Streamlining Data Management: New Features That Transform How Teams Work with Large Datasets

Managing large, static datasets is a major bottleneck in utility projects. Teams waste time hunting for reference data, duplicating work across organizations, and dealing with clunky interfaces that slow down critical field operations.

This month's release tackles these challenges with a complete Reference Layers overhaul. These features mitigate data management friction and get teams back to designing, building, and maintaining critical infrastructure.

Reference Layers Overhaul

Reference Layers now give you seamless access to large, static datasets. Upload layers directly within any model, set automatic visibility in job layers, and choose between point or line feature imports.

How it works:

• Upload static datasets (utility records, survey data, constraints) to any model

• Set layers as public for company access or private for restricted teams

• Enable "Always Show Layer" to save clicks, adding the layer automatically to relevant jobs

Field crews arrive on-site with comprehensive context already loaded instead of cross-referencing multiple systems. Design teams make faster decisions with instant access to historical data and utility conflicts. The result? Reduced field time and more accurate initial designs.

Enhanced Pole Loading Analysis

New equipment support has been added for antennas, capacitors, reclosers, regulators, street lights, and termination banks in DDS Integration. Additionally, a fallback analysis now solves a majority of complex guying scenarios that previously caused "Newton's convex optimization failed!" errors.

Field engineers can now model a wider range of real-world equipment configurations without running into analysis roadblocks. The improved guying convergence model means fewer failed calculations and more reliable structural assessments, reducing the need for manual workarounds or simplified models that don't reflect actual field conditions.

Better User Control

New user option disables Auto-Focus in the Node Info panel. The panel won't automatically snap to missing attributes, giving experienced users more control over their pace.

Moving Forward

These updates eliminate the data management inefficiencies that slow down infrastructure projects: fragmented data access, unclear ownership protocols, and rigid interfaces. Teams should focus on work in progress, rather than fighting their tools.

Ready to streamline your workflows? Contact our team to discuss how these features can optimize your specific project requirements. https://www.katapultengineering.com/get-started