Introducing the Device Lifecyle

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to give an overview of the device lifecycle.

Device Lifecycle

When a device specialist identifies the need for new devices, like 100 double-rate electricity meters, they move on to set up a new device category, a new material and register group if needed.

The following figure illustrates the lifecycle of IS-U devices with full logistics integration.

Flowchart illustrating the device lifecycle with sections on Technology, Material Management, Meter Reading, and Installation and Work Management, showing processes like purchasing and inspection.

The device specialist is also responsible for creating a purchase requisition for this new material. Upon completion, the purchasing organization then changes this purchase requisition into a purchase order and forwards it to the respective supplier. Upon the delivery of the new devices, these arrive at the warehouse of the utility company.

Once the devices arrive, a warehouse clerk enters goods receipt for the purchase order, stores the devices at the fulfillment storage location. Simultaneously, automatic creation of 100 new device master records occurs. These records are serialized and possesses additional IS-U data which is linked to the new device category. In turn, these devices inherit the register group from the device category.

If the devices have been assigned to a technician for installations, the warehouse clerk posts a stock transfer to a van stock. This is followed by the technician's installation of the device at the customer site and confirmation of the installation with the device number, location, date, and meter readings.

Later, a backoffice clerk or an upload program posts this device installation, including the stock transfer to a hypothetical grid storage location. This is necessary because IS-U devices, even after installation, do not exit the utility company's stock. This transaction involves an IS-U-specific movement type U61 to post the stock transfer from equipment status ESTO to status INST with integrated installation.

Throughout their lifecycle, devices might undergo replacements, removals, or modifications. Device Management provides these necessary functions.

Devices are installed technically at device locations (meter operator, distributor), and for billing purposes at utility installations (all market roles). This establishes the technical and billing-related installation structure and is elaborated in the Device Installation lesson.

Topics like yearly periodic meter reading processing for normal meter residential customers are covered in the Meter Reading lesson. Meanwhile, monthly load shape processing of industrial customers with interval meters is explained in the Energy Data Management unit.

Apart from periodic reading for billing, devices may also go through random reading as part of different business transactions. This includes actions like delivery, move-in/out, installation, replacement, modifications, or removal. Such other meter reading reasons are also discussed in the next lessons.

Discover how the SAP Cloud Utilities Suite enhances the Lead/Meter to Cash process, bringing simplicity and flexibility to your business operations. Enjoy improved visibility into your customers, enabling you to deliver a superior service experience and create new revenue opportunities.

Explore the Lead/Meter to Cash process using Cloud for Utilities solutions, which bring simplicity and flexibility to your business operations. Gain better visibility into your customer base to enhance service experiences and create new revenue opportunities.

Manage Utility Meters and the Meter-Reading Processes

1. Business Example Storyline

1.1 Utilities Meter Management Demo - Storyline

The Utilities Meter Management demo visualizes key meter data issues such as tracking meters, installed locations, testing requirements, and meter history. It showcases the below functions:

Maintains street routes for new connections
Generates and downloads meter reading orders, and uploads or enters the readings
Lists and corrects implausible reads and reversal of readings

The demonstration highlights how each function contributes to efficient and accurate meter data management.

1.2 Acting Persona

Sarah Miller: Customer Service Representative

Needs:

A thorough understanding of the company's products or services to effectively respond to customer questions and concerns
Strong problem-solving abilities to manage complaints and resolve customer issues efficiently
Patience and empathetic listening skills

Challenges:

Handling certain customer complaints
Staying informed about the continuously evolving product line or services provided by the company
Maintaining a balance between delivering high-quality service and working efficiently

1.3 Value Drivers

Reduce meter reading and data administration cost
Reduce meter reading and data administration cost by leveraging strong data validation processes while processing meter data entry and corrections.
Reduce asset maintenance cost
Reduce asset maintenance cost by effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of inspection and certification processes as per the guidelines.

