ArcGIS Utility Network lands in the UK
Cambridge, UK, 10th February 2021, ( www.1spatial.com) 1Spatial, the global geospatial software and solutions company, and Esri UK, the global leader in location intelligence, have been selected as key partners in delivering the first Utility Network migration in the UK. Northern Gas Networks (NGN) supplies gas to 2.7 million homes and businesses across the North of England. NGN is leading this transformational digitalisation project that began in January 2021 and is expected to take 12 months.
Data is increasingly one of the most valuable assets within a utility. ArcGIS Utility Network puts data at the heart the organisation and maintains it with integrity. This next generation technology requires a change in the underlying data model from the current geometric model to the Utility Network model. This model allows utilities to create true digital twins of their network and meet the challenges of a modern utility. It’s a breakthrough in network modelling, information security and scalability.
“Esri UK is excited to be working with NGN and 1Spatial to deliver a next generation geospatial platform, which will form the foundation for a digital twin of NGN’s gas distribution network. This will be the first of its kind in the UK, and will provide NGN with a highly accurate geospatial network to enable enhanced future planning and decision making”, said Craig Hayes, Head of Critical National Infrastructure for Esri UK. “By working in partnership, we will be able to bring the best of Esri’s geospatial platform together with 1Spatial’s world leading geospatial data cleansing and management expertise.”
As the first utility organisation in the UK to embark on this transformational journey, NGN will benefit from the ability to view, analyse and edit their digital twin with high fidelity and allow them to maintain the integrity of the network. Features such as connectivity and tracing will be delivered out of the box, as well as a multitude of functionality that has previously proved challenging for utilities. Given the huge benefits provided, Esri Inc has committed to long-term development and support for the ArcGIS Utility Network.
Commenting on the collaboration, 1Spatial CEO, Claire Milverton, said: "We are delighted to expand our relationship with Northern Gas Networks and to collaborate with Esri UK to deliver the UK’s first Utility Network Migration project utilising ArcGIS and 1Integrate. The contract highlights the potential expansion opportunities in the utilities sector and exemplifies the breadth and depth of 1Spatial’s capabilities as a leader in data management and migrations.”
The 1Spatial and Esri UK team are excited to collaborate with NGN to enhance the quality and completeness of NGN’s data and extend their spatial capability; allowing the organisation to unlock the enormous benefits of next generation technologies. We believe this will help NGN in the next stage of its journey to become a data driven organisation and help to achieve the goals set out in its RIIO-2 Business Plan and accompanying Digitalisation Strategy. As the first in the UK to embark on a full Utility Network Migration, NGN are staying true to the ethos in their Digitalisation Strategy:
‘Digitisation is an opportunity to approach things differently, to redesign processes, to disrupt traditional ways of working and conventional ways of thinking. Digitisation is an opportunity to do better things.’
The project includes delivering a Utility Network design and architecture, conducting a comprehensive data quality audit and data cleanse and enhancement to ensure the data is fit for the new model. The project will be delivered in distinct phases, with an innovative synchronisation mechanism allowing NGN to ‘Go Live’ with each business application only when the business is ready. The iterative migration will include the configuration and refactoring of NGN’s existing business applications to be compatible with the new data model.
This project will demand high levels of collaboration between NGN, 1Spatial and Esri UK. As such, the team will be following Agile delivery practices and completing a thorough service transition. This approach will empower NGN to meet their objective of taking control of their GIS estate and enable them to leverage the value of their asset data without over-reliance on third-party vendors.
Matthew Little, Director of Innovation, Improvement and Information (3iG) at Northern Gas Networks:
“At NGN we’re working hard to harness the power of digitalisation to make better use of our data and operate even more efficiently, which allows us to pass on the wider benefits to our customers.
“As well as helping to run our network, projects like this play a vital role in modernising our data and ultimately in preparing us for the transition to a Net Zero economy.”
1Spatial and Esri UK look forward to starting this transformational project in the coming weeks and welcome any utilities embarking on this journey to contact us for more information.
To find out more about the 1Spatial business applications that will be migrated to the Utility Network Model as part of this project please contact Email Contact
About 1Spatial
1Spatial, an Esri business Partner in the Utility Network Management Specialty, is a global leader in providing software, solutions and business applications for managing location and geospatial data.
Our global clients include national mapping and land management agencies, utility companies, transportation organisations, government and defence departments.
Today – as location data from smartphones, the Internet of Things and great lakes of commercial Big Data increasingly drive commercial decision-making – our technology drives efficiency and provides organisations with confidence in the data they use.
We unlock the value of location data by bringing together our people, innovative solutions, industry knowledge and our extensive customer base. We are striving to make the world more sustainable, safer and smarter for the future. We believe the answers to achieving these goals are held in data.
Our 1Spatial Platform, incorporating Location Master Data Management (LMDM) software components like our 1Integrate rules engine, delivers powerful data solutions and focused business applications on-premise, on-mobile and in the cloud. This ensures data is current, complete, and consistent through the use of automation.
Our headquarters are in Cambridge, UK, with operations in the UK, Ireland, USA, France, Belgium, Tunisia and Australia.
We are committed to working with our customers to unlock the value of their data and create a smarter world.
For more information visit www.1spatial.com
About Northern Gas Networks
Since we started operating in 2005, we’ve been leading the way as one of the most cost-efficient of the UK’s eight gas distribution networks. We deliver great value for money to our customers, as well as a whole host of social and economic benefits to our region. We’re recognised as a dynamic, passionate, conscious and people-focused team that safely and reliably delivers gas to over 2.7 million homes and businesses across the North East, northern Cumbria and much of Yorkshire. Although we don’t source the gas, fix boilers and appliances, or get involved with plumbing, we work with those that do to deliver it through a vast network of underground pipes that are constantly being invested in and upgraded. It’s more complicated than it sounds so we’re always exploring cutting-edge thinking, revolutionary engineering practices and world-class science to find new ways to provide sustainable sources of energy. And while our customers may not see us very often, they can sleep soundly knowing that we’re working around the clock to keep them connected and make sure they stay safe. For more information visit the Northern Gas Networks website. Alternatively, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You can contact the Northern Gas Networks press office on 0113 322 7950 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays
About Esri UK
Esri, the global market leader in geographic information systems (GIS), offers the most powerful mapping and spatial analytics technology available. Since 1969, Esri has helped customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Today, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organisations including the world’s largest cities, most national governments, 75% of the Fortune 500, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities. Esri UK customers include: Northern Gas Networks, National Grid Gas, Severn Trent Water, Thames Water, Scottish Power Energy Networks and telecoms businesses, including BT and Sky.
