How the Esri Utility Network Modernised Pidpa's Asset Management
Pidpa, one of Belgium's largest water companies, is responsible for a vast and complex public water distribution network. Serving 1.2 million people across the province of Antwerp, the organisation manages thousands of kilometres of pipes, canals, and critical assets. To streamline its operations and modernise its infrastructure, Pidpa sought to evolve its long-standing GIS capabilities. Avineon Tensing guided them through a strategic Proof of Concept (POC) to test the power of Esri’s Utility Network, paving the way for a more connected and efficient future.
Did you know
- Pidpa supplies drinking water to 1.2 million people across 65 municipalities.
- Its infrastructure includes over 13,000 km of drinking water pipes and 3,500 km of sewage pipes.
- The company has been an active Esri ArcGIS platform user since 2003.
- A dedicated team of 50 key users and 400 additional staff rely on GIS for daily operations.
- Pidpa also provides up-to-date GIS data to around 3,000 external stakeholders.
The Challenge – Modernising a Legacy GIS Landscape
For years, Pidpa leveraged GIS to manage its assets, but its system was a complex blend of Esri’s ArcMap, custom-built extensions, and third-party applications. While functional, this landscape presented significant challenges. Key workflows, such as capturing asset modifications from field crews, still relied on paper-based processes, creating delays and risking data inaccuracies. The bespoke nature of the system made upgrades cumbersome and limited the ability to introduce new, powerful functionalities for network analysis and stakeholder engagement.
Pidpa envisioned a future-proof GIS environment that could eliminate paper workflows, provide deeper analytical insights, and simplify its IT infrastructure. The organisation recognised that migrating to Esri's Utility Network was the logical next step. This move promised to standardise processes, improve data integrity, and create a scalable foundation to support evolving business needs. The key question was how to approach such a critical migration with confidence and clarity.
The Solution – A Strategic and Collaborative Proof of Concept
To navigate this transition, Avineon Tensing collaborated with Pidpa and Esri to conduct a focused Proof of Concept. The project was designed to be pragmatic and effective, testing the viability of the Utility Network and scoping the effort required for a full migration. Over several months, the team rigorously tested approximately 80 use cases, validating the new platform's capabilities against Pidpa’s real-world requirements. We focused on migrating network data from a representative municipality to prove the process from end to end.
Our specialists rebuilt the existing data model to align with the Utility Network's structure, translating complex business rules from legacy applications into standard configurations. This approach immediately demonstrated how the new system could reduce reliance on custom code. We also introduced ArcGIS Enterprise and tested new functionalities like advanced network tracing, mobile editing capabilities for field crews, and insightful operational dashboards, showcasing a clear path to a more dynamic and integrated GIS environment.
Key focus areas of the Proof of Concept:
- Database and Data Model: We successfully migrated the data for a representative area and rebuilt the model for the Utility Network, confirming data quality and structure.
- Desktop Environment: The project mapped the transition from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro, ensuring a smooth and efficient migration for desktop users.
- Web GIS Integration: We demonstrated how the new Utility Network services could seamlessly power Pidpa’s existing web GIS viewer, enhancing its functionality.
- New Capabilities: We tested advanced tracing, mobile editing, and operational dashboards, proving the platform's power to deliver immediate value.
The Result – A Confident Blueprint for a Future-Proof Network
The Proof of Concept was a definitive success. It proved that the Esri Utility Network’s extensive configuration options could replace nearly all of Pidpa's custom applications, dramatically simplifying their IT landscape. This simplification not only reduces maintenance overhead but also enables the organisation to adopt new features more efficiently. The integration with ArcGIS Enterprise empowers users across the organisation—not just GIS specialists—with clear, actionable insights through intuitive dashboards and web applications.
Workflows for creating and editing network features were streamlined through the use of attribute rules and contingent values, improving data accuracy and operational efficiency. Armed with the results and lessons from the POC, Pidpa had a clear and validated blueprint for a full-scale migration. The project provided the confidence needed to move forward with transforming its GIS into a truly modern, integrated, and value-driven platform.
Our accomplishments:
- Simplified IT Landscape: Replaced complex custom tools with standard, out-of-the-box Utility Network configurations.
- Empowered Users: Provided greater insight into network status for users across the organisation through powerful dashboards and web apps.
- Future-Proof Foundation: Established a scalable and modern platform ready for further integration and new functionality.
- Validated Migration Path: The successful POC provided a clear, low-risk blueprint for the full, organisation-wide implementation.
Ready to modernise your utility network?
If your organisation is facing the challenge of a complex or outdated GIS, Avineon Tensing can help you shape a clear path forward. Let’s collaborate to build a smarter, more connected system that unlocks the full potential of your geospatial data. Reach out to one of our specialists today and start building your data-driven future.
