• Adequate power outlets. At a minimum, you will need one outlet for the
communications/charging stands, one for the computer, one for the printer, and one
for the monitor. Also consider the needs of any other office equipment (e.g. desk
lamp, etc.) in the area.
• An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). This device will prevent data loss due to a
power outage. Care should be taken to assure that the UPS has sufficient capacity
to operate the PC. Ask your dealer if you are unsure.
5. Your meter reading equipment should be received and installed at a location convenient
to the PC. The charging process for the Sensus HHDs should begin as soon as they
arrive (full charge takes about four hours). In addition, the units should be continually
charged when not in use. If you are using AutoGuns, these will also need to be charged
(full charge takes about four hours for these as well).
Note
:
Communications stands include necessary for installation on a PC with one available
Serial Port. If the customer PC does not have an available Serial Port, a USB to Serial
adapter cable may not run properly without serial connections in place.
6. Depending on the billing software being used, you will need to build the files for at least
one meter reading route and become familiar with the billing software procedure to
create this route.If you are billing from a mainframe computer, your programmers or
consultants will need to:
• Install the PC to mainframe communications board and cables;
• Make software changes to the mainframe;
• Provide software for the emulator or communications;
• Define the data structure for passing data between the mainframe and PC;
• Be able to transfer data (ASCII test file) between the AutoRead software and the
billing computer.If using a standard billing software package, you will need to send
a sample "route" file, created at your location, along with an explanation of the
file's layout. This should be sent via regular mail or e-mail to:Sensus Metering
Systems450 N. Gallatin AvenueUniontown, PA 15401Attn: Technical Services (Or E-
Mail to: [email protected])
Note
:
The sample route file must be created at your location to ensure that the file interface
is correctly installed. This also enables Sensus AMR Services personnel to verify that
the data has been properly entered.
If your PC needs to communicate to Sensus HHDs, some additional steps may
be necessary to verify communications from the PC to the HHD. For PhonRead
systems, a communication test must be performed to verify communications
between PC and modem. These steps can usually be performed by telephone
within several minutes. For additional details, Sensus Metering Systems Technical
Services at 1-800-638-3748 (1-800-METER IT).
7. Contact the AMR Services Group if you have any questions regarding the preparations
for start-up.
8. Upon receipt of an approved sample route file, you are placed in the queue for start-up
training and will be contacted by an AMR Services representative to schedule a training
date.*AMR refers to all Sensus Meter Reading SystemsTouchRead, PhonRead , and
RadioRead.
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