Keeping with longstanding tradition, the Esri User Conference (UC) 2023 brought together geospatial enthusiasts, industry experts, and technology leaders from around the world. As an exhibitor in Booth 1115, Geonexus made a significant impact at the event, engaging with a diverse audience and contributing valuable insights to discussions on integration, sustainable solutions, and the power of geospatial technology. Read on to recap our experience at the conference, see the reactions to key messages shared by Jack Dangermond, and discover the most popular topics our booth visitors were buzzing about.
The atmosphere at the conference was alive with energy and excitement, and it was clear that this year’s attendance numbers surpassed all previous records. According to Jack, there were around 18,000 people in attendance, and the sheer number of participants underscored the growing importance of addressing climate change and finding sustainable solutions using Esri technology. Jack’s urgent message resonated with attendees as he emphasized the need to leverage geospatial tools to tackle the complex challenges our world faces and in turn “creating the world you want to see”.
During the event, one prominent topic of discussion among booth visitors was mobility. Several organizations shared their experiences using ArcGIS Survey123 and other Esri and non-Esri mobile applications. The primary focus of many was on supporting field crews efficiently and ensuring seamless data sharing with other systems both inside and outside the Esri ecosystem. The emphasis on mobility showcased the increasing importance of geospatial technology when it comes to enhancing productivity and facilitating real-time collaboration in diverse sectors.
We also heard plenty of chatter about the ongoing transition to the Utility Network (UN), a topic that has attracted significant interest since the UN was announced in 2017. Many sessions dedicated to the UN were overflowing, indicating the widespread interest and eagerness to adopt this new technology. Notably, water utilities were leading the way, with numerous organizations initiating pilots or embarking on full-scale UN migration projects. It’s worth noting that the Esri’s announcement of extended support for version 10.8.1 until 2028 brought some relief, but concerns still lingered about the level of support available if organizations delayed their migration until then.
At this year’s User Conference, two presentations stood out from the rest. The first was delivered by PG&E, where they outlined their efforts to increase efficiency by implementing GIS across their enterprise and integrating systems for enhanced safety and reliability. This presentation emphasized the crucial role geospatial technology plays in optimizing operations and decision-making processes for all utilities.
The second presentation discussed the challenges and requirements of transitioning to the Utility Network. Representatives from Tacoma and FirstEnergy highlighted the importance of data clean-up before migrating to the UN. They stressed that the UN will not function properly with incorrect data, which necessitated a significant amount of manual clean-up. Additionally, the presenters emphasized the critical need to replace interfaces (integrations) with key business platforms such as OMS, EAM, and CIS, emphasizing their role in facilitating a smooth transition to the UN.
Geonexus’ presence as an exhibitor at the Esri UC 2023 was impactful and successful. The overwhelming turnout, coupled with Jack’s urgent messages about climate change and sustainable solutions, reinforced the importance of geospatial technology in addressing the complex challenges of our world and “creating the world you want to see”. The conversations we held with booth visitors brought to light the growing significance of mobility and the ongoing importance of the Utility Network, particularly in the water utility sector. Notable presentations, including keynotes by PG&E, Tacoma, and First Energy, further emphasized the critical role of GIS but also investigated the challenges associated with adopting new geospatial technologies. Overall, Geonexus’ participation in the conference solidified our position as a leading provider of geospatial solutions and further strengthened our commitment to helping organizations quickly and easily set up, maintain and manage their integrations.
At Geonexus, we’re on a mission to ensure the integrity and reliability of your enterprise data through our integration platform, empowering you to make effective decisions. The Geonexus Integration Platform (GIP) is the perfect flexible solution, offering ease of use, reliability, and seamless integration with popular systems like Esri® ArcGIS®, IBM® Maximo, SAP®, ABB® Ellipse, Oracle® Utilities, and more. We cater to asset-intensive industries worldwide, including utilities, telecommunications, pipeline, transportation, and government.
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