Use Case: Sustainable GIS Collaboration between Merkator, GIM, and Ores

Geplaatst op 14 December 2025 door Liesbeth De Ryck

Introduction

In the world of energy and utilities, infrastructure management is critical for reliable service delivery and future growth. Ores, the largest electricity and gas distribution network operator in Wallonia, faces the challenge of efficiently managing, maintaining, and expanding a vast and complex network on a daily basis. The challenges of the energy transition require intelligent and efficient digitalization of networks to ensure reliability, flexibility, and sustainability.

Merkator and GIM have been working closely with Ores for over ten years to address this challenge. Through a combination of technical expertise, in-depth domain knowledge, and a strong partnership, they provide a powerful and efficient solution that supports Ores in both daily operations and strategic decision-making.

 

The Challenges

Ores manages an impressive network of more than 50,000 kilometers of electricity lines and 9,500 kilometers of gas pipelines. This presents a range of complex challenges:

Complexity & Scale

The daily management, maintenance, and expansion of a vast and diverse asset landscape.

Data Consistency

Ensuring up-to-date, reliable, and consistent GIS data for all assets.Ensuring current, reliable, and coherent GIS data for all assets.

Efficiency

Automating data flows, integrations, and updates to minimize errors and maximize speed.

Collaboration

The need for a partner who offers not only technical expertise, but also domain knowledge and long-term commitment.

The Solution

Merkator and GIM have developed an integrated approach to effectively address these challenges, built on years of collaboration and deep expertise.

An Integrated GIS Approach

Dedicated Team & Domain Expertise

  • A dedicated team, composed of diverse and complementary profiles, brings the power of multidisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex challenges.
  • In-depth knowledge of activities related to the management of electricity and natural gas distribution networks ensures solutions that are both tailored and effective.

Esri-Based GIS Ecosystem

  • Development & maintenance: Together with Ores, we build and maintain an Esri-based GIS ecosystem that brings all assets together in a coherent way.
  • Accessibility: Ores employees can easily understand, visualize, and edit geodata—both in the office and in the field.
  • Development & maintenance: Together with Ores, we build and maintain an Esri-based GIS ecosystem that brings all assets together in a coherent manner.
  • Accessibility: Ores employees can easily understand, visualize, and edit geodata—both in the office and in the field.

Quality Assurance & Automated Processes

  • Data quality: Automated processes continuously improve the quality of GIS data.
  • Reliability: Ores always has access to up-to-date, reliable information for both operational and strategic decisions.
  • Data quality: Automated processes continuously enhance the quality of GIS data.
  • Reliability: Ores always has access to current, reliable information for both operational and strategic decision-making.

Automation with FME

  • Workflows: Development of complex, well-documented FME workspaces and data processes in close collaboration with Ores.
  • Efficiency: Large volumes of GIS data are processed in a consistent, controlled, and reproducible manner.
  • Regularity: These processes are executed frequently, ensuring the GIS ecosystem is always up to date.

The Result

  • GIS Foundation for the Energy Transition: Implementation of a modern GIS foundation based on Esri, with a single source of truth, and the creation of a digital twin of the networks to address the challenges of the energy transition.
  • Stable & Up-to-Date Data Layer: Ores can rely on a dependable foundation for daily operations and strategic decision-making.
  • Efficiency & Scalability: Through automation and collaboration, Ores can manage its infrastructure sustainably and expand it to meet future needs.
  • Maximum Use of Expertise: Merkator and GIM act as a single point of contact, leveraging their complementary knowledge to the fullest for Ores.

 

More about Ores

Discover the Power of Our Collaboration

Are you curious how our long-standing partnership with Ores translates into powerful, sustainable GIS solutions? Would you like to find out how this approach can also strengthen your organization with reliable data and efficient processes?
Request more information about our collaboration, the results achieved, and the impact we deliver—without any obligation. Simply fill out the form, and our experts will contact you promptly to discuss the possibilities!