What are the biggest geospatial data challenges facing UK utilities?

Geospatial data is fundamental to utilities: networks, assets, customers, risks and field operations all have a location. The challenge is making sure the data describing those locations is accurate, current and useful enough to support decisions. For UK utilities, seven challenges stand out: 

1. Keeping data current. Networks and the landscapes around them change constantly. New developments appear, roads change and assets are added or replaced. Out-of-date mapping can quickly weaken planning and operational decisions.

2. Bringing different datasets together. Asset records rarely tell the whole story. Utilities may need to combine their own network information with topography, addresses, transport, water, terrain, imagery and environmental data. The value comes from making those sources work together.

3. Creating a reliable view of assets. Information about the same asset may sit in different systems, formats or departments. Building a consistent geographic view makes it easier to understand what exists, where it is and what surrounds it.

4. Managing increasingly detailed data. Newer sources such as the OS National Geographic Database offer richer attribution and more frequent updates. That creates opportunities for more granular analysis, while also requiring organisations to think carefully about integration, storage and delivery.

5. Identifying network risk. Flooding, subsidence, vegetation, development and changing land use can all affect infrastructure. Combining network locations with environmental, terrain and property information can help utilities identify where risks overlap with critical assets.

6. Getting data to the people who need it. Geospatial information has value beyond the GIS team. Engineers, contractors, field teams, planners and decision-makers may all need access, often without needing specialist GIS software themselves (Spatial Share can help with this). 

7. Turning more data into better decisions. More data isn’t automatically better. The real challenge is selecting information that answers an operational question: where should a network expand, which assets need attention, where is disruption most likely, or which customers could be affected?

The common thread though, is that utility companies rarely need more geospatial data for its own sake. They need reliable data that can be combined, kept current and made accessible to the people making operational decisions. Idox Geospatial can help utilities bring together authoritative mapping, network, property and environmental data – and, crucially, work out how best to deliver and use it across existing GIS and operational systems.

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.

Need help with another topic? Learn more in our Knowledge Hub.