Smart metering rollouts are fraught with delays, cost overruns and unintended consequences. Some projects never leave the pilot stage. Others roll-out with hidden problems that attract negative media attention. Many encounter long delays during the implementation process.

Based on experience with dozens of utilities over many years, eMeter has packaged the best practices from around the world into SmartStart, our unique methodology for integrating the volumes of data produced by automated meters with the utility’s current application infrastructure. SmartStart enables the utility to accelerate implementation while minimizing risks and take advantage of proven, workable, flexible models on how to incorporate smart meters into their network and IT infrastructure.

Using the SmartStart methodology, utility personnel partner with eMeter professional services and eMeter’s licensed system integration partners to achieve:

Rapid Deployment
With SmartStart, utilities can complete implementation of eMeter software in half the time, with half the cost. For example, utilities can implement Meter-to-Cash and be ready for testing as soon as 10 weeks after project kick-off, as shown on the SmartStart timeline below.

Active Knowledge Transfer
From the first day, the project team is configuring their application on a fully functioning test system.  Trainers and Solutions Architects guide the Project Team on industry best practices, while utility staff identify differences in approach.  The utilization of a fully functional environment allows the project team to complete multiple ‘What If’ scenarios to see the impact of their choices and facilitates a deeper understanding of the application than traditional methods allow.  Utility personnel emerge from the development and deployment process engaged, knowledgeable and confident in their ability to get the most out of eMeter technology and successfully roll out smart metering capabilities.

Reliable Results
By adopting SmartStart’s carefully defined process, template-based configuration and pre-packaged test cases, utilities follow a reliable, repeatable and proven path to success.

With SmartStart, utilities get industry-beating time to market, mitigate implementation risks, and shave as much as 60% off of software implementation costs. Contact us to learn more about how your smart metering initiative can:

• Show results quickly to earn buy-in of stakeholders
• Build the foundation to guide further software refinements
• Develop staff expertise to extract most value from eMeter software
• Follow repeatable, reliable process for customer success
• Encapsulate knowledge derived from decades of advanced metering experience
• Lower cost of software deployment and maintenance