Municipality modernizes asset management, improves data quality and enables smarter decision-making by leveraging VertiGIS Studio
Denver, US. 27th July 2026 – VertiGIS, a global leader in geospatial solutions, has helped the City of Windsor in Ontario to transform its asset management capabilities through a practical, cost-effective digital modernization strategy. The municipality achieved 80% of the benefits of a large-scale infrastructure overhaul, in a fraction of the time and the investment typically required.
Rather than adopting a lengthy and costly replacement or an extensive Esri Utility Network migration, the City of Windsor adopted a pragmatic “fit over flash” approach. Utilizing VertiGIS Studio – a configurable suite of web-based applications and workflow automation tools – it has streamlined processes, improved data accessibility and built geospatial workflows without extensive custom development.
Like many municipalities, Windsor is under pressure to modernize asset management processes while balancing limited resources and growing operational demands. Legacy databases, disconnected workflows, paper-based processes and restricted access to information were creating challenges for efficient infrastructure management and decision-making.
“The reality was that our legacy asset database and disjointed data maintenance workflows were making it difficult to manage assets efficiently and effectively,” said Carter Day, GIS Supervisor at the City of Windsor. “Instead of trying to chase the latest technology model, we focused on solving the real problems we had with the tools already available to us.”
Modern GIS Solutions Delivering Tangible Value
The City implemented several VertiGIS Studio applications as part of its transformation:
· VertiGIS Studio Web enabled the rapid creation of intuitive, department-specific web applications.
· VertiGIS Studio Workflow automated data maintenance processes and guided staff through key operational tasks.
· VertiGIS Studio Reporting improved access to information and helped eliminate organizational data silos.
One of the most innovative aspects of the project was the development of a lightweight “pseudo utility network”, created in partnership with VertiGIS. The approach introduced business rules and connectivity for linear assets such as roads and sewers within Windsor’s existing data models, delivering many of the benefits of a GIS utility network without the cost and complexity of a full deployment.
“It’s a very practical, rules-based approach that defines how everything connects while still working within existing legacy data models,” added Day. “This allowed us to reach a meaningful level of capability and deliver value to the City much faster, without taking on the hefty cost and time investment of a more complex solution.”
Rethinking Digital Transformation Workflows
The project has delivered significant benefits across the organization, including improved decision-making, increased confidence in data quality, and a shift in how departments approach digital transformation initiatives. With geo-enabled information available through targeted web applications, stakeholders can now make more informed decisions based on trusted data.
At the same time, controlled editing workflows have improved data integrity and established stronger connections between previously disconnected datasets, giving City leaders greater confidence in the information used for planning and operations.
“Success comes from delivering tangible value quickly, getting effective solutions into people’s hands rather than spending two years pursuing perfection at the expense of momentum,” said Day.
Windsor’s Geomatics team plans to expand the successful proof of concept beyond its initial linear asset pilot in the future. This applies the same approach to additional infrastructure assets across the City, whilst continuing to maximize the value of its GIS investments.
“The City of Windsor’s success highlights how organizations can achieve meaningful transformation by focusing on practical outcomes and delivering value quickly,” said Drew Millen, CTO of VertiGIS. “By combining ArcGIS Enterprise with VertiGIS Studio, Windsor has created a modern, scalable foundation for smarter asset management and data-driven decision-making.”.
About VertiGIS
VertiGIS unlocks the power of location to help organizations work smarter. Its innovative geospatial solutions connect complex location data with real-world operational workflows for utilities, government bodies, telecom providers, and commercial and industrial teams. This empowers them to manage assets with precision, drive efficiencies, and achieve superior outcomes.
VertiGIS’ Neo technology vision powers this transformation. Cloud-first, industry-informed, AI-enabled tools are paired with a portfolio of applications including VertiGIS Studio, VertiGIS Networks, VertiGIS FM, VertiGIS LM, VertiGIS ConnectMaster and VertiGIS 1Integrate. These solutions extend and enhance Esri’s ArcGIS® platform, adapting to the needs of both small teams and enterprise-scale deployments.
More than 5,000 organizations worldwide rely on VertiGIS to turn geospatial data into actionable insights. To learn more about VertiGIS, visit www.vertigis.com
