Image Field Collection System With Itron Mobile

ImageField Collection Systemwith Itron MobileItron’s latest generation mobile data collection system

Field Collection System (FCS) with Itron Mobile is a data collectionsystem designed specifically for today’s utilities. FCS is a stateof-the-art, open-architecture software that integrates with Itronnetworks, existing billing systems and data analytics systemsfor flexible data sharing and management capabilities.Itron Mobile is a meter data collection tool kit designed fortoday’s mobile employee that allows companies to get themost value and efficiency from their field workforce while alsoenhancing employee safety. Itron Mobile enables laptop, tabletand smartphone meter reading and data collection in a flexible,affordable system that keeps you connected to your mobileworkforce throughout the workday.FCS and Itron Mobile combine all the best features from decadesof experience with innovative new features that will fulfill yourmobile data collection needs, now and in the future.Itron Mobile Laptop

Field Collection System and Itron Mobile in a Hybrid Network DeploymentARCHITECTUREThe FCS application server softwareimports and assigns routes to mobiledevices, manages data collected in the fieldand exports data to billing and analyticssystems. When in a hybrid configurationwith a data collection network, FCS importsbilling reads and applies those to metersthen dispatches the unprocessed meters tothe mobile workforce. The Itron Mobile appprovides field employees with an efficientmeans for collecting meter reads and othervaluable data, and performing related workin the field, using a wide variety of mobiledevices.FlexibilityFCS is off-the-shelf software that is highlyconfigurable, allowing the utility to adjust thebusiness rules for office and field processes.The Itron Mobile app operates on AndroidTM,Apple iOS and Windows 10 platforms,allowing the company to choose the bestmobile device for each employee whetherthat is a smartphone, tablet or laptop.SecurityAutomationThe FCS security system simplifies userand password management by leveragingMicrosoft Active Directory. Role-basedsecurity allows office and field managers toeasily oversee operational rights of groupsand individual users. Data is encrypted as ittravels between the FCS database and theItron Mobile devices, ensuring privacy.The integrated Unattended schedulingsystem reduces office work requirementsby using flexible and intelligent tasks toperform work automatically at any timeof day. Job status notifications improvereaction times and reduce time spentmonitoring the system.DatabaseFCS interfaces seamlessly to existingcustomer information and billing systemsusing XML, CSV, Premierplus4 and MV-RS import/export file interfaces. A variety ofother interfaces link FCS directly to powerfulapplications such as Itron Security Manager,RouteSmart , MV-90 xi, Itron EnterpriseEdition and Itron Analytics to providean easy migration path to value-addedoutcomes that are required as businessneeds evolve.FCS stores system parameters, routesand statistics in a relational database.FCS supports Oracle and Microsoft SQLServer databases. These open databasesystems allow utilities to mine the data inthe FCS database to satisfy a variety ofbusiness needs.ReportsOver 40 standard reports and templates areavailable along with the tools and abilityto customize reports according to specificbusiness needs.Integration

