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Smart360 Manufacturer and Model Management - FAQ's

Getting Started & Basic Usage

Q1: What is the Meter Inventory Management system and who can access it? A: The Meter Inventory Management system allows users to manage meter manufacturers, create standardized meter models, and track meter inventory. Meter Managers have full access to create and manage models, while Meter Supervisors (Device Managers) can oversee meter specifications and track individual meter lifecycle and performance.

Q2: How do I access the Meter Inventory Management dashboard in Smart360?

A: To access the system:

  • Log into your Smart360 system
  • Navigate to the "Meter data" module
  • from the side navigation go to "manufacturer"

Q3: What information is displayed on the main inventory dashboard? A: The dashboard shows key metrics including total manufacturers, total models , total meters, and average meters per model . It also displays growth indicators, meter type distribution (Smart, Photo, Manual), and a detailed table of all meter models with their specifications and inventory counts.

Q4: What do the different meter types mean? A: Three meter types are supported: Smart meters (IoT/communication capabilities for automated readings), Photo meters (image-based reading requiring visual verification), and Manual meters (traditional manually-read meters requiring field technician visits).

Q5: How do I search for specific meter models or manufacturers? A: Use the search functionality:

  • Enter model name or manufacturer in the "Search by model name or manufacturer..." box
  • Use the filter tabs (All Meters, Smart, Photo, Manual) to narrow by meter type
  • Click the "Filters" button for advanced filtering options
  • Results update automatically based on your search criteria

Manufacturer Management

Q6: How do I manage meter manufacturers in the system? A: To manage manufacturers:

  • Click the "Manage Manufacturers" button from the main dashboard
  • View the list showing manufacturer name, country, website, contact information
  • Use search functionality to find specific manufacturers by name
  • Filter manufacturers by country if needed
  • Use edit or delete actions as required

Q7: How do I add a new manufacturer to the system? A: To add a manufacturer:

  • Access the manufacturer management section
  • Click "Add New Manufacturer" button
  • Fill in required fields: manufacturer name, country, website, contact information
  • Save the manufacturer information
  • The new manufacturer will be available in model creation dropdowns

Q8: Can I edit or delete existing manufacturers? A: Yes, manufacturer management includes:

  • Edit functionality to update manufacturer information
  • Delete capability for manufacturers not linked to active models
  • Search and filter options to locate specific manufacturers
  • Country-based filtering for international manufacturer management

Creating New Meter Models

Q9: How do I create a new meter model? A: To create a new model:

  • Click the "Add New Meter Model" button (blue button with "+" icon)
  • Complete the General Information section with manufacturer, model name, meter type
  • Fill in Technical Specifications including dimensions, flow rates, and materials
  • Configure Smart Meter features if applicable
  • Save the model configuration

Q10: What information is required in the General Information section? A: Required fields include:

  • Manufacturer: Select from dropdown or add new manufacturer using "+" button
  • Model Name: Enter unique model identification name
  • Meter Type: Choose Smart, Photo, or Manual from dropdown
  • Supported Utilities: Check Water, Electricity, and/or Gas checkboxes
  • Make Code (optional): Enter manufacturer-specific product code

Q11: What technical specifications do I need to provide? A: Technical specifications include:

  • Dial Length (mm), Dial Count, and Maximum Flow rate (m³/h)
  • Connection Size from dropdown and Weight in kilograms
  • Accuracy class selection and physical dimensions (Length × Width × Height in mm)
  • Material description (e.g., "Brass body, polymer register")
  • IP Rating for environmental protection classification

Q12: How do I configure smart meter features? A: For smart meters, configure:

  • Communication Type: Select from dropdown (WiFi, LoRa, NB-IoT, GSM, etc.)
  • Firmware Version: Enter current version (e.g., 1.2.3)
  • Battery Life: Specify expected lifespan in years
  • Feature toggles: OTA Firmware Updates, Encryption Enabled, API Integration
  • These options only appear when "Smart" meter type is selected

Q13: What validation rules apply to meter model creation? A: Validation requirements include:

  • Model names must be unique within each manufacturer
  • At least one supported utility must be selected
  • All required fields (marked with *) must be completed
  • Numeric fields must contain appropriate data types and ranges
  • Smart meters require additional configuration parameters
  • System prevents duplicate manufacturer/model combinations

Model Management & Monitoring

Q14: How do I view detailed information about a specific meter model? A: To view model details:

  • Locate the model in the inventory table
  • Click the "View" button (eye icon) in the Actions column
  • Review comprehensive model information including technical specifications
  • Access meter statistics showing total meters and condition breakdown
  • View individual meter list with device numbers and installation dates

Q15: What information is shown in the meter model detail view? A: The detail view displays:

  • Basic information (manufacturer, model name, make code, meter type, created by/on)
  • Complete technical specifications tab with all dimensions and parameters
  • Meter statistics showing total meters in system with condition breakdown
  • Individual meters list showing device numbers, installation dates, and age
  • Edit button for model configuration changes

Q16: How do I interpret the meter condition statistics? A: Meter conditions are classified as:

  • Normal: Operational meters in good condition (green badges)
  • RCNT (Recent): Recent installation or maintenance (yellow badges)
  • Faulty: Meters requiring repair or replacement (red badges)
  • Totals show distribution across your fleet for performance analysis

Q17: How do I edit an existing meter model? A: To edit a model:

  • Navigate to the model detail view or use the edit button from the main table
  • Click "Edit Meter" button (black button with pencil icon)
  • Modify any configuration parameters in the form
  • Update technical specifications or smart meter features as needed
  • Save changes to update the model across all associated meters

Q18: Can I delete meter models that are no longer needed? A: Model deletion rules:

