Data Analysis Paves the Way for Migrating to ArcGIS Utility Network

Denton Municipal Electric (DME) serves over 60,000 customers in the 100-square-mile greater Denton, Texas, area. The community-owned, not-for-profit public power utility is in the process of upgrading its ArcGIS by migrating to ArcGIS Utility Network. DME chose SSP Innovations to assist with a smooth and successful migration.

DME needed a plan for moving its existing ArcGIS geodatabase to Utility Network. The geodatabase was a legacy version of ArcGIS and largely maintained using third-party editing tools. DME wanted to understand the quality, condition, and structure of its existing data and its "readiness" for Utility Network. DME also needed a plan for implementing any necessary data improvements for future migration.

SSP performed a rigorous assessment of DME's data, identified the severity of errors, and provided recommendations for performing corrections. Automated validation tests were run to identify data errors or conditions that needed to be addressed. SSP also performed a visual inspection of applicable data and features across 20 percent of the geodatabase to identify potential errors, issues, or gaps. SSP quantified and classified the findings to help DME understand which errors had substantial adverse business impacts or would prevent migration, which data had consistent errors but minor business or system impacts, and which errors had minimal impact and could be migrated as is. DME received a plan for performing corrections via automated and manual methods as the first step toward migration.
 

DME is carrying out the data corrections needed for a smooth migration to Utility Network with a well-structured and aesthetically pleasing result. The work is being carried out and balanced with DME's day-to-day workflow. Minor errors that had fewer occurrences are being corrected by manual cleanup. Many high-frequency errors can be updated in batches using a selection method. Other items requiring more involved editing are being corrected over time before the target migration date. Automated routines are being used to correct coincident geometries by making a slight modification to X, Y, or Z offsets. Features that require deletion or retirement are also slated for automated cleanup.
 

DME partnered with SSP to prepare its data for migration to Utility Network. With over 27 Utility Network projects completed, SSP brings a wealth of technical knowledge, practical experience, and tools for data improvement and migration projects related to Utility Network. SSP worked closely with DME to develop a plan that met DME's requirements and staffing level.