2. Key Takeaways

The system offers comprehensive monitoring and management of meter locations and statuses, ensuring data accuracy. It provides detailed installation information, supporting efficient route planning and service management. Adherence to testing requirements ensures meter reliability and performance. The process includes generating, downloading, and managing meter reading orders for timely data collection and entry. Additionally, it identifies, lists, and corrects implausible meter readings, and reverses incorrect entries to maintain data integrity.

3. Pre-Demo Steps and Guidelines

Master Data and Additional Information

1. Master Data

Screenshot of a table showing data under the following headings: Data, Customer/Functional Location/ Equipment, Serial Number, Device/Material, Data Type, and Data Value

Steps

4.1 Meter Master Data:
4.1.1 Optimize Asset Operation and Maintenance
The business activity of Meter Master Data primarily involves overseeing the key meter data issues, including tracking meters, installed locations, testing requirements, and meter history.
1. Note the following benefits:
  - Enhanced asset performance
  - Reduced maintenance costs
2. Note the persona: Sarah Miller, a Customer Service Representative.
  The Customer Service Representative reviews all the key data on the meter.
4.1.2 Tracking of Meters: Navigate to Meter Management Space.
1. Click on Meter Management Space.
2. To open the Functional Location Structure app, click on the Functional Location Structure app.
  The Structure View of Functional Location Review steps shown are for electric data, but the same process applies for the water and gas data sets.
3. Enter data for selection fields..
  - Enter the number in the Functional location field.
  - Click on Execute.
4. Drill into the meter.
  Double-click on the meter (green equipment number).
  Here, we can see the customer’s location, as well as the location where the device(s) are installed. One device is installed – a meter. Other devices may be installed as well, meters or other equipment. Note that the same types of tracking functions that we will see here for meters are available on any type of equipment.
5. Navigate to the IS data tab.
  Here, we can review all the key data on the meter.
  The IS data tab is the default you will see. Here, we can review the register info, which shows how many dials there are, the certification requirements, and the Current Customer (under the Master Data sub-tab). Meter reading results/history can be found on the MR Results button in the center of the screen.
Meter Purchase History: The Customer Service Representative reviews the Meter Purchase History.
1. To view the meter purchase history, click on History.
  If we navigate to the Serial data tab, and then click the History button, we can see a simple listing view of the activities this meter has been associated to.
  This history gives a simple overview, along with a key to review.
2. Click on Menu.
3. Navigate to Menu→Settings→Color Legend
  1. Click on Settings.
  2. Choose Color legend.
4. Check color legends.
  1. You can double-click to drill into any of the documents. This shows the history from original receipt (and purchase info on the receipt) to all of the installations, and work order history.
  2. Click on Continue.
5. To navigate back to the equipment screen, click the Back icon < .
4.1.3 Meter Installation History: The Customer Service Representative views the Meter Installation History.
1. Navigate to Menu and click on Menu.
2. Navigate to Menu→Extras→Usage List
  Click on Usage List.
3. Navigate back to the equipment screen.
  1. This shows all of the install locations for the meter, and the dates it was installed in each location.
  2. To navigate to previous screen, click the Back icon <.
4.1.4 Audit Log: The Customer Service Representative reviews the log to see the audit of who made what changes.
1. Navigate to Menu→Extras→Action Log
  To open, click Action Log.
2. Drag the scrollbar down.
  This shows all of the actions that have been done for the meter, and the dates these actions were done.
3. Check the logs and then click on the green tick icon.
4.2 Testing History: The Customer Service Representative views the Testing History.
1. Navigate to IS data tab, and click on IS data.
2. Navigate to the Ins. Data tab.
  Click on the Ins. Data tab to see the Inspection History.
3. Click on the Inspection results button.
4. Select the Inspection lot. Click on any one of the Inspection lot options.
5. To continue, click on the green tick icon.
6. Use the Characteristic Filter.
  1. Choose All Characteristics.
