What's the difference between the gas asset package and the utility network?

[neomapper]

What's the difference between the asset package and the utility network? We have a distribution gas pipeline geodatabase with service lines and meter information but we're not sure which to use and where to begin. Can anyone help guide us? Thank you

[JohnAlsup]

The Asset Package is  a way to transmit or transfer all the Properties of Utility Network without the same restrictions as a Utility Network.  The Gas Asset Package provides a predefined Gas Model with all the Utility Network properties defined which has also been thoroughly tested to ensure scalability and correct tracing results.  This model can be either a complete model or a starting point for a customer to modify, reducing the time it takes to build a Utility Network from scratch.  Our advice is to start with the Gas Asset Package, test it without modification and learn the Utility Network first.  Then perform a mapping of your source data to the Gas Foundation Asset Package.  Also, if you don't like the names of some items, you can rename them using the Rename function within the Asset Package.  

[RobertKrisher · Accepted solution]

The Utility Network geodatabase is a fully-functional standalone geodatabase loaded with sample data to let you quickly try out the utility network.

The Asset Package geodatabase is used for when you're ready to start converting your own data into the Utility Network.

[JSchroeder]

Great answers by John and Robert. Here is some additional information regarding Gas UN/UPDM documentation:

Because a significant number of gas users are familiar with the Geometric Network and ArcMap, the task framework in Pro may often be overlooked because of a lack of familiarity. This is where a lot of the documentation for the UN, data model, and workflows are located. It should be helpful to spend some time reading through the different steps as you explore the solution and test and configure the capabilities.

Here is an additional link which discusses the asset package in greater detail:

Introduction to the asset package