Powerful multiutility geospatial technology enhances and optimizes digital management of networks

The foundation

Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) is a state-owned industrial and commercial company that supplies electricity, drinking water, sanitation services and gas to Medellín as well as neighboring municipalities.

Back in 1987, EPM started a feasibility analysis process to digitalize its network; however, it encountered difficulties managing graphical data. EPM needed a geolocation-based tool that could provide intelligent information about its network assets and infrastructure and optimize various administrative, technical and operational functions. It also needed to integrate its energy, water, gas and telecommunications networks with cartographic, digital information from other departments such as customer service and billing.

EPM wanted to automatically generate plans and reports and be more agile in accessing and updating network information. Among the main objectives was to be able to locate damaged parts of its network rapidly and accurately, quickly analyze efficiency and simulate how network changes would affect its customers.

EPM relies on Hexagon’s advanced utility GIS solutions and geospatial management platform.

The impact

EPM’s modernization process involved many phases over a period of several years.

During a pilot phase, models of aqueduct, sanitation, energy and telecommunications networks were designed, and cartographic bases and a cadastral mapping model were created. In the refinement phase, the network models built in the pilot phase were reviewed and new complementary functionalities were developed.

Between 1998 and 2003, the SIGMA project was put into production for EGAT (energy, gas, water and telecommunications), transforming network plans from paper and printed records into a GIS system (FRAMME), which migrated to Intergraph G/Technology (what is now HxGN NetWorks) between 2005 and 2007.

A longtime customer, EPM received Hexagon’s “100% Club” award, which recognized utility companies that digitized 100% of their maps.

Today, the system is used by several areas through integrations of the systems that support their processes.