If your utility organization still relies on Esri’s legacy geometric network, you’re not alone — but you’re running out of time. Esri has made it clear: the geometric network is being phased out in favor of the ArcGIS Utility Network, and the clock is ticking.
Here’s what the migration means for your organization and why getting ahead of it matters.
What Is the ArcGIS Utility Network?
The Utility Network is Esri’s next-generation network management framework built on the ArcGIS platform. Unlike the legacy geometric network, it’s designed from the ground up for modern utility workflows — supporting asset packages, network rules, subnetwork management, and real-time connectivity tracing.
It runs natively in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Enterprise, and it’s the foundation for Esri’s utility-focused tools going forward.
Why the Urgency?
Esri has deprecated the geometric network in ArcMap. With ArcMap itself reaching end-of-life, every utility that hasn’t migrated is accumulating technical debt. The longer you wait, the harder and more expensive the migration becomes — especially if your network data has years of edits, custom configurations, and undocumented workarounds baked in.
What Makes the Migration Challenging?
This isn’t a simple data export. Migrating to the Utility Network involves rethinking how your network is modeled. Key challenges include schema redesign to match Utility Network asset packages and structure rules, data cleanup since legacy data often has orphaned features and connectivity gaps, testing and validation to ensure network tracing and subnetwork management work correctly, and staff retraining because ArcGIS Pro workflows differ significantly from ArcMap.
How QGS Can Help
At QGS, we’ve guided utility organizations through every phase of the Utility Network migration — from initial data assessment and schema mapping to full deployment and post-migration support. We specialize in the Esri platform and understand the real-world complexity that comes with legacy GIS systems.
If you’re planning a migration or just starting to evaluate your options, we can help you build a clear roadmap.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your Utility Network migration.