Field Collection System (FCS)

Product Update

Rich Layton

Sr. Product Manager

Itron Inc.

Liberty Lake, WA

Overview

» Field Collection System is Itron’s latest generation

meter data collection system

» Provides route, assignment and data management for

handheld and mobile meter data collection

» Natural advancement from previous generation

systems (Premierplus4, Integrator, MV-RS, others)

» Designed to reduce costs by being:

• Flexible

• Backwards Compatible

• Easy to Train, Easy to Use and

• Highly Automated

Architecture» FCS Server Group: One or

more servers hosting data processing, handheld communication and optionally the FCS database

» Desktop PC: Running FCS Desktop application for system operations

» Mobile Collection: Itron Drive-by AMR devices

» Handheld Collection: FC300 or FC200 running FCS handheld application

» Related Applications: Such as RouteSmart, MV-90 xi, IEE and other utility applications

Related

Applications

FCS Server Group

Application / Communication / Database

CIS

and

Billing

Desktop

PC

Mobile

Collection

Handheld

Collection

Technology

» Client / Server Architecture

• Microsoft™ Windows Server 2003, 2008 and 2008 R2

• Microsoft™ Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7

• Microsoft™ .NET Framework

• Web Services using XML Interfaces

• VMware ESX 3.5 and 4.0

» Database and Report Engines

• Microsoft™ SQL Server 2005, 2008 and 2008 R2

• Oracle 10g and 11g

• Crystal Reports XI

User Interface

» Flexible and User Friendly!

» Users select columns to display and default sort criteria

» Status Indicators of Text or Colorful/Meaningful Icons

» User preferences preserved in central location

» Faster task processing with Drag and Drop features

» Easy to use filters and detail views

» User specific rights and data access

» Powerful, centralized control capabilities

» Run tasks on demand or automatically in Unattended

» On-screen tips and screen sensitive Help

User Interface

Security» FCS Desktop Application Security

• Ability to login using Windows Active Directory (LDAP) with Single Sign-On ability

• Application security includes password controls and logs

• Control employee rights using roles and data access

» FCS Handheld Application Security• Configure to validate username and

password, username only or allow any username

• Manage multiple employee types with Roles and Profiles

• All User IDs, Roles and Profiles are available on every handheld

File Interfaces» Flexible - Choose your file interface:

• Select import and export file format: FCS XML, MV-RS HDL/HUL, Premierplus4 MRI/MRE

• Export meter readings by route, account or meter

• Dedicated export features for IEE MDM, MV-90 xi and Out-of-Route reads

» Reduce Costs:• Import and Export route data using the

same file formats used today and those included in new systems

• Reduce test and training time

• Eliminate costly programming projects

• Consolidate meter reading operations on a single FCS server

– Link to Multiple CIS

– Configurable Import and Export tasks

– Select File Format

– Filter by Organization

Routes and Assignments

» Simply double click any

route to get a quick list

of all assignments for

that route

» Lock and Unlock

download for selected

cycles, routes and

assignments

» Drag and Drop routes

onto employees to

create assignments

» Monitor employee status

with graphical indicators

» Master Assignments

streamline creation and

enable automation

Out-of-Route Readings (OOR)» Collect and Store

• From Itron ChoiceConnect Fixed Network

• From Mobile Collectors during normal route processing

• From Handhelds during normal RF route processing

• From Handhelds in Unattended Reader mode– Automatic and continuous as utility employees traverse the utility territory.

– Get value from handhelds that are normally idle

• Store OOR Readings in the FCS database– Unattended will delete old readings after a utility defined age

» Apply• Use OOR Readings to complete unprocessed meters within FCS

– Utility defined range for valid read dates

– Manual and Unattended process options

• Reduce work sent to the field

• Reduce the number of Force Complete (estimated) readings

• Single CIS interface for handheld-mobile-network cycle based billing

» Reporting and Exporting also available

Unattended» FCS Scheduler can

automate all daily tasks

» Job based, not list based, adding more flexibility and ease of use

» Calendar can automatically fill in work days, load groups and cycle schedule

» Scheduling Jobs is easy, like scheduling meetings

» Intelligent pre-conditions ensure desired execution

» Advanced post-conditions allow for error recovery and notification via email

» Job processing will restart automatically if rebooted

Reports» Integrated Crystal Reports XI

• Over 40 standard reports

• Handheld and Drive-by data consolidated on same reports

• Use reports as templates to create your own integrated, custom reports

• Run on request or schedule, individual reports or groups

• Reports include route, cycle, organization and grand totals

» Multiple Output Options• Send to File, Screen or Printer

– Uses standard Windows printing

• Many export file types: Word .DOC, Excel .XLS, Adobe .PDF, Crystal .RPT, Web .HTML, Text .TXT, Rich Text Format .RTF

