AMR Deployment Managing All That Data

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• AMR Deployment Managing All That Data

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The Typical Process
Ship Meter
Remove Meter
Issue
Test Meter
Buy Meter
Install
Setup Account
Start Billing
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The Typical Process Affected Systems
Ship Update Inventory
Remove Update meter records CIS
Issue Update Inventory
Test Update meter records
Buy Update plant accounting and meter records
Install Update CIS
Start Billing Update CIS with readings monthly
Setup Account Update CIS
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The Modified Process
Retrofit AMR onto Meter
Remove Meter
Ship Meter
Issue
Test Meter AMR
Update AMR System
Buy Meter AMR
Install
Setup Account
Start Billing
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The Modified Process Affected Systems
Remove Update meter records CIS
Retrofit Update meter records
Ship Update Inventory
Test Update meter records
Issue Update Inventory
Buy Update plant accounting and meter records
Update AMR System Update Meter to AMR association
Install Update CIS
Start Billing Update CIS with readings monthly
Setup Account Update CIS
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The Systems - Before
Customer Relationship Management
Inventory Management
Meter Records System
Customer Information System
Work Order Management
Route Management
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The Systems - After
Customer Relationship Management
Inventory Management
Meter Records System
Outsource System
Customer Information System
AMR System
Work Order Management
Route Management
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What happens during AMR Deployment?

• Increased Throughput
• Installing 1,000-5,000 meters per day
• Retrofitting/testing 25,000 meters per month

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What happens during AMR Deployment?

• More paperwork!!

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Adapting your logistics to high throughput
You will be
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Adapting your logistics to high throughput
You will be

• Adding new steps to your process

• Perform more testing

• Performing more meter exchanges

• Buying more equipment

• Acquiring more warehouse space

• Hiring more personnel

• Qualifying and training

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How does this affect your data?
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How does this affect your data?

• Increases the volume of..
• Data Entry
• Batch process transactions
• On-line System Demand
• Error Rate

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How does this affect your data?

• May expose
• Legacy system constraints
• Limitations in system integration
• System workarounds

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How does this affect your data?

• Will Require
• New external system interfaces
• New data content including
• AMR Inventory Information
• Meter to AMR Marriage Information

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Dealing with the errors
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Errors, what Errors?

• Errors may be caused by
• Keystroke errors. They average 1 in 300
• Inadequate training
• Incomplete processes
• Lack of validation

• High volume creates more errors
• 100 errors per month goes beyond 1000/month
• An increase in the error rate
• Compounding errors

• More errors created by
• Changes in process
• New data requirements
• New personnel

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The Cost of Errors

• Time..
• To correct errors
• Lost by delays in processing

• Money..
• The to correct errors
• Lost Revenue

• Customer Satisfaction..
• Estimated Billing gets them upset
• Back bills upset them even more

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Manage Those Errors or Fail!

• You Must Evaluate the Total Process
• Determine your weak links
• Eliminate batch processes where possible
• Eliminate workarounds
• Catch errors at the source
• Put validation data where its needed
• Minimize key entry of data
• Use barcodes or similar technology where possible

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Managing High Throughput
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Managing High Throughput
Optimize the Infrastructure

• Evaluate your metering requirements up front

• Work with your vendors

• Minimize equipment handling by
• Sample test all equipment
• Drop shipping to cross docks

• Coordinate your shop workforce with the field

• Hire a 3rd party to do it all

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Using Outsourcing Services
Benefits

• They provide a trained staff so theres
• Reduced hiring costs
• Reduced training costs
• Reduced ramp up time
• No temporary help needed

• They provide facilities reducing space
  requirements

• Reduced capital purchases on additional equipment

• Experience in handling the high volume

• Experience in costing these large projects

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Using Outsourcing Services
Managing an Outsource Service

• Audit for quality and performance by
• Sample testing meters and AMR
• Perform Site Inspections

• Manage the data interchange between companies
• May include work order data
• Meter test and retrofit data
• Installable meter lists
• Validation information

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Keep the Data Flowing..

• Evaluate your current systems and their
  limitations
• Will they limit your throughput?
• Are there built in limitations
• Are there time constraints on processes
• Will these limitations require system
  replacement?
• Use batch or on-line processes?

• Some techniques to consider
• Increase repeatability
• Reduce transaction counts
• Minimize transmission of data
• Use a middleware solution to minimize changes

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The Systems Another way
Customer Relationship Management
Inventory Management
Meter Records System
Customer Information System
Outsource System
Middleware
Work Order Management
Route Management
AMR System
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In Conclusion
Things to Consider

• Do we have the infrastructure to handle volume?

• Can we handle the new data requirements?

• Will my information systems support the new
  processes?

• Will my processes support the volume and new
  requirements?

• Do all my systems play nicely together?

• Will the systems I invest in continue to support
  us after deployment?