AMR Deployment Managing All That Data The Typical Process Buy Meter Test Meter Ship Meter Issue...
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Transcript of AMR Deployment Managing All That Data The Typical Process Buy Meter Test Meter Ship Meter Issue...
AMR Deployment AMR Deployment
Managing All That DataManaging All That Data
The Typical Process
Buy Meter
Test Meter
Ship Meter
Issue
Install
SetupAccountStart
Billing
Remove Meter
The Typical Process – Affected Systems
BuyUpdate plant accounting and meter
records
TestUpdate meter
records
ShipUpdate
Inventory
IssueUpdate
Inventory
InstallUpdate
CIS
SetupAccountUpdate CIS
StartBilling
Update CIS with
readings monthly
RemoveUpdate meter
records & CIS
The Modified Process
Buy Meter &
AMR
Test Meter
& AMR
Ship Meter
Issue
Install
SetupAccountStart
Billing
Update AMR
System
Remove
Meter
RetrofitAMR onto
Meter
The Modified Process – Affected Systems
BuyUpdate plant accounting and meter
records
TestUpdate meter
records
ShipUpdate
Inventory
IssueUpdate
Inventory
InstallUpdate
CIS
SetupAccountUpdate CIS
StartBilling
Update CIS with
readings monthly
Update AMR
SystemUpdate Meter
to AMR association
Remove
Update meter
records & CIS
RetrofitUpdate meter
records
The Systems - Before
Customer Relationship Managemen
t
Customer Information
System
InventoryManagemen
t
Work Order Managemen
t
Route Managemen
t
Meter Records System
The Systems - After
Customer Relationship Managemen
t
Customer Information
System
InventoryManagemen
t
Work Order Managemen
t
Route Managemen
t
AMR System
Meter Records System
Outsource System
What happens during AMR Deployment?
•Increased Throughput•Installing 1,000-5,000 meters per day•Retrofitting/testing 25,000 meters per month
What happens during AMR Deployment?
More paperwork!!
Adapting your logistics to high throughput
You will be…
Adapting your logistics to high throughput
•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
You will be…
How does this affect your data?
How does this affect your data?
Increases the volume of..•Data Entry•Batch process transactions•On-line System Demand•Error Rate
How does this affect your data?
May expose…•Legacy system constraints•Limitations in system integration•System workarounds
How does this affect your data?
Will Require…•New external system interfaces•New data content including…
•AMR Inventory Information•Meter to AMR Marriage Information
Dealing with the errors…
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
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
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 it’s needed•Minimize key entry of data•Use barcodes or similar technology where possible
Managing High Throughput…
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…
Using Outsourcing Services
Benefits
•They provide a trained staff so there’s…•Reduced hiring costs•Reduced training costs•Reduced ramp up time•No temporary help needed
•Experience in costing these large projects
•They provide facilities reducing space requirements
•Reduced capital purchases on additional equipment
•Experience in handling the high volume
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
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
The Systems – Another way
Customer Relationship Managemen
t
Customer Information
System
InventoryManagemen
t
Work Order Managemen
t
Route Managemen
t
AMR System
Meter Records System
Outsource SystemMiddleware
In Conclusion…
Things to Consider
•Do we have the infrastructure to handle volume?
•Can we handle the new data requirements?
•Do all my systems play nicely together?
•Will my processes support the volume and new requirements?
•Will my information systems support the new processes?
•Will the systems I invest in continue to support us after deployment?
