Articles
MDMS: It's About Business Process Management
AMI/MDM Newsletter, January 26, 2006 by Chris King
Traditionally, a meter data management system (MDMS) is the software that accepts data collected from an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, stores the data in a warehouse, and forwards the data to utility systems such as billing. An MDMS also performs VEE.
What Can An MDMS Do To Make AMR Better?
eMeter, and our clients, see MDMS as something much more: an MDMS can be an integration and business process management platform that enables utilities to realize the full value of their (large) AMR investments. Many AMR systems collect meter data and deliver it to billing, often providing little of the extra value hoped for.
In contrast, a high-function MDMS takes advantage of all of the capabilities of AMR systems: on-demand meter reads, remote disconnect, outage alarms, restoration verification, customer service options, and more. Such an MDMS does not merely deliver data to utility systems; it also has the features, functions, and reports that make AMR an integral part of utility business processes. When so integrated, AMR can provide efficiencies and higher service levels in processes ranging from handling customer calls to making field service visits to maintaining meters.
What Are The Key MDMS Functions?
A “high-function” MDMS goes beyond simple meter data management and data transfer; it enables and manages the business processes around AMR and meter data:
- AMR installation,
- Meter data collection,
- Meter data management,
- Integration with the utility systems that use the data,
- Organizational change related to the AMR system,
- Advanced meter system operations, and
- A meter data warehouse.
“AMR installation” is all the data processes related to installation of AMR meters and communications networks – and includes all of the work needed to prepare for the installation process. The easy part is plugging in meters. The challenge is managing the installation data accurately and reliably, delivering the data to the right utility systems in the right way at the right time, and tracking the “meter life cycle.” The life cycle includes factory shipment, warehouse receipt, shop testing, programming and configuration, allocation to field installers, linking with a communications module, linking with a communications node, communications verification, data validation (right meter? right meter settings? right customer? right rate schedule?), and so on. A major task is accepting data from the field installer, validating it, and distributing it to the utility and other systems that require it.
"Meter data collection" is retrieving meter reads, sending configuration data to meters, issuing control commands to appliances or equipment linked to a variety of networks, and sending price signals and other information over a network to in-home or in-premise devices.
"Meter data management" means managing the data coming in from the AMR system, as well as information going out to it. Activities include validation, editing, and estimation of meter data; framing of interval data into billing determinants (e.g. peak, off-peak, and critical peak usage quantities for a given month that the billing system can then use to calculate the bill); automatic pre-processing and filtering of outage data; and similar applications.
"Integration with utility systems" means delivering data to external systems, receiving configuration data from those systems, synchronization, issuing and tracking of work orders when meters fail to communicate, and so on.
"Managing organizational change" is making sure that systems are synchronized and updated in a timely fashion so that users of data are unaffected as meters change, exceptions occur, new AMR technologies are introduced, etc.
“Manage advanced meter system operations” includes providing support for meter and network deployment, optimizing system performance, managing data exceptions, tracking assets, proactively managing field maintenance, and reporting on the performance of the various networks. This requires a system management database, where assets, services, meters, communications, and other system elements are tracked.
Finally, “data warehouse” is the data store that maintains the meter readings, register reads, interval records, outage and restoration events, and event logs. The data warehouse also maintains derived or computed data such as billing determinants and aggregated loads.
The Bottom Line
A utility spending millions of dollars on AMR is entitled to get the full benefits. The right MDMS will help do so by:
- Fulfilling all of the business and functional requirements set out for the AMR and MDMS project,
- Putting in place a standards-based architecture to allow new systems, both AMR and business applications, to easily integrate with and use data from the MDMS,
- Meeting cost and performance goals for AMR meters and associated communications networks and systems,
- Resolution of scalability, reliability, and security issues,
- Seamless data management and integration with utility systems,
- Support of implementation best-practices and procedures, and
- Enabling efficient AMR operations and coordination with multiple utility departments.
In the end, a business-process oriented MDMS will enable a utility to meet its strategic AMR objective: realizing the full potential of its investment.
