How can utility companies share mapping data securely with contractors?

Utility companies regularly need to give contractors access to mapping and location data. The challenge is making that information easy to use without losing control over licensed datasets, access rights or different versions of the same information.

Sending GIS files manually can work for occasional requests. At scale, it becomes much harder to manage. Different contractors may need different geographic areas or datasets, files can quickly become outdated, and the utility still needs to know who has access to licensed mapping.

A controlled mapping portal provides a different approach. Instead of repeatedly preparing and sending files, the utility can make approved mapping available through a managed environment and control access according to the contractor, project or requirement.

That can help address several common problems:

• Contractors receive the mapping relevant to their work, rather than unnecessary data

• Access can be managed centrally

• Current information can be made available without repeatedly distributing replacement files

• GIS teams spend less time responding to routine data requests

• Licensed mapping can be distributed through a more controlled process

This is particularly important for utilities working with large contractor networks. Mapping may be needed for maintenance, streetworks, repairs, new connections or infrastructure projects, with contractors joining and leaving projects continually. Managing that through email, shared drives or individual file transfers creates an administrative burden as well as a data-governance problem.

Licensing also matters, and not just to those holding the purse strings. It’s a complex administrative concern: Ordnance Survey and other commercial mapping cannot simply be distributed as though it were unrestricted company data. Utilities need a process that supports legitimate contractor use while retaining appropriate control over the information being supplied.

Idox Geospatial's Spatial Share tool is designed around this need, providing a managed way to distribute licensed spatial data to contractors and other external users. For utilities, that can turn contractor mapping from a series of individual GIS requests into a controlled service - making the right information easier to access while giving the organisation greater oversight of how its mapping is shared.

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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