Overview
Over the past 17 years, ITOnline's meter reading applications have evolved from
propriety hand held computers, PDAs, Web browsers, Windows smart phones to the
Android smart phone. The arrival of Android and rugged smart phones
like the Motorola Defy, Samsung Xcover, Sony Erickson and not to mention a number of protective and waterproof cases for the non rugged
phones, provide us with the best choice of hardware ever and the most versatile meter
reading tool
to date.
The Challenge
The challenge was to take the best features of our real time Web based meter
reading system and the old PDA applications and provide a real time meter reading
app that can store 1000+ properties for off and online reading, Including:
- Real time updates when in range.
- An intuitive interface for the meter reader.
- Use of the phones features such as:
- Text to speech & voice recognition for hands free operation.
- Capture, reference and send photos.
- GPS tracking.
- Maps for property location.
- AMR meter reading for walk & drive by.
Trials
The New Android app was trialed at the Gosford City Council in November 2012 along side their Web
based meter reading system. After a successful initial trial, it was rolled out
to all of their meter readers for the start of their January 2013 reading cycle.
Results
Although early days, the Android app has met all expectations
Typically we find new technology meets resistance from end users, but to our surprise the new App has been positively received by meter readers who provided the following feedback:
- "liking it a real lot!"
- "Big Improvement- love the speed"
- "Just put it in and your got the next one - no delay at all"
- "The upgrade was really simple to do"
- "The voice input works well, but only on quiet streets."
The only real negative feedback was regarding the choice of smart phones and tablets
and the effect of sunlight on the screen, the Samsung
was better received than the Motorola as the screen works better in sunlight,
however, some users preferred the compactness of the Motorola.
There were a number of minor teething problems experienced which have since been
rectified such as the app not displaying correctly on some phones. A more details on
the phone variations will be released in a future report.
We have yet to determin the number of meters that can be read and stored on the
phone. Gosford, at last count, had readers with more than 10 days worth of work
with no noticable impact on performance, or storage. In theory we could store a
whole cycle of readings, however, the ideal is to have readings saved on the
phone as a backup until thay are exported to the billing system.
After the success of the Gosford trial the CASYS and Android was rolled out
at the Wyong Shire Council begining with a single reader and after a few minor custom enhancements,
Wyong have
now rolled it out to all their readers.
The Future
The next round of enhancements will be determined by the ongoing feedback from meter readers and their supervisors.
In the meantime the following features are in development.
Integrated photos: we're currently testing the new photo feature where
our meter reading app integrates with the camera to enable the meter reader to
take a photo which is referenced to the account/meter and is automatically
uploaded to the server in the background and is available within seconds to the
supervisor.
We expect this application to enhance functions such as:
- Special reads where the meter can be read as well as photographed to
provide a beyond doubt solution where a photo of the meter face is stored with
the reading.
- Can't reads - such as; locked gate, savage dog.
- Defective, or damaged meters
- Surveys of properties, safety hazards etc.
GPS Tracking: With most phones having an integrated GPS we are able to
store coordinates with the meter reading for applications such as:
- Meter Location
- Proof of attendance
- GIS updates
Maps: for property location More so for rural meters where
we have a location for the meter, this feature will enable the reader to locate
the meter more efficiently.
Update
Since this case study; photos and GPS locations have had the expected impact on the meter reading processes. Check reads have mostly been eliminated and most meters have now been coordinated using the GPS. The supprise result was the use for customer service, the high/low photos for meter reading and the before and after photos for maintenance provide a valuable tool for dispute resolution.
We have since added the following Android modules:
- Meter Maintenance
- Asset Audits
- Trade Waste
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