(Last updated April 23, 2018)
The Data Exchange process lets you use CSV-format spreadsheet files to define water consumption targets for individual accounts in BEACON. Water consumption targets enable water budget reporting and EyeOnWater features.
Use the information on this page to better understand the terms and information called for in the Data Exchange Consumption Targets Specification.
Use the steps below to define water consumption targets in BEACON:
Before proceeding:
- Verify that your utility has a BEACON account and that your billing and other customer information systems have been synchronized with BEACON
- Verify that each consumption target Account_ID, Location_IDs and Service_Point_ID match and already exist in BEACON or the consumption target will be rejected.
- Download the Consumption Target Template.
- Open the file using an application such as Microsoft® Excel® or Sublime Text.
- Use the details below to guide you through the process of completing a spreadsheet with properly named columns and corresponding data.Note: For a given account, use a single row in the spreadsheet to define one target period. For example, to supply six target periods, use six rows in the spreadsheet.
- When complete, save the file in CSV format.
- Login to BEACON.
- From Assets>System Sync>Import, drop the file onto the Drop Zone.
- Approve the import.
Understanding the Terms in the Consumption Target Specification
The Consumption Target Specification describes the CSV-format spreadsheet file columns and rows needed to define per-account consumption targets in BEACON. Like other Data Exchange files, the column names must exactly match the Column Heading shown.
Use the details in this table to better understand the information called for in the specification.
All Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
| Column Heading | Description |
| Account_ID* | Unique identifier of the Account used for billing purposes. |
| Location_ID* | Unique identifier for the Location where the service is being provided. |
| Service_Point_ID | An identifier used to distinguish between multiple service hookups at the same Location. The combination of Location ID and Service Point ID represents a single point to which a meter is to be attached. |
| Target_Unit_Of_Measure* | Unit used for the consumption target amount. Enter one of: GAL, CUBIC_FEET, CF, CCF, KGAL, CUBIC_METER, LITER, IMP or AF. |
| Target_Date* | Date YYYY-MM-DD denoting the date in the month the target applies to. This date should be as close as possible to the end date for the usage amount reported on the consumer’s monthly bill. |
| Indoor_Target* | The indoor target amount for the location if the utility has indoor and outdoor targets. If you only have one target, then use this field. |
| Outdoor_Target | The outdoor target amount for the location if the utility has indoor and outdoor targets. If you only have one target then set this to 0, leave this field blank or do not include the field in your CSV file. |
Water consumption targets let utilities establish and monitor usage budget goals for individual accounts and locations. Account_ID, Location_ID and Service_Point_ID identify the account and service location, independent of the meter installed at the service.
Account_ID and Location_ID are required. Service_Point_ID is required when there is more than one meter at a given location. If not provided, Service_Point_ID defaults to 1.
Key Explanations:
Target_Unit_Of_Measure lets you specify the unit of the target amount. This field is not case-sensitive and supports entries of GAL, CUBIC_FEET, CF, CCF, KGAL, CUBIC_METER, LITER, IMP or AF.
Use Target_Date to specify as closely as possible the last day of the billing period the target applies to for a given account and location.
Target_Indoor and Target_Outdoor let you assign a different budget goal to a given location based on where the consumption takes place. If your utility does not differentiate between indoor and outdoor usage, use the Target_Indoor field to enter the target amount and leave the Target_Outdoor field blank.