  • Models can only be deleted if they have no assigned individual meters
  • Active models with deployed meters cannot be deleted
  • Use the delete button (trash icon) from the Actions column
  • System will prevent deletion of models with existing meter assignments
  • Consider setting status to inactive instead of deletion for historical tracking

Individual Meter Tracking

Q19: How do I track individual meters within a model? A: Individual meter tracking includes:

  • View list of all meters deployed for a specific model
  • Track device numbers and installation dates for each meter
  • Monitor meter age calculated automatically in months
  • Access detailed meter information through view actions
  • Track status and condition changes over time

Q20: How is meter age calculated and why is it important? A: Meter age calculation:

  • Automatically calculated from installation date to current date
  • Displayed in months for easy lifecycle tracking
  • Critical for maintenance scheduling and replacement planning
  • Helps identify meters approaching end of useful life
  • Supports proactive replacement program development

Q21: What individual meter information is tracked? A: Individual meter records include:

  • Meter Number: Unique meter identification (e.g., WM001234)
  • Device Number: Technical device identifier (e.g., DEV-KS-001234)
  • Installation Date: When meter was deployed (YYYY-MM-DD format)
  • Age in Months: Calculated time since installation
  • Current Status: Active, RCNT, or Faulty condition
  • Action buttons for viewing detailed meter information

Analytics & Performance Monitoring

Q22: How do I analyze meter performance across different manufacturers? A: Performance analysis includes:

  • Compare condition distributions (Normal, RCNT, Faulty) across manufacturers
  • Review total meter counts and deployment patterns
  • Analyze failure rates by manufacturer and model
  • Use condition data to inform procurement decisions
  • Track performance trends over time for vendor evaluation

Q23: What growth indicators are available in the system? A: Growth tracking includes:

  • New manufacturers added this quarter (+2 shown)
  • New models added this month (+3 shown)
  • Total inventory expansion over time
  • Average meters per model calculations
  • Deployment density and distribution patterns

Q24: How can I use the analytics for procurement decisions? A: Analytics support procurement through:

  • Comparative manufacturer performance data
  • Model-specific failure and condition rates
  • Inventory distribution analysis across utility types
  • Historical deployment and performance trends
  • Data-driven vendor selection and negotiation support

Q25: What reports can I generate from the system? A: Reporting capabilities include:

  • Export functionality for manufacturer and model data
  • Condition and performance analytics by manufacturer
  • Individual meter tracking reports with age and status
  • Technical specification summaries for procurement
  • Historical deployment and lifecycle analysis

Filtering & Search Functions

Q26: How do I filter meters by different criteria? A: Filtering options include:

  • Meter type tabs (All Meters, Smart, Photo, Manual)
  • Advanced filters button for complex queries
  • Search by manufacturer or model name
  • Filter by meter condition status
  • Utility type filtering (Water, Gas, Electricity)

Q27: What search capabilities are available? A: Search functionality includes:

  • Free-text search across model names and manufacturers
  • Partial matching and keyword searches
  • Quick location of specific inventory items
  • Real-time filtering as you type
  • Combined search and filter capabilities for precise results

Q28: How do I find meters that need replacement or maintenance? A: To identify maintenance needs:

  • Filter by condition status to find "Faulty" meters
  • Sort by meter age to identify oldest installations
  • Review RCNT status meters for recent maintenance needs
  • Use model-specific condition statistics to identify problematic models
  • Analyze age distribution to plan proactive replacements

Best Practices & Troubleshooting

Q29: What are the best practices for creating standardized meter models? A: Best practices include:

  • Use descriptive, consistent naming conventions for models
  • Include all relevant technical specifications for proper sizing
  • Configure smart meter features comprehensively for IoT integration
  • Select appropriate utilities to ensure proper billing integration
  • Verify accuracy class and IP ratings meet regulatory requirements

Q30: How should I organize meter models for optimal management? A: Organization strategies:

  • Group models by utility type for operational efficiency
  • Standardize on preferred manufacturers to reduce complexity
  • Create models for different application scenarios (residential, commercial, industrial)
  • Use make codes consistently for manufacturer cross-reference
  • Maintain clear documentation of model selection criteria

Q31: What should I do if I encounter data inconsistencies? A: For data issues:

  • Verify manufacturer and model combinations are unique
  • Check that condition totals match individual meter counts
  • Review technical specifications for completeness and accuracy
  • Ensure smart meter configurations align with deployment capabilities
  • Contact system support for persistent data integrity issues

Q32: How do I optimize the system for better performance? A: Performance optimization:

  • Regularly review and update model specifications
  • Archive or deactivate unused models to reduce clutter
  • Use search and filter functions to quickly locate information
  • Monitor condition trends to identify systematic issues
  • Leverage analytics for data-driven decision making

Q33: What validation should I perform before deploying new models? A: Pre-deployment validation:

  • Verify all required technical specifications are complete
  • Test smart meter configurations with actual devices
  • Confirm utility type selections match operational requirements
  • Review material and IP rating specifications for application environment
  • Validate that model names follow organizational conventions

Q34: How do I handle meter models from multiple manufacturers? A: Multi-manufacturer management:

  • Standardize technical specification formats across manufacturers
  • Use consistent accuracy classes and connection sizes where possible
  • Document manufacturer-specific requirements and limitations
  • Compare performance metrics across manufacturers for procurement decisions
  • Maintain vendor contact information and support documentation

Q35: What training should be provided to users of this system? A: Training recommendations:

  • Familiarize users with dashboard metrics and their meaning
  • Provide hands-on practice with model creation and editing
  • Train on search and filter capabilities for efficient navigation
  • Explain condition monitoring and analytics interpretation
  • Cover best practices for maintaining data quality and consistency
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