Dashboard» Provides managers

meter data collection status across the enterprise

» Dashboard can be filtered by any organization from company down to any one office or district

» Displays Key Performance Indicators

• Route Status by Scheduled Read Date

• Route Status by Critical Read Date

• Read Percentage by Cycle

Handheld Software

» Compatible with FC300 and FC200 handhelds

» Touch Screen and keyboard navigation

» Vibration Feedback option on FC300

» GPS Capture feature

» Advanced Survey Capabilities and up to six

surveys per meter

» Powerful Search and Filter Features

» Automatically backs up routes before deleting

» IP communications more than four times faster

than serial communications

» Supports all Itron ERTs, SCM+, OpenWay SCM

and Datalogging

» Out-of-Route Reads and Unattended Reader

» Screen Sensitive Online Help

Solid State Meter Support» Optically interrogate all of the most popular

electric meters and data recorders from: • Elster (ABB),

• General Electric

• Itron (Schlumberger),

• Landis & Gyr,

• and more…

» Hirose port optical probe:• Data Sourcing Technology

• uData Net, Microtel, etc.

» Read process options:• Time of Use and Load Profile data

• Time Reset and Demand Reset

• Reduce time at device by using Partial IDR reads

» Flexible Interval Data Export using MV-90 HHF or Lodestar format

Mobile Collection

» MCLite provides a flexible handheld-based design for

routes with mixed read types:• Supports up to 10,000 in-route reads

• Multi-Route Capable

• Easily switch between traditional walking mode and automated driving mode

• Supports all Itron ERTs, SCM+, OpenWay SCM and Datalogging

» MC3 provides a powerful laptop-based AMR solution: • Supports up to 100,000 In-Route reads

• Collect up to 100,000 Out-of-Route reads

• Multi-Route and Multi-Tone Capable

• Supports all Itron ERTs, SCM+, OpenWay SCM and Datalogging

• GPS mapping features makes route processing more efficient

• Eliminate manual file transfers by automatically loading and unloading MC routes across your network using FCS and ExpressLink direct communications

Advanced Metering» 100W and 100G Datalogging ERTs

» 40 days of daily and hourly data is stored in the endpoint • Specific Date/Time Index Read

• 40 Daily Index Reads

• 40 Days of Hourly Interval Reads*

• Additional Data

» Fulfill a number of utility needs:• Move In/Out read minimizes off-cycle reads and special truck rolls

• Daily Reads for Billing Disputes and enables Customer Service resolution during initial phone call

• Mid-Cycle Rate Changes without estimation

• Monthly Gas Load Balancing

• Hourly Data for Commercial/Transport Customers, Load Studies and Projections

» Available using Handheld, MCLite and MC3• Collected along with Standard Consumption Read (SCM/SCM+) as

part of Normal Monthly Meter Reading Route

» Export data to data warehouse and directly to IEE or MV-90 xi

The New Itron Endpoint Message: SCM+

» The original Standard Consumption Message (SCM) has been in use since

1986 and is used in over 84 million endpoints

» The SCM has exceeded its limitations and will be replaced by SCM+ which

includes expanded capabilities

» All utilities using ERT-related products are affected

» SCM+ will require newer Itron radios, updated Itron software and probably

changes to other utility systems (CIS, etc.)

» SCM+ will be released in electric endpoints starting in late 2012, with gas in

2013 and with water in 2015

» A letter was released and is available providing many details

Key Points Regarding SCM+

» All utility software systems and interfaces must be compatible with 10 digit

Endpoint IDs

• Original SCM is limited to just over 67 Million unique IDs (8 digits)

• SCM+ allows for over 4 Billion unique IDs (up to 10 digits)

• SCM+ will remain in 8 digit range (up to 99,999,999) for a couple years with timing

of change to 10 digits dependant on market demand

» Itron SRead radios with updated firmware are needed

• FC300SR, FC200SR, MCLite, MC3, CCU 4.2, CCU100, RPTR100, BCR900

• NOT Capable: G5R, G5SR, FC200R, MC2, MC1, DCU, DataPac, 8chRPTR

» Updated Itron software is needed to interface with the radios

• FCS v2.3 and higher are compatible with SCM+

» Questions…