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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…