The push towards decarbonization, coupled with the widespread adoption of renewable energy and electrification, is driving unprecedented changes in how utilities operate.
As utilities navigate these challenges, the tools and technologies used to manage and operate the grid must evolve. At the heart of it all is the network model, the digital twin of the physical grid. Traditional Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were originally designed for land-based mapping, printing and analytics. While they have served the industry well for decades, these systems struggle to meet the demands of today’s dynamic and sophisticated utility networks.
The Esri Utility Network
In order to continue using Environmental Research Systems Institute's (Esri) GIS infrastructure, utilities need to migrate to its Utility Network (UN). However, this migration comes with significant costs and disruptions, without delivering a clear increase in functionality or a tangible return on investment (ROI). Many utilities are finding that the promised benefits of the Esri Utility Network, such as enhanced network modeling, are not actually improvements over their existing systems.
As a result, the costly and complex transition to the Esri UN may not justify the investment, leaving utilities to ask: is there an alternative approach?
Enter IQGeo's software solution for utilities
Built specifically for utilities with modern web, cloud and mobile technologies, IQGeo provides a single solution for geospatial work execution, ensuring all field work travels through the IQGeo platform by connecting workflows to your network model in a single application.
- One application for every field workflow. Rather than switch between apps, field teams perform all work in a single, unified platform and auto-sync updates with the GIS.
- Mobile network modeling. Our platform enables crews to mobilize the GIS so they can visualize the network model in the field and perform work against grid assets.
- Precise geospatial awareness. View every project in the context of exact asset location while turning pinpoint spatial data into actionable tasks.
- Rules-based efficiency. Configurable, no-code workflows connect network features to tickets and milestones, triggering appropriate follow-ups within your network model.
- Mobile-first approach. IQGeo was natively designed for mobility so that field users have the same rich functionality as office users.
Challenging traditional GIS
Technology and processes developed 20-30+ years ago are simply no longer workable. They do not provide the data quality, currency and collaboration needed for next generation-networks.
Customers moving to the Esri Utility Network are quickly realizing that this is not merely an upgrade, but instead a fundamental rebuild of their entire GIS. Watch our webinar in partnership with Energy Central to learn about the benefits of an alternative approach.
There is a real alternative to Esri Utility Network
In a time when utilities are under increasing pressure to modernize their grids and adapt to the rapid pace of industry change, the tools and technologies they rely on must be built for today’s challenges.
IQGeo offers a new answer: a flexible, scalable solution specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of the utility industry. Our solution empowers you with the tools to efficiently manage your networks now and into the future, from design and as-builts to inspections and outage response, all while seamlessly integrating with existing GIS mapping systems.
Now is the time to consider an alternative that truly aligns with your operational goals. Don’t get locked into systems and processes that may not meet your future needs. Contact us today to request a pilot and experience firsthand how IQGeo can help your utility stay ahead of the curve and achieve greater efficiency and resilience in this era of rapid change. You owe it to yourselves to evaluate new capabilities rather than continue using the same limited functionality you have for years.
This blog post was originally published on November 11th, 2021. Updated August 14th, 2025
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