in schema alignment and geometry using the UN Readiness App.

• Test and validate transformations on the fly with the UN Migration App.

• Ensure final integrity with UN Validation, so no surprises arise post-migration.

The result? Faster deployment, fewer headaches, and higher confidence at launch.

By using 1Spatial’s iterative model, Hunter Water reduced data errors early, avoided major rework, and accelerated readiness for the ArcGIS Utility Network.

The Hunter Water Playbook: Iterate With Confidence

At Hunter Water, the team knew they needed to modernize. But instead of betting on a big-bang migration, they adopted a cycle of continuous improvement powered by 1Spatial’s tools. Here’s what that looked like:

• Phase 1: Assess — Using the UN Readiness App, Hunter Water pinpointed schema mismatches, geometry issues, and connectivity gaps in their data. This early visibility was crucial.

• Phase 2: Migrate & Test — With 1Spatial’s Migration App, the team translated their data into the UN schema and immediately validated it using predefined rulesets. Because the system flagged issues as they arose, fixes were implemented in near real time.

• Phase 3: Validate & Launch — Finally, the UN Validation App confirmed data quality against Utility Network requirements. Hunter Water was able to launch their new system with confidence — and without delay.

This iterative model didn’t just make the project smoother. It also built internal alignment, reduced vendor dependency, and shortened time to value.

Built for Hands-On Problem Solvers

You don’t wait for issues to hit production. You get ahead of them. Our tools are designed for utilities like yours – where teams want direct control, minimal vendor dependency, and data they can trust.

That means:

• Clear, actionable spatial reports tied to real-world fixes.

• Drag-and-drop simplicity for rapid testing.

• Iterative controls that let you learn and adapt with every cycle.

This isn’t consulting fluff. It’s software that does the heavy lifting, so you can focus on getting the job done right.

From DIY to Full-Scale Support

Too often, technology projects overemphasize features. But in the world of utility migrations, agility is the real differentiator. The ability to test and improve your data quickly is what separates successful rollouts from stalled initiatives.

Whether you’re leading a lean GIS team or coordinating with multiple departments, 1Spatial’s flexible model works your way. Smaller co-ops gain autonomy. Larger IOUs gain speed and visibility. Everyone wins with less risk and more control.

Iteration not only de-risks investment, it also empowers teams to build trust in their data, transforming migration from a headache into an opportunity. Hunter Water’s success is not an anomaly but evidence of what’s possible when utilities shift from static project plans to agile data governance. 

With regulatory pressure mounting and Esri’s ArcMap retirement looming in 2026, this approach is quickly becoming the industry benchmark.

And we are leading the charge.

With proven results across utilities of all sizes, from Holland BPW in Michigan to RESA in Belgium, our iterative model is helping teams modernize faster, more affordably, and with fewer surprises.

Let Hunter Water’s success be your roadmap. If you’re ready to:

• Cut down on data errors before migration.

• Empower your team to iterate confidently.

• Launch with clean, validated data.

Then the first step is simple: start with the UN Readiness App.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Take control of your migration. Contact 1Spatial for a readiness assessment or explore our tools built for rapid, rules-based utility network migration.