Esri Utility Network – There is a real alternative

The push towards decarbonization, coupled with the widespread adoption of renewable energy and electrification, is driving unprecedented changes in how utilities operate. As the utilities navigate these challenges, the tools and technologies used to manage and operate the grid must evolve. At the heart of it all is the network model, the digital twin of the physical grid.  

Traditional Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were originally designed for land-based mapping, printing and analytics. While they have served the industry well for decades, these systems struggle to meet the demands of today’s dynamic and sophisticated utility networks.  

The Esri Utility Network

Environmental Research Systems Institute (Esri) is forcing utilities to migrate to its Utility Network (UN), positioning it as the necessary evolution of their GIS infrastructure. However, this forced migration comes with significant costs and disruptions, without delivering a clear increase in functionality or a tangible return on investment (ROI). Many utilities are finding that the promised benefits of the Esri Utility Network, such as enhanced network modeling, are not actually improvements over their existing systems. 

As a result, the costly and complex transition to the Esri UN may not justify the investment, leaving utilities to ask: is there an alternative? 

Enter IQGeo's Adaptive Grid

IQGeo’s Adaptive Grid is the flexible alternative to migrating to Esri’s Utility Network. Built specifically for utilities with modern web, cloud and mobile technologies, Adaptive Grid provides modern network model management with connected digital workflows and integrated mobility to meet the current and future needs of today’s utility networks.  

1. Powerful network modeling: IQGeo’s Adaptive Grid provides a flexible and scalable network model that adapts to the ever-changing demands of modern utility grids. Whether managing the integration of new energy sources, expanding network capacity, or incorporating behind-the-meter assets, Adaptive Grid’s flexible architecture allows utilities to efficiently model and deploy any scenario. This flexibility ensures that your network model remains robust and accurate as the grid continues to evolve. 
   
   
2. Workflow automation: Beyond modeling, IQGeo’s Adaptive Grid offers comprehensive workflows and automation tools that streamline the management and execution of all types of work, from designs and as-builts to inspections, outage response, and more. Adaptive Grid connects end-to-end work processes, enabling utilities to efficiently manage the entire lifecycle of their network assets. 
   
   

3. Native mobility: Unlike traditional GIS where mobility is an afterthought, IQGeo’s Adaptive Grid mobility is a native component. Field crews can access and update network data or execute work orders from any device, whether they are online or offline. This digital capability not only improves data quality and timeliness but also bridges the gap between the office and the field, ensuring that all work is performed with up-to-date information.

   
   
4. Usability and user adoption:  One of the leading challenges with enterprise software has been slow user adoption. IQGeo has reimagined the user experience, creating a platform that is intuitive and easy to use, even for new or infrequent users. This focus on usability ensures that more team members can engage with the system, leading to higher productivity and collaboration across the organization.
   
   
5. Scalability and performance: Utilities should demand a system that can scale and perform across all conditions. IQGeo’s Adaptive Grid is designed to manage complex networks and the many different types of work they entail – planned and unplanned, during blue sky days and major events. We’ve proven that our solution can scale to and perform for thousands of users. 

Challenging traditional GIS

Technology and processes developed 20-30+ years ago are simply no longer workable. They do not provide the data quality, currency and collaboration needed for next generation-networks.  

Customers moving to the Esri Utility Network are quickly realizing that this is not merely an upgrade, but instead a fundamental rebuild of their entire GIS. Watch our webinar in partnership with Energy Central to learn about the benefits of an alternative approach. 

There is a real alternative to Esri Utility Network

In a time when utilities are under increasing pressure to modernize their grids and adapt to the rapid pace of industry change, the tools and technologies they rely on must be built for today’s challenges.  

IQGeo’s Adaptive Grid offers a new answer: a flexible, scalable solution specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of the utility industry. Our solution empowers utilities with the tools to efficiently manage their networks now and into the future, from design and as-builts to inspections and outage response, all while seamlessly integrating with existing GIS mapping systems. 

Now is the time to consider an alternative that truly aligns with your operational goals. Don’t get locked into a system that may not meet your future needs. We invite you to explore how IQGeo’s Adaptive Grid can transform your network management strategy.

Contact us today to request a pilot and experience firsthand how IQGeo can help your utility stay ahead of the curve and achieve greater efficiency and resilience in this era of rapid change.  You owe it to yourselves to evaluate new capabilities rather than being resigned to a complex and expensive migration to the Esri Utility Network.

This blog post was originally published on November 11th, 2021. Updated August 29th, 2024