  2. Click OK.
7. Navigate to the previous screen.
  There is a lot of flexibility and power in our inspection / quality management application. We can have both quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (text, characteristic drop down) results in our test.
  Click the Back icon < to navigate back to the equipment screen.
8. Navigate to the Functional Location Structure screen.
Device Location Usage Period: The Customer Service Representative views the Device Location Usage History.
1. Navigate to Device Location.
  Double-click on the Device Location number.
2. Navigate to Menu and click on Menu.
3. Navigate to Menu→Structure→Usage Periods
  Click on Usage Periods.
4. Enter the Usage Period data.
  Enter the starting and finishing time in the From and To fields. Set a large range to see the full history say from beginning of 2010.
5. To execute and print, click on Execute and Print.
6. To navigate to the home page, click on the SAP logo.
4.2.1 Meter Reading Overview
The business activity of Meter Reading Overview involves maintaining street routes for new connections, generating and managing meter reading orders, and handling implausible reads and reversals.
Meter Reading Preparation and Order Creation
1. Note the following benefits:
  - Reduced errors in meter readings, ensuring precise billing and data management
  - More consistent scheduling and order creation help in obtaining regular and reliable meter data
2. Note the persona: Sarah Miller, Customer Service Representative.
Maintain Street Route: The Customer Service Representative manages the street route.
1. To navigate to Meter Management Space, click on Meter Management Space.
2. Open the Maintain Street Route app. Click on Maintain Street Route.
  Manage the street routes at meter reading unit level in order. Sequence the meter reading order generation with reference to the street route sequence arranged in the street route maintenance transaction.
3. Enter the MR Unit.
  1. Enter the MR Unit as ISU_M_01.
  2. Click on the Maint. button.
4. Scroll down to see the devices that are not allotted in the street route.
  You see the devices that are not allotted in the street route under the heading, Devices not allocated to a street route. If there are devices that are not allocated to street route, place the cursor on the heading, Devices not allocated to a street route, and then click Select/Deselect Node.
5. Select the Street that is not allocated to the Street Route.
6. Click on Select/Deselect Node.
7. Scroll up to bring the screen to the desired location.
8. Click on the icon next to the text, Device not allocated to a street view, to minimize the tree.
9. Select the devices allocated to a street route or meter reading unit ISU_M_01.
10. Click on Reassign Node.
11. Click the icon at the top of the tree to minimize the tree.
12. Check for the Reassigned Street.
  1. The reassigned street shows under Devices allocated to a street route for meter reading unit ISU_M_01 .
  2. To navigate to the home page, click on the Back icon <.
13. To navigate to home page, click on the SAP icon.
Meter Read Order Creation: The customer service representative creates the meter read orders for the meter reading unit.
1. Click on Meter Management Space to navigate to the Meter Management Space.
2. Choose Meter Read Order tile.
3. Fill in the details on the Execute Order Creation screen.
  1. Choose the MR Unit radio button.
  2. Enter MR Unit as ISU_Z_01.
  3. Choose MR rsn as 01.
  4. Click on Execute.
4. Choose the Sch MRD date.
  1. Choose Sch MRD date as 2 months prior to the current month.
  2. Note down the Schd MRD date.
5. To create an order, click on Create Order.
6. Navigate to the home page.
  1. Note that Meter read orders have been created successfully.
  2. Click on the SAP logo to navigate to the home page.
Mass Order Creation: The Customer Service Representative creates mass orders.
1. To navigate to Meter Management Space, click on Meter Management Space.
2. To open the Mass Order Creation app, click on the Mass Order Creation tile.
3. Enter the details.
  1. Enter Meter Reading Unit: ISU_Z_01.
  2. Enter Order creation period within a range (i.e. choose the next order creation dates)
    Note: Schd MRD of the last order creation was 06/28/2024 .Hence, the range selected is from 07/01/2024 until the last date of previous month.
  3. Choose Meter reading reason as 01.
  4. Click on Execute.
4. Navigate to the homepage.
  1. Mass orders are created successfully.
  2. Click on the SAP logo to navigate to homepage.
4.2.2 Monitor Meter Reading for Portion Mass Order Creation: The Customer Service Representative monitors the Meter Readings for Portion.
