The 3-GIS team just wrapped a week in New Orleans for the 2025 ISE EXPO. What really stood out? A push for faster operations, smarter automation, and better data utility. From conversations on the show floor to sessions like Leveraging AI and Automation to Streamline Network Data, some themes began to emerge. The solution to telecom complexity? Teams are realizing it starts with better management of the data they encounter day in and day out.
Let’s dive into some of the standout takeaways.
Why customization is becoming the top demand
Flexibility was a common thread throughout the week. Whether it was network operators, engineering firms, or contractors, the sentiment was the same: the tools should adapt to the workflow, not the other way around. Rigid systems that can’t keep up with evolving processes or deployment models are slowing teams down.
That’s why configuration came up again and again. From assigning roles and defining QA/QC rules to updating material catalogs on the fly, teams are looking for systems they can shape to match how they actually work without added complexity. These solutions are supposed to streamline network ops not make them more complicated, right?
Field-to-office sync is still a pain point
While automation has made major strides in telecom, many conversations circled back to a familiar gap: field data is still lagging. Teams shared examples of outdated redlines, conflicting design updates, and long turnaround times between field work and system records.
We talked with several teams about ways to tighten the loop between QA/QC and field automation. While collecting data is important, it’s even more important that the right data is captured, validated quickly, and synced reliably back to the model. For many, the goal is a smoother feedback loop between the field and the office that doesn’t rely on manual steps or after-the-fact corrections.
Session spotlight: The evolving layers of data automation
In her session Leveraging AI and Automation to Streamline Network Data, Meredith Bliss, Production Manager of Data Services at 3-GIS, broke down what automation actually looks like in telecom and why most networks are still just scratching the surface. “We see data automation having six defined levels,” she explained. “Most networks today are only reaching level three. There’s still a long way to go, which is exciting.”
Those six levels range from manual workflows with offline updates at level 0 to fully autonomous, self-evolving networks at level 5. Most operators today are stuck around level 2 or 3, where automation depends on fixed rules or conditional logic. Meredith showed how teams can start progressing through better field data capture, asset syncing, and API integration, all without overhauling their entire stack. Even small steps are helping to reduce manual work and keep data flowing more efficiently.
Show floor buzz: what got people talking
It wasn’t just telecom vendors drawing attention. Smarty address verification attracted a steady stream of visitors with an interactive booth that underscored how central accurate data is, regardless of where it sits in the network stack. Their message resonated across the board. Whether it’s verifying an address or mapping physical assets, clean data is the foundation for faster builds, better decisions, and fewer delays.
At the 3-GIS booth, the ability to see the same network in both planned and active states sparked a lot of interest. People were drawn to how pre-modeled network connections can simplify design work and cut down on rework later in the build. If that sounds like something your team is navigating, you can take a deeper look at how it works in our on-demand session, A smarter approach to managing change in live networks. The webinar walks through how telecom teams are using Planned Connections in 3-GIS | Web to visualize proposed changes, avoid traditional versioning, and speed up sales engagement. Watch the session here.
Key takeaways for network teams
- Configuration is no longer optional. Rigid systems don’t keep up with real-world deployment needs.
- Automation has layers. Most operators are only part of the way there, and that’s not a bad thing. Incremental gains still add up.
- Field-to-office sync still needs attention. Tools that strengthen the feedback loop are essential for scaling quickly.
- Clean data wins. Whether it’s for permitting, splicing, or serviceability checks, accurate network data drives everything downstream.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by Booth 1633, joined the Thursday session, or shared a hallway conversation. We’re excited to keep helping teams simplify, sync, and speed up their network data workflows.
