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Running the Logic Billing Interface. PAMI-WGE-0064-01. Familiarize billing personnel with the functions of the Logic Billing Interface. The goal for this module is to:. Module Goal. Billing Overview Preparing Billing Data Viewing Historical Billing Data Billing and Rate Plan Analysis.
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Running the Logic Billing Interface PAMI-WGE-0064-01
Familiarize billing personnel with the functions of the Logic Billing Interface. The goal for this module is to: ModuleGoal
Billing Overview • Preparing Billing Data • Viewing Historical Billing Data • Billing and Rate Plan Analysis
Billing Overview Section One
Describe where the Logic Billing Interface fits into the utility’s billing process. • Recognize the role of the data synchronization process. Section One Objectives
Billing Workflow Before AMI—Without Logic Billing Overview
Billing Workflow After AMI—With Logic Billing Overview
Data Synchronization Billing Overview • Data sync process is enabled at installation between Logic and CIS/Billing system • Pulls data from existing CIS/Billing system • Matches data in Logic • After installation, data sync is performed automatically on a daily basis through data sync file • Keeps information associated with each meter in sync between Logic and CIS/Billing, e.g. active meters, UOM, billing cycle etc. CIS/Billing Meter Data Sync
Logic Billing Procedure Billing Overview • Upload the Input File • From Utility Billing system • Contains list of meters to bill • Run Logic Billing Interface • Insert validated meter read data • Send the Output File • To Utility Billing system
Preparing Billing Data Section Two
List the three steps used to generate billing data in Logic. • Create billing information using the billing interface. • Monitor the status of the billing request. • View the details of the billing process. Section Two Objectives
Running the Billing Interface Preparing Billing Data There are three steps to prepare the desired billing data – 3 Monitor the progress of the billing request 2 Enter the required information 1 Navigate to the Billing Interface
Step 1: Navigate to the Billing Interface Preparing Billing Data • From the main screen, Actions > Billing > Run Billing Interface
Step 2: Entering the Required Information Preparing Billing Data • Select your Billing File Type • Select billing file to process, File Name to Load • Select the Read Date • Use Billing Schedule • Specify Read Date • Accept the default Output Filename or enter a custom one • Optionally check Change Status to Billed • Click Submit
Step 3: Monitoring the Progress of Billing Interface Preparing Billing Data • When complete: • Each job receives an Execution ID • View details of the job by clicking the Billing Interface details link • Print the page by clicking Print • Complete the process by clicking Close An error occurs if the billing interface is run when there is already a file with the same name in the output directory.
Viewing Detailed Results Preparing Billing Data • Clicking the link in the Processing Billing Interface window opens details about the billing Header Table
Describing the Billing Process Details Screen Preparing Billing Data Divided into 2 sections: • Billing Process Header: provides a summary of the billing execution including number of successful and failed reads • Billing Process Details: displays a list of meter Ids, read dates, passed or failed validation status, location number, the previous read value, current read value and the unit of measure If a register read is not found, the current read, status and read version are blank.
Viewing Historical Billing Data Section Three
View historical billing data in Logic. Section Three Objectives
Query Billing Interface Executions Viewing Historical Billing Data • Used to query a summary of past billing interface executions • Accessed in Logic at Actions > Billing > Billing Process Executions • Displays a list of corresponding billing interface Execution Ids and files • Select an Execution ID to view the Billing Process Details • Select a filename to view the input or output billing files
Viewing Historical Billing Data: Step 1 Viewing Historical Billing Data • From the main screen, click Actions > Billing > Billing Process Executions
Viewing Historical Billing Data: Steps 2-3 Viewing Historical Billing Data • Enter search criteria for the billing of interest • Most commonly used is the Process Date Range • Click Submit to view a list of all billings matching the search criteria
Viewing Details of a Selected Billing Viewing Historical Billing Data • From the resulting list, you can: • View details of the billing by clicking the Execution ID link • View the archived input file by clicking the Archive Input filename link • View the archived output file by clicking the Archive Output filename link
Describing the Billing Process Archive Files • Viewing Historical Billing Data • Archive Input file • Used to create the selected billing data • Archive Output file • Displays the content of the output file used for billing
Billing and Rate Plan Analysis Section Four
Perform a bill calculation using an existing rate plan in Logic. • Explain the rate plan comparison process. Section Four Objectives
Performing a Rate Plan Comparison Billing and Rate Plan Analysis • Key tool in Logic to compare two rate plans for potential customer savings • Also provides useful analysis from a utility company perspective • Bills are calculated for a rate plan and bill period then stored in Logic
Rate Plan Comparison Workflow Billing and Rate Plan Analysis
Defining Rate Plans Billing and Rate Plan Analysis • Customers always want to lower their utility bills • Many companies offer different rate plans for their customers • Rate plans can vary by season, usage or time of use • Rate Plan Examples: • Time of Use (TOU) rates: differing rates based on off-peak, on-peak usage times • Tiered rates: differing rates based on usage • Equal Payment Plan: paying a fixed average amount each month • Logic accommodates a number of rate plans to be used for informational and analytical purposes • Rate plans are typically established by the system administrator
Step 1: Calculate and Persist Bills Billing and Rate Plan Analysis • Select Actions > Billing > Run Bill Calculation and Persistence • Select a Rate Plan ID • Enter a Start Date and End Date • Click Submit • Repeat for second Rate Plan ID
Performing Rate Impact Analysis Billing and Rate Plan Analysis • Compares the bill calculations of two rate plans • The report can be run in three different modes: • All meters • A specific meter • Meter Groups • Results display in two tables
Step 2: Rate Impact Analysis Billing and Rate Plan Analysis • Select Reports > Billing > Rate Impact Analysis • Select the meter option (all, specific or group) • Enter the Bill Period Start Dates • Enter the Bill Period End Dates • Select Rate Plan ID 1 • Select Rate Plan ID 2 • Click Submit
Analyzing Results Billing and Rate Plan Analysis Displayed in 2 tables • First table shows the impact of the two plans: the difference between the two plans for the average bill • Second table shows the impact in buckets, illustrating the number of meters and percent of meters with a specific dollar impact Table 1 Table 2 Select the number of meters to display the Rate Impact Meter Details
Analyzing Details Billing and Rate Plan Analysis For the selected range, displays the rate plan charges for each plan separated by Meter ID In this example, there are six customers for the selected range of $10 – $15 more on rate plan 2 Rate plan 2 costs these customers a total of $72.20 more than rate plan 1
True or False? Logic delivers validated data to the utility’s billing system. True. Note also that validating the data in Logic significantly reduces the amount of processing required by the CIS billing system.
Data synchronization is required to keep information associated with each meter in sync between CIS/Billing and Logic. When is the data sync performed? • Monthly • One time only at implementation • Hourly • Daily
Number the following steps of the Logic Billing Procedure in the order in which they occur: _ Send the output file to the billing system _ Run Logic Billing Interface _ Upload the input file from the billing system 3 2 1
Which menu is used to view previous billing data in Logic? • Actions > Billing > Billing Process Executions • Actions > Billing > Run Billing Interface • Reports > Billing > Billing Results Summary • Reports > Billing > Billing Results Details
Performing a rate impact analysis requires multiple steps. What step is performed prior to running the rate impact analysis report? • Meter Usage Comparison Report • Calculation and Persistence • Billing Results Summary • Calculation and Persistence for each rate plan ID
Why is the rate impact analysis report generated? • To compare the difference between two rate plans • To generate a customer bill • To create a new rate plan • To validate the billing interface execution