ITRON MOBILEAccurate, Efficient and SafeData CollectionItron Mobile is a meter data collection toolkitdesigned for today’s mobile employee. Theapp allows for manual and automated datacollection using a variety of device types.Flexible and AffordableThe Itron Mobile app is available forAndroid, Apple iOS and Windows 10and can run on smartphones, tabletsor laptops. This unmatched variety ofchoices allows the company to choosethe best and most affordable device foreach employee.ConnectedThe mobile workforce can be onlinethroughout the day. Data synchronizationuses any Internet connection (cellular, Wi-Fi,or Ethernet) from anywhere the mobile userhas an Internet connection: at home, in theoffice or in the field.Safe and EfficientItron Mobile is designed to get the user tothe meter as safely and quickly as possible.Codes and messages associate eachmeter with location tips and hazardousconditions. Codes and messages can beadded to the main display, called up whendesired, or pop-up at the start or end of thework order along with audio and vibrationalerts. Mapping is available to all users tohelp get them to the meters as quickly aspossible. Meters are displayed on the mapand reflect the priority and status of eachmeter.Data CollectionIn one app, Itron Mobile includes keyeddata entry for visual reads and walk-byand drive-by modes for advancedautomated meter reading (AMR). Datais stored instantly and safely in devicememory and periodically sent to thecompany data center using Itron cloudcommunications.Anyone equipped with an Itron Mobiledevice can collect meter reads and othervaluable information about company assetsand perform a variety of other field activitiesneeded by the company.Visual Meter ReadingAt the heart of Itron Mobile is visual meterreading perfected during Itron’s 40 yearsof experience. A robust read validationprocess provides an accurate and certifiedreading to ensure accurate billing. Eachread is compared to high and low limitsdefined for that meter. For any read that isoutside the limits, the user completes oneor more validation tasks as defined by thecompany’s business rules.Asset ManagementItron Mobile can be used to collect datato improve company operations and fulfillregulatory requirements including photos,surveys, GPS coordinates and more. Getthe most from your mobile workforce byalso managing basic field service activitiessuch as investigations, meter exchanges,maintenance, and service disconnect andconnect, which can be completed manuallyor remotely.Bluetooth to connect to a variety ofmobile devices. Drive-by data collectionuses a Windows 10 laptop or tablet withthe vehicle-mounted MC3 radio. Itronradios support wake-up and bubble-upendpoints and include full two-way wirelesscommunications for Itron’s latest generationadvanced AMR endpoints.Advanced AMR EndpointsItron’s latest generation endpoints providecapabilities typically seen only withexpensive AMI solutions. Itron Mobilemakes these endpoints available at thelow cost of AMR. Itron Mobile can collecttime-synchronized interval data, electrictime-of-use reads, acoustic leak sensordata, cathodic protection reads and more.Remote disconnect and connect areavailable for electricity, gas and water usingencrypted two-way communications. Anyemployee with Itron Mobile can performthese tasks, freeing up highly skilledemployees to perform more complexwork. Given this broad data set andsystem flexibility, Itron Mobile withAdvanced AMR can significantly improveoperational efficiency, customer serviceand system integrity.ADVANCED ENDPOINTCOMMUNICATIONSSince inventing automated meter readingin the 1980s, Itron has shipped over 100million AMR/AMI endpoints. Itron AMR canbe deployed selectively on hard-to-readmeters, in select regions or across theentire population and easily migrated toAMI, providing a safe and smart investment.Itron AMR ensures accuracy, significantlyincreases efficiency and improvesemployee safety by eliminating exposureto hazardous conditions.Itron Mobile Radio(actual size: 3.20" W x 5.66" L x 1.53" H)Itron Advanced AMR RadiosItron radio technology has evolved with therapidly changing needs of the industry.Walk-by data collection is performed withthe compact Itron Mobile Radio that usesItron MC3 Radio(actual size: 13" W x 11.25" L x 2.75" H)

OUTCOMESFCS and Itron Mobile begin by deliveringaccurate and certified meter reads forbilling. Special reads, such as move-in/move-out and check reads are completedautomatically using out-of-route AMRreadings. Customer service is improvedwith interval data, photos and survey datato supplement what the customer servicerep knows about the customer and theirusage. Conservation programs are enabledusing interval data and leak detection.Disconnect and connect tasks are optimizedby using the meter reading workforce andthrough remote dis/reconnect endpoints.Regulatory requirements and assetmanagement needs are met using surveys,photos and GPS coordinate collection.Investigations are completed quickly withphotographic evidence and interval datahistory.Improved Data SecurityItron Mobile employs data encryptionand advanced user authentication, aswell as role-based functional security. Userauthentication is required prior to accessingany data. Data access is limited based onthe company’s organizational structure andposition of individual employees. Upper-levelmanagers may view all data, while otheremployees see only data relevant to theiroffice. Additionally, Itron’s latest generationof radio-based endpoints can be operatedin an enhanced security mode whereradio transmissions are encrypted andauthenticated, enhancing security for thecompany and their customers.Reduced CostsItron Mobile operates on a variety of mobiledevices, allowing the company to select themost cost-efficient device whether that bea smartphone, tablet or laptop. In manycases the employee may already havea compatible device. With the ability toset more than 400 processing options,companies can deploy FCS without costlyinternal IT or third-party softwarecustomizations.Increased Operational EfficiencyModern mobile devices allow for a varietyof connection options and the Itron Cloudenables secure data transfer using anyInternet connection. Employees no longerhave to report to the office to load andunload data and can spend more timecompleting productive work. Data transferthroughout the day allows the supervisorsto monitor completed work and reassignemployees where they are needed most.Automated meter reading is significantlyfaster and more reliable than manual meterreading, reducing the number of resourcesdevoted to meter reading and reducing thenumber of attempts to access metersblocked by locked gates, dogs and otherobstacles. Enhanced FCS reports providemanagers multiple export formats and datathat is automatically summed by office andcycle. FCS collects, stores and matchesout-of-route reads to unprocessed meters,reducing work dispatched to the field byexploiting reads already collected. Whencombined with datalogging, telemetry andother capabilities, FCS and Itron Mobilereduce special trips to the field and givethe mobile employee time to performmore valuable work.Increased Field SafetyAccount and meter-specific information canbe proactively displayed on the collectiondevices to provide updates or cautions tomobile employees. Employees can benotified of this critical information usingaudible tones or through vibration for noisyenvironments (for the hearing impaired)and to avoid potentially alerting dogs totheir presence. With location tips andmapping on all devices, Itron Mobileenables the employee to find assetsefficiently. When used with Itron’s wirelessendpoints, Itron Mobile enhances employeesafety by significantly reducing encounterswith potential obstacles such as dogs andirate customers, which is especiallyimportant when reading meters anddisconnecting services.