How can utility companies make better use of geospatial data?

Utility companies depend heavily on location. Networks have to be planned, assets maintained, customers connected and field teams sent to exactly the right place. But getting more value from geospatial data means looking beyond simply knowing where an asset is. The best opportunities come from combining different types of spatial information to understand the asset in context.

• Detailed topographic mapping, for example, can place pipes, cables or other infrastructure against buildings, roads, paths, boundaries and water features

• Address data can connect properties and customers to precise locations

• Road-network data supports access, routing and maintenance, while terrain and LiDAR data adds height and ground information where slope, drainage or visibility affect a project.

Imagery adds another layer. Recent aerial photography can help teams examine site access, vegetation, development and other visible changes before arranging a visit. Land cover, geological and environmental datasets can provide still more context when infrastructure is being planned or risk assessed.

The real value appears when these datasets are used together. A utility company considering new infrastructure might use detailed mapping to understand the physical landscape, address data to identify properties that could be served, transport information to consider access, and terrain or environmental data to identify constraints. Existing asset information can then be layered into the same GIS environment.

The same principle applies to day-to-day operations. Better spatial context can support asset management, maintenance planning, field operations, network analysis and investment decisions. It can also help different teams work from a consistent geographic picture rather than maintaining disconnected versions of the same location information.

That doesn’t mean every utility company needs every dataset. More data only creates value when it answers a useful question. The starting point should be the operational problem: what are you trying to locate, understand, predict or improve? We can help you answer those questions.

Idox Geospatial offers a vast range of authoritative mapping and geospatial datasets, including OS MasterMap, address data, network data, aerial imagery, terrain and LiDAR, land cover and environmental information. We can also help you identify which combination of data will add practical value to your existing GIS and operational workflows.

How Emapsite can help

If you can't find exactly what you need, we can help you choose the right mapping data solution for your project via email, chat or over the phone.

For more information, reach out to our Customer Support team.

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