MAP 3D versus ArcGIS

looking for some advice, knowledge, pointers, tips, etc.

can i use map 3d to start/manage a water and sewer utility gis system and have the capability of creating shape files and data tables that can be transferred/unloaded/merged into arcgis?

if so, what would be the best practice for accomplishing this. we don't want to jump into the major expense and learning curve of ArcGIS up front, but need the capability of utilizing
the data and resources we have and will have in map 3d.

thanks

Sorry, i missed spelled ArcGIS in the title. hope that hasn't caused this to be ignored.

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to use Map 3D to start out your GIS system. The data can be read with Map 3D. Once you are ready to move to ArcGIS, the modified data can be exported to a format ArcGIS can use. An open source alternative to ArcGIS is QGIS. I've used if for some of my GIS needs, but I don't do a lot of GIS work.