Utility Data Management ArcGIS Solutions Update

During the November 2021 ArcGIS Solutions release we renamed our collection of utility data management ArcGIS Solutions to reduce confusion and make it easier to understand their intended use.  This blog provides more information about the name changes and details about our portfolios of utility data management solutions and utility network foundations.

What names changed?

Two collections of ArcGIS Solutions were renamed.  The first collection all previously had “Data Management for ArcGIS Enterprise” in their name and provided utility network data models.  They all now have “Utility Network Foundation” in their name.  Below are the old and new names:

The second collection all previously had “Data Management for ArcGIS Online” in their name.  They all now just have “Data Management” in their name.  Below are the old and new names:

Why did we change the names?

We received a great deal of feedback that the previous naming convention of both collections was confusing because they were too similar.  We also knew that we had to change the names as we added the ability to deploy most of our Data Management for ArcGIS Online solutions to ArcGIS Enterprise.

We also considered how the collections of solutions were being deployed and used.  We originally intended the Data Management for ArcGIS Enterprise solutions to provide a utility network data model and a preconfigured desktop data editing environment for ArcGIS Pro that included an optimized editing map as well as preconfigured editing workflows like adding complex assets.  However, we noticed that implementers were primarily using the utility network data models and to a lesser extent were using the preconfigured editing maps.

Which is right for me?

Utility Data Management Solutions

The Utility Data Management solutions are intended to help utilities streamline the creation and management of authoritative asset information and increase organizational efficiency by making data available to staff in the office and in the field.  Utility Data Management solutions instantly deploy a system of apps to create and share data that are preconfigured for specific types of utilities.

Data is represented as simple features using just points, lines, and polygons and is stored in feature layers.  There are no network capabilities.  Most of  these solutions can deploy to both ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise.

The Utility Data Management solutions are a good fit for organizations that want to get started inventorying their assets, want a SaaS style implementation, just want digital maps, or are not ready for the benefits of a network representation of their systems.

Organizations can move from a Utility Data Management solution to a Utility Network Foundation because the data models are aligned.

Utility Network Foundations

The Utility Network Foundations are intended to help utilities accelerate a utility network implementation.

Each Utility Network Foundation solution provides a preconfigured data model for the ArcGIS Utility Network.  Each data model includes typical industry assets and network behaviors.  The data models are stewarded by Esri, built with ArcGIS best practices, and encapsulate knowledge and experience from utilities around the globe.   Utility Network Foundations also include preconfigured service authoring and desktop data editing maps and sample data.

Starting a utility network implementation with a Utility Network Foundation will save most organizations time and money.

We hope this blog provides more clarity on our Utility Data Management and Utility Network Foundation ArcGIS solutions.

About the author

Howard Crothers

Howard leads the Esri team developing ArcGIS Solutions for electric, gas, water, sewer, stormwater, communications, renewables, and district heating and cooling.

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