"I need utility network training and I don’t know where to start!"
Unfortunately, implementing a utility network is not as easy as running a tool and presto… it’s done! A utility network is a lot of work. That’s why we’re here to help.
Esri describes a utility network as:
“… a comprehensive framework of functionality for the modelling of utility systems such as electric, gas, water, stormwater, wastewater and telecommunications. It is designed to model all of the components that make up your system—such as wires, pipes, valves, zones, devices and circuits—and allows you to build real-world behaviour into the network features you model.
But this blog post isn’t about understanding what a utility network is. It’s about understanding the instructor-led training options available through Esri Canada that will give you the confidence to meet the utility network head-on in your own environment.
Our utility network courses
We offer two instructor-led courses designed to be taken in order (seriously, in order).
- Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS (two days)
- Configuring Utility Networks in ArcGIS (two days)
These courses discuss common, fundamental ideas at the foundation of ArcGIS Utility Network. Though ArcGIS Utility Network supports a range of utilities, it’s impossible to cover every utility in just two days. However, if you have an interest in water, gas or electric, you can choose exercises specific to those utilities. There are no exercises for stormwater, wastewater or telecommunications, but the concepts are transferable.
Both courses include slide presentations, live demonstrations, interactive activities and hands-on exercises. Examples and demonstrations will vary between water, gas and electric.
Before attending either course, you should have basic experience with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Enterprise, and intermediate knowledge of concepts such as web services, enterprise geodatabases and geoprocessing tools.
Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS
This first course in the series answers the question: What does a utility network do? It’s for users getting started with utility networks. It’s about the essentials that everyone should know, from end users to administrators.
This course focuses on software and architecture, utility network properties, creating and editing network features, tracing, and creating diagrams. After completing this course, you will have a high-level knowledge of what utility networks can do for you.
Here are some topics that we’ll discuss:
- Utility networks, domain networks and structure networks
- Network rules, categories and attributes
- Connectivity, containment and attachment associations
- Branch versioning
Do you want to build a new utility network? Do you want to migrate your existing feature into a utility network? This course won’t prepare you for these more advanced tasks, but the second course in the series will.
Configuring Utility Networks in ArcGIS
Now that that you know what a utility network does, this second course in the series answers the question: How do I build and maintain a utility network? It further examines the concepts from Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS and looks beyond what end users need to know.
This course focuses on building a utility network from scratch, configuring properties and making customizations. It also introduces migration techniques and gives perspective into long-term maintenance. After completing this course, you will have a high-level understanding of how utility networks are built, configured and managed.
Here are some topics that we will discuss:
- Tools to build a utility network
- Tools to configure and customize a utility network
- Tools to migrate a utility network
- Attribute rules
Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS—Water
I know, I know. I said we offer only two instructor-led courses. So, what is Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS—Water? It’s a private course for water customers, but don’t get too excited. It is the same course as Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS with two exceptions: the demonstrations exclusively use water data, and the audience is exclusively water clients. It’s an opportunity for you to bounce ideas around with like-minded individuals.
If this interests you, contact training@esri.ca.
Note that if you’ve attended Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS, you should not attend Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS—Water. If you’ve attended Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS—Water, you should not attend Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS. You can follow either course with Configuring Utility Networks in ArcGIS.
Last words
That’s all I have to say about Esri Canada’s utility network courses: two courses, two days each. Take them in the correct order. Make sure you have the prerequisite knowledge so you don’t get overwhelmed.
As with all our instructor-led courses, you only need a reliable Internet connection and a headset or on-board audio. We provide a remote computer with software and data pre-installed. Just find a quiet location at home or in the office, then sit back and learn. I’ll see you in class!
Register now for Working with Utility Networks in ArcGIS, or, if you’ve already taken the first course in the series, for Configuring Utility Networks in ArcGIS.
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