1. To navigate to Meter Management Space, click on Meter Management Space.
2. Choose the tile, Monitor Meter Reading.
3. Enter Portion details.
  1. Click on Portion.
  2. Enter Portion as ISU_M_01.
4. Provide the scheduled meter reading date range.
  1. Provide the scheduled meter reading date range: the date for which Meter Reading Orders were created in the previous steps.
  2. Click on Execute.
5. Check the Meter Read Orders.
  Check the Meter Read Orders for MR Unit ISU_Z_01 as the date on which the meter reading order was created in the previous section.
Meter Reading Entry and Estimation:
The Customer Service Representative enters the meter reading entry and estimates meter reading results.
1. Note the following benefits:
  - Automated Processes: Automating meter reading entry reduces manual errors and speeds up the billing
  - Accurate Bills: Providing accurate bills strengthens customer trust and satisfaction
2. Note the persona: Sarah Miller, Customer Service Representative.
Display Installation: The Customer Service Representative views the Installation Details.
1. To navigate to Energy Data Management, click on Energy Data Management.
2. To open the tile, Display Installation, click on the Display Installation app.
3. Enter the details.
  1. Check the Prerequisite section for Installation Number.
  2. Enter Installation as USA0000033 and hit the Enter key. Check the Prerequisite section for the Installation Number.
4. To navigate to Billing Periods, click on Billing Periods.
5. To navigate to Bill Order, click on the Bill Order tab.
6. Navigate to the homepage
  1. You find the billing orders that were created along with the meter reading orders that are created in the previous scenario. The billing order status is in red because meter readings have not been entered against them.
  2. Click on SAP log to navigate to home page.
Meter Reading Results: The Customer Service Representative enters the Meter Reading results.
1. Navigate to Meter Management Space by clicking on Meter Management.
2. Choose the tile, Meter Reading Results.
3. Enter the details on the Execute Single Entry screen.
  1. Choose the Installation radio button.
  2. Enter the Installation no. as USA0000033.
  3. Enter MR reason as 01.
4. Select the Meter Reading Date.
  1. Select the Meter Reading Date as the date on which the meter reading order was created in the previous section.
  2. Click on the green tick.
5. Click on Estimate.
6. Enter the note.
  Click on the icon to enter the note from meter reader from the possible options available.
7. Choose the note from the meter reader.
  Choose 03 Meter Reading is Ok.
8. To save, click on Save.
9. Fill in the details on the Execute Single Entry screen.
  1. Enter the Installation number.
  2. Enter MR reason as 01 (if already not populated) and clickEnter.
10. Select the different meter reading date.
  1. Select the next meter reading date.
  2. Click on the green tick.
11. Click on Estimate.
12. Check the readings that are populated.
13. Enter the implausible reads.
  Enter the meter reading which is implausible, that is, more than the upper limit or less than the lower limit and click Enter.
14. To save, click on Save.
15. To navigate to the home page, click on the SAP logo.
Monitor Meter Reading for Meter Reading Unit: The Customer Service Representative monitors the meter readings for the MRU.
1. To navigate to Meter Management space, click on Meter Management.
2. To open the Monitor Meter Reading tile, click on Monitor Meter Reading.
3. To navigate to the Meter Reading Unit, click on Meter Reading Unit.
4. Provide the Meter Reading Unit.
  Enter the Meter Reading Unit: ISU_Z_01.
5. Provide the scheduled meter reading date.
  1. Enter the date range in the Scheduled Meter Reading Date Range fields.
  2. Click on Execute.
6. Take note of the Entry Number and CN (check number).
  1. Take note of the Entry Number and Check No (CN) which are required while entering the metering reading in Fast Entry Mode.
  2. Click the SAP logo to navigate to homepage.
4.2.3 Execute Fast Entry without Correction: The Customer Service Representative executes Fast Entry without any corrections.
1. To navigate to Meter Management Space, click on Meter Management.
2. Choose the Execute Fast Entry tile to open the Execute Fast Entry app.
3. Enter details on the Execute Fast Entry Selection screen.
  1. EnterMR Unit as ISU_Z_01.
  2. Enter Scheduled MRD date noted from the previous steps.
  3. Choose MR reason as 01.
4. Enter the Entry number, CN number, and the corresponding meter reading one by one as noted from previous steps.
