BEACON Field, available for both iOS and Android devices, is a Cobalt-enhanced app that leverages advanced machine learning and large language model (LLM) technology to help field service representatives and utility personnel access and update meter data efficiently.
Utility field staff can use BEACON Field to perform key tasks that assist in troubleshooting issues such as AMI and AMR leaks and no recent endpoint communication exceptions. The app also allows users to update location and tag data and to upload images with minimal manual input. Location and tag updates generate a downloadable CSV file that can be used to update your customer information system (CIS) and billing system.
BEACON Field intelligently assists users in troubleshooting, verifying service details, and managing equipment records while on site.
Get Started: Admin Setup
To use BEACON Field, a user with BEACON admin privileges must configure role-level permissions within BEACON. This includes granting access to BEACON Field and authorizing Cobalt for specific users, as described in Access Cobalt. This ensures users can retrieve and update field data as well as ask Cobalt questions.
NOTE: A user cannot be assigned a role with access limited solely to the BEACON Field app. Each BEACON Field user must have a role that includes broader system permissions to ensure proper data access within the BEACON platform.
Get Started: BEACON Field User
Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Use your BEACON username and password to login.
When prompted, set your location services preference. If you disable/disallow location services, the app uses the utility location (its latitude and longitude as entered in BEACON) as your location.
App Sections
Map. Supports pinch to zoom gestures. With location services enabled, nearby meters are displayed. As you zoom out, meters get grouped in clusters that are shown as numbered circles. The numbers tell you how many meters are in the cluster. Tap a circle to get details for all the services in the cluster. Swipe left or right to see details for more services.
Zoom in to see individual meters. Tap a meter to open its service card.
Use the Search box at the top of the page to search by location ID, account ID, meter ID, endpoint serial number, and any other value that can be searched on the BEACON Monitor page. See Search for details.
Select List to see the 25 meters nearest to your location, displayed as text.
Filters let you to display services with:
- AMI Leaks – Continuous flow above 1 gph for 24 consecutive hours.
- AMR Leaks – Leaks detected by AMR meters and endpoints.
- Encoder Leaks – Leaks detected by encoders.
- No Recent Endpoint Communication exceptions – Endpoints that have not communicated in the previous 48 hours.
Select the Layers icon to choose whether to display imagery (satellite view) or navigation (map view).
Tap the Locate icon to center the map on your current location. Also resets your zoom level.
Tap a service card to get the following information:
Overview Tab
Displays meter, location, and endpoint details along with related photos.
TIP: Swipe up to see more information.
Select Get Directions to open the mapping app on your device. Turn-by-turn directions to the selected service location are automatically available.
The Cobalt Assist icon appears on various pages throughout BEACON Field. Select it to access in-app guidance and insights. Use pre-defined prompts for quick field use – no typing required – or type freeform questions. Cobalt then provides context-specific information or troubleshooting assistance based on the selected or entered prompt.
Account Tab
Use this tab to confirm account and location details before performing onsite actions.
- Displays Account ID, Location Address, and Service Agreement Start Date.
- Shows whether the customer has EyeOnWater enabled.
- Includes Continuous Flow, Disable Valve Shutoff, Irrigation, and Irrigatable tags.
Meter Tab
Lets you see essential meter specification and register details, including the last Billing Read, Last Read Time, and Last Read Age.
Endpoint Tab
Shows key technical data for the endpoint:
- Endpoint Serial Number
- Install Date
- Last Communication Time
- Next Communication Time
- Cellular Technology (e.g., LTE-M)
- Signal Strength
- Firmware Version
This screen helps verify connectivity and endpoint communication.
The Tools & Actions section provides field service representatives with quick access to key actions for locating, verifying, updating, and documenting meter and endpoint information while in the field.
- Lookup Device – Search for a specific meter or endpoint by account ID, meter ID, or service address.
- Barcode Lookup – Scan a meter or endpoint barcode to quickly retrieve associated service details.
- Add Photos – Capture and upload mages related to a service location, such as equipment installations and site conditions.
- Fix Device Location – Update or correct the GPS coordinates of a service using your current device location.
- Manual Read – Enter a meter reading manually when an automatic reading is unavailable or requires verification. Includes selectable Trouble Codes and Reader Codes (e.g., “Big Dog” or “Mean Dog”). Notes and comments can be added to document on-site findings.
NOTE: Recommended for one-off troubleshooting. For large-scale manual read collection please use ORION Mobile Read (OMR). - Update Tags – Edit or apply service-related tags (e.g., continuous flow, irrigation) to help classify or troubleshoot devices.
IMPORTANT: When you update location coordinates or tags in BEACON Field, those changes are sent to BEACON as a Data Exchange file. The app also collects the updated information in a CSV file that can be downloaded from the BEACON System Sync Activity List and used to update your utility customer information system (CIS) or billing system. It is essential that these updates are entered into the CIS; otherwise, future data exchanges between BEACON and the CIS may overwrite the information collected and updated in the field.
Favorites. The Favorites section lets you see specific services marked as Favorites on the Service details view or on the BEACON Monitor page, providing quick access to frequently visited or high-interest service locations. Select the More Options (three dot) menu to sort results by distance from your location or alphabetically.
History. Retrace your lookups and actions on the History page. Select Actions, Lookups, or both to see your previous activity organized by date and time. If Cobalt is enabled, the History page also lets you see and rerun previous prompts. Use this page to audit field activity and confirm which accounts were recently accessed. NOTE: History is device-centric, in other words, activities performed on one device will not be reflected on a second device. In addition, history is stored in the app. If you delete the app from your device, your activity history will be permanently removed.
Account. This screen ensures account transparency and easy access to resources by displaying your full name, utility name, roles, and username. It also provides links to resources and legal notices.
