This unit provides an overview of the key components of IS-U: Device Management, Work Management, and Meter Reading.
Device Management is vital for the SAP S/4HANA Logistics integration and overseeing IS-U devices, which form the groundwork for billing. Work Management contributes to the SAP S/4HANA Service integration of specific IS-U maintenance processes and services. Meter Reading is responsible for scheduling and computing both sporadic and regular meter reading results.
The first phase of the Meter-to-Cash process (M2C) in SAP S/4HANA Utilities is to gather regular meter reading results for billing.
When it comes to billing, the supplier is only required to manage data that's relevant to billing such as the serial number, rate data, billing factor, and the results of the meter reading. To accomplish this, 'device info records' are used instead of actual devices as they don't contain technical specifications.
The meter operator in Germany and distributors in other countries handle data relevant to both billing and technical specifics. They use real devices, supplemented with technical data like storage location and the actual location of the device for this process.
This unit shifts its focus to the second method of Device Management. It involves using real devices and a thorough integration of logistics.
Device Management and Meter Reading Overview
Device Management supports the SAP S/4HANA Logistics integration and the management of IS-U devices as the basis for billing.
When an IS-U device category is formed, it simultaneously establishes a material with an identical number in Material Management (MM). This device category incorporates IS-U-specific details such as the register group along with MM-specific data, for instance, the price of the material. The device category collects and consolidates the data from various devices of the same type, making it a necessary step for the fabrication of devices.
The inception of an IS-U device leads to the concurrent creation of equipment with a similar serial number in Plant Maintenance (PM). The device houses IS-U-specific data, such as the meter reading results, and PM-specific information, such as the location of equipment. The process of installation sets the device technically into the IS-U device location, which aligns with a PM functional location. From a billing perspective, the device is initiated into the utility installation, which is exclusively an IS-U data relic.
Device Management covers IS-U-specific data and functions, which go beyond the standard Logistics:
- Device Technology defines the billing-relevant register groups (electricity, gas, water, heat) and winding groups.
- Device Installation controls the technical and billing-related installation as well as rate data maintenance in the installation structure.
- Device Inspection controls the sampling procedure, the periodic replacement and the generation of work orders for the replacement devices.
Material Management enables the purchasing and inventory management of IS-U devices.
Work Management generates internal work orders in PM and external work orders in CS to execute IS-U-specific technical processes.
Meter Reading supports the organization and processing of periodic and aperiodic meter reading result determination.
Meter Reading is a pure IS-U function without integration into other SAP components.
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 figure illustrates the lifecycle of IS-U devices with full logistics integration.
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.