Published Papers

Technical Note

Overcoming key challenges in HK Electric’s GIS transformation journey

Chris Hon Wai Poon and Denis Chan
Pages: 1-5Published: 28 Apr 2026
DOI: 10.33430/V33N1THIE-2025-0005
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POON HW and CHAN D, Overcoming key challenges in HK Electric’s GIS transformation journey, HKIE Transactions, Vol. 33, No. 1 (Regular Issue), Article THIE-2025-0005.R1, 2026, 10.33430/V33N1THIE-2025-0005

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Abstract:

The Hongkong Electric Co. Ltd. (HK Electric) has a long history of integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) technology into its operations, starting with its first computer mapping system in the 1980s. Over the years, HK Electric has transitioned from a Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)-based system to an Automated Mapping and Facilities Management (AM/FM) system. In 2019, HK Electric initiated a significant transformation of its GIS platform to create robust and future-proof infrastructure. The implementation began in February 2021 and was completed by February 2024, following data verification and user acceptance tests. Key challenges included transitioning to a standardised commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product, managing a lengthy migration process, ensuring data accuracy, and addressing performance issues. Solutions involved emphasising the importance of data models, automating data transformation, and leveraging the intrinsic design and data structure of the product. The project also focused on streamlining business processes and managing changes effectively. This paper shares the project team's experiences and solutions to benefit other companies embarking on similar journeys.

Keywords:

Geographic Information System; GIS; Automated Mapping and Facilities Management; transformation; data migration