ATLANTA – As meter reading and other processes become increasingly automated, utilities need to develop centralized data management strategies. By providing consistent and easily accessible data to various internal and external departments, utilities can improve efficiency and reliability, offer new services, and better understand their systems and customers, according to AMR Data Management, a new 53-page report from energy research leader Chartwell Inc.
More timely data – whether daily or at various intervals throughout the day – can be utilized by a variety of departments, from system planning to rates to outage/reliability to marketing, says AMR Data Management. The data can be used to evaluate outage situations, identify candidates for special rates, curtail demand – and more, says the report.
AMR Data Management examines the best ways to manage AMR data, and the pros and cons of using outsourced solutions vs. internally developed systems. The report includes two case studies, including one that examines why Puget Sound Energy turned to a vendor-developed system to manage its AMR data. The second case study describes how a cooperative in Arkansas proactively identifies reliability problems using an internally developed system that posts meter data to its intranet.
AMR Data Management also profiles 15 vendors that offer AMR data management and/or presentment services.
AMR Data Management, which is available for $250, is part of the Chartwell Metering Research Series, an ongoing information service that provides utility case studies, topical analysis and research centered on AMR. Membership in the series is also available for an annual subscription fee.
For information about the Series or AMR Data Management, contact us at (800) 432-5879 or (404) 237-9099.
Media contact: Garrett Johnston
