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Vorarlberger Energienetze GmbH (vorarlberg netz), a subsidiary of illwerke vkw AG, is facing a major milestone in its GIS strategy: the transition to the third generation of its Geographic Information System (GIS3) based on VertiGIS products.
Challenge
The first generation was developed around 1987 and was expanded in 1995 to include municipal GIS services. Today, the company manages approximately 126,000 electricity and gas service connections and supports more than 80 customers as a GIS service provider. The proven base software is reaching the end of its lifecycle and must be replaced by 2028 at the latest. High requirements for data integrity, ongoing large-scale projects, and ensuring a secure transition to the new environment increase the overall complexity.
Solution
In the preliminary project “Upgrade Geoinformation Systems,” a test environment was set up using ArcGIS Enterprise, VertiGIS Studio, and VertiGIS Networks. Functions were compared, and migration tests as well as data validations were carried out across various utility departments.
GIS3 integrates previously separate components such as web, mobile, and editor applications, as well as the connection to VertiGIS FM, into a consistent, end-to-end environment. A standardized data model for electricity, gas, telecommunications, district heating, water, and wastewater facilitates the representation of complex network structures and is intended to simplify data capture processes in the future.
Result
In practical use, GIS3 delivers numerous advantages: real-time data validation provides immediate feedback and raises data quality for network calculations to a new level. Cartography benefits significantly from enhanced capabilities, and an offline GIS enables efficient fieldwork on smartphones and tablets. Integrations with SAP and VertiGIS FM streamline workflows. Implementation is carried out in close coordination with key users in the specialist departments and is supported by targeted know-how development in system administration.
Looking Ahead
The goal is a smooth transition by 2028 at the latest, depending on the final availability of product and data model components. Looking ahead, the GIS3 platform is expected to be enhanced with AI-supported automation in data capture and development. Initial steps could focus on generalization and dimensioning. Vorarlberg netz also sees significant potential in AI-based data research, reality capture workflows, as well as 3D and IoT applications.
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