  1. Enter the Entry number, CN number, and the corresponding meter reading one by one.
    Note
    It is not necessary that the meter reading has to be entered for all the rows. Enter readings for only few devices.
  2. Click Save.
5. Click on theSAP logo to navigate to the homepage.
Estimate Meter Reading Results: The Customer Service Representative estimates the Meter Reading results.
1. To navigate to Meter Management Space, click on Meter Management.
2. Choose the tile, Estimate Meter Reading Results.
3. Enter details on the Estimate Meter Reading Results screen.
  1. Enter Meter Reading Unit as ISU_Z_01.
  2. Enter data in the Scheduled Meter Reading Date field.
  3. Choose Meter Reading Reason as 01 (if not already populated).
  4. Click on Execute.
4. Select the meter reading orders.
  This screen will show all the open meter reading orders without reading for the given scheduled meter reading date.
  1. This screen will show all the open meter reading orders without reading for the given scheduled meter reading date.
  2. Select the Meter Reading Orders that needs to be estimated.
  3. Click on Estimate.
5. To continue, click Yes on the popup.
6. Navigate to the home page.
  Once estimated, the success message is displayed as shown in the screenshot.
  1. The success message displays as shown.
  2. Click on theSAP logo to navigate to the homepage.
4.2.3 Meter Reading Correction
The Customer Service Representative corrects meter reads.
1. Note the following benefits:
  - Ensures accurate billing by correcting implausible and plausible meter readings
  - Builds trust through transparent management of meter reading discrepancies
2. Note the Customer Service Representative: Sarah Miller
4.3 Correction of Implausible Meter Reads: The Customer Service Representative corrects the Implausible Meter Reads.
1. To navigate to Meter Management space, click on Meter Management.
2. Choose the List of Implausible Results tile by opening the app, List of Implausible Results.
3. Click on Implausible MR Results.
4. Enter details on the List of Implausible Meter Reading Results screen.
  1. Enter Meter Reading Unit as ISU_Z_01.
  2. Click on Execute.
5. Select an entry.
  1. Select an entry for which meter readings needs to be corrected.
  2. Click on Correct.
6. To change the MR recorded in the current MR field, click on Estimate.
  Note that the MR recorded in the current MR field can be updated manually or by clicking on Estimate.
7. To release and save the entry, click on Release and Save.
8. To navigate to the home page, click on the SAP logo.
4.4 Correction of Plausible Meter Reading Results: The Customer Service Representative attempts to Correct the Plausible Meter Reads.
1. To navigate to Meter Management space, click on Meter Management.
2. Select the app, Correction of Plausible Reads, by clicking the tile.
3. Enter the details on the Execute Correct Plausible Meter Reading Results screen.
  1. Choose the Installation radio button.
  2. Enter the Installation number and click Enter.
4. Select the scheduled meter reading date for which you would like to correct the meter reading.
  Note: The meter reading can only be corrected for the records that are not billed.
  1. Select the MR date.
  2. Click on the green tick.
5. Correct the meter readings.
  1. Correct the meter readings in the MR recorded field.
  2. ChooseEnter.
6. Click Continue on the popup.
7. Correct and continue.
  1. Click Correct.
  2. If MR reads are already plausible, then the message displays as correction not possible. Click Continue on the popup.
  1. Click the Correct button.
  2. If MR reads are already plausible, then the message displays as Correction not possible. Click Continue on the popup.
8. Click on Save.
9. Click on the SAP logo to navigate to the home page.
4.5 Reverse Meter Reading Results: The Customer Service Representative reverses the meter reading results.
1. To navigate to Meter Management space, click on Meter Management.
2. To open the Reverse Meter Reading Results app, click on the Reverse Meter Reading Results tile.
3. Enter details on the selection screen.
  1. Enter Installation number as USA0000033.
  2. Click on Execute.
4. Reverse the meter reading.
  1. Click the checkbox to select the scheduled meter reading that you want to reverse.
  2. Click on Reverse Meter Reading.
5. Check the information Display Logs.
  1. Review the data on the screen which shows that the meter readings have been reversed successfully.
  2. Select the SAP logo to return to the home page.

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