Title
Meter Reading System Upgrade (NB)
Executive Summary
Staff recommends the purchase of equipment from Itron, Inc. to upgrade existing meter reading equipment.
Explanation
The Utility's Meter Operations technicians rely upon the use of Itron meter reading equipment to read service meters owned by the Utility on a monthly basis. The handheld equipment stores system parameters, routes and statistics in a relational database, while the software provides field employees with an efficient means for collecting reads in the field. The system also provides users the business rules for meter reading routes, such as skipped or must-read meters and work order processing. The application server software processes and assigns routes to the handheld and data collection devices and prepares the route data to be exported for billing. The system provides standard report templates along with customized reports for specific business needs.
In order to ensure the continuous operation of the meter reading system an upgrade of equipment is required. New parts to repair the equipment are no longer available and Itron will eliminate support of the equipment after March 2007. These devices are necessary to complete day to day meter reading tasks for the foreseeable future without regard as to which DSM alternatives may be chosen for implementation in the near and long term. Purchasing solicited and received a written quotation for the new handheld and docking station equipment from Itron, Inc., which includes on-site training and a $13,000 trade-in credit. Existing software will support the new equipment, which eliminates the need to procure new software. In addition, the Itron system is compatible with the SAP software being implemented with GRU's Customer Information System (CIS). Itron has supplied solid performance assurance, customer service and technology innovations. An annual service agreement will cover the maintenance of the equipment.
Recommendations
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