Sync BEACON and Billing Systems

As utility customers move or meters and reading technology are installed and replaced, it is essential that the data in your customer information system (CIS) match the data in BEACON AMA. Use the process described below to exchange data and synchronize BEACON and your CIS.

Data Exchange
BEACON uses Data Exchange files. Data Exchange files are spreadsheets that conform to the Data Exchange Specification. Each row of data in a Data Exchange file corresponds to an encoder register, its location and the account that it has been or will be associated with. Compound meters require a separate row for each encoder register.

The data contained in a Data Exchange file is a combination of information collected in the field, typically during endpoint installation, and data from your CIS–your billing, accounting and meter management systems.

Follow these steps to exchange and synchronize CIS data and BEACON:

1. Download the Data Exchange Specification file on this page of the User Guide.
2. Open the file using a spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel®.
3. Use the details contained in the Data Exchange Specification to guide you through the process of mapping data from your CIS to Data Exchange Spec-compliant fields (columns named exactly as they appear in Column B of the Data Exchange Specification and rows that conform to the maximum lengths and formats defined in the Data Exchange Specification).TIP: When naming your Data Exchange files, use meaningful descriptions to help you identify the tasks performed by a particular import.
4. Export a Data Exchange Spec-compliant file in CSV format from your CIS.
5. Login to beaconama.net by entering your user name and password.
6. Click the Assets tab.
7. Drag and drop the file onto the Drop Zone in the Import module.
   Note: Files must be 70MB or less.Each time you drop a file onto the Import module, the system scans the file for issues. When the test run is complete, the date, time, how many records are ready to be imported are displayed along with the name and email address of the person who performed the import.To accept an import, click the Approve Import button.  To stop an import, click the Cancel Import button. Click the Download File link to review the original Data Exchange source file.  Click the Exceptions link to open in a new window or tab the Exceptions Report created during the import test run. The combined total of errors and warnings is shown next to the Exceptions link, letting you quickly see whether you need to open the report and correct any errors or proceed with the import.
   
   When the import process is complete, the number of records imported is displayed along with Download File and Exceptions links on a new line in the Activity List.
8. Correct any errors in your Data Exchange file. Save the file and then repeat steps 7 and 8. When satisfied with the Data Exchange file, click Approve to complete the import process.