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Smart360 Photo Read Validation (Meter Read Guardian) - FAQ's

Getting Started & Basic Usage

Q1: What is the Meter Read Guardian and who can access it? A: The Meter Read Guardian is a comprehensive platform for validating and managing meter readings designed for Validators (who review and validate individual readings) and Meter Reading Supervisors (who oversee the validation process and manage reading cycles). Both roles have access with supervisors having additional administrative capabilities.

Q2: How do I access the Photo Read Validation dashboard in Smart360? A: To access the dashboard:

  • Log into your Smart360 system
  • Navigate to the "Meter Read Guardian" or "Photo Read Validation" section
  • Select "Cycle Details" from the main navigation
  • Click on "View Readings" tab to see the current cycle

Q3: What information is displayed on the main dashboard? A: The dashboard shows the current billing cycle (e.g., May 2025 Cycle with date range), summary counts for different reading categories (Missing, Exemptions, Revisit, Pass), and tabs for organizing readings by status. You can toggle between List View and Detail View for different levels of information.

Q4: What do the different reading status categories mean? A: The status categories are: Missing (meters without readings - 130), Exemptions (readings marked as exempt - 124), Revisit (readings flagged for re-examination - 133), Pass (approved readings - 341), New Readings (newly installed meters - 3), and Pending (readings awaiting validation).

Q5: What's the difference between List View and Detail View? A: List View shows multiple readings in a table format for efficient processing, while Detail View provides comprehensive information for individual meters including images, consumption history, and detailed meter information in a single interface.

Individual Reading Validation

Q6: How do I review and validate an individual meter reading? A: To review a reading:

  • Click on a specific meter (e.g., Meter M100001) from the list
  • Review the meter image, reading details, and consumer information
  • Check for flags or warnings (GPS Mismatch, Pending status)
  • Verify the reading status and suspicious activity indicators
  • Use the action buttons (Pass, Exempt, Revisit, Adjust) based on your assessment

Q7: How do I pass a reading that appears accurate? A: To pass a reading:

  • After reviewing and confirming the reading accuracy
  • Click the "Pass" button (green)
  • The system updates the reading status to "Passed"
  • The meter is removed from the validation queue
  • The system moves to the next meter requiring validation

Q8: What information is available in the detailed meter view? A: The detailed view includes: meter image with photo, reading details (previous/current reading, consumption, days between readings), meter and consumer information (installation details, address, account number), GPS location data, consumption history graph, and suspicious activity indicators.

Q9: How do I navigate between different meters during validation? A: Use the navigation controls:

  • Click "Previous Meter" button to go to the previous reading
  • Click "Next Meter" button to move to the next reading
  • This allows sequential processing of meter readings
  • The system maintains your position in the validation queue

Handling Reading Exceptions

Q10: How do I exempt a reading that cannot be validated? A: To exempt a reading:

  • Click the "Exempt" button (yellow)
  • Select a reason code from the dropdown menu in the modal
  • Click "Exempt" to confirm the exemption
  • The reading is categorized under "Exemptions" for tracking
  • The modal will close and the reading is processed

Q11: How do I mark a reading for revisit when additional information is needed? A: To mark for revisit:

  • Click the "Revisit" button (orange)
  • In the modal, select a reason code (e.g., "RV-01: Suspicious Reading")
  • Click "Mark for Revisit" to confirm
  • The reading is flagged for follow-up and categorized under "Revisit"

Q12: How do I adjust a reading that needs correction? A: To adjust a reading:

  • Click the "Adjust" button (blue) - only available for supervisors
  • Choose between "Manual Adjustment" or "Apply Estimation" tabs
  • For manual adjustment: enter the corrected reading value and review calculated consumption
  • For estimation: select an estimation rule and apply
  • Click "Adjust" or "Apply Estimation" to confirm

Q13: What estimation methods are available for adjusting readings? A: Three estimation methods are available:

  • Average Consumption: Based on average consumption of last 3 months
  • Same Month Last Year: Uses consumption from same month last year
  • Last Month Consumption: Uses previous month consumption as estimate The system follows priority order set in estimation rules if selected method isn't available.

Batch Processing & Supervisor Functions

Q14: How do I process multiple readings simultaneously? A: For batch processing:

  • Navigate to List View of readings
  • Use checkboxes to select multiple meters
  • Click "Assign All" for bulk assignment
  • Select the action you want to apply to all selected readings
  • Confirm the batch operation

Q15: How do I handle multiple missing readings at once? A: To process missing readings in bulk:

  • Click on "Missing Readings" tab (showing count like 130)
  • Click "Estimate All" button to apply batch estimation
  • Select an estimation rule to apply to all missing readings
  • Click "Estimate All" in the modal to confirm
  • All processed readings move to the Pass tab with "Estimated" status

Q16: How do I add a new meter to the system? A: To add a new meter:

  • Access the new meter record (e.g., NEW-86754)
  • Review initial reading and meter information
  • Click "Add Meter to System"
  • Verify the Meter Number and Device Number
  • Select appropriate route and premise from dropdowns
  • Click "Confirm" to register the meter in the system

Q17: How do I transfer a meter between routes? A: To transfer a meter:

  • Click "Transfer to Route" for the specific meter
  • Select the destination route from the dropdown
  • Select the destination premise from the dropdown
  • Review the transfer implications (route update, billing changes)
  • Click "Transfer Meter" to confirm the route transfer

Q18: How do I create a service order for a meter issue? A: To create a service order:

  • Click "Create Service Order" from the meter actions
  • Select appropriate SOPs from the dropdown
  • Enter description for the service order
  • Click "Create Service Order" to submit for field team action

Data Analysis & Monitoring

Q19: How do I interpret the consumption history graph? A: The consumption history graph shows:

  • Monthly consumption patterns with color-coding
  • Normal usage appears in blue
  • Unusual usage (over 50% of average) appears in red
  • This helps identify consumption anomalies by comparing with historical patterns
  • Essential for validating reading accuracy in context

Q20: What should I look for in GPS location data? A: For GPS validation:

  • Check latitude and longitude values against expected location
  • Review "Distance Difference" from expected location
  • GPS location must match registered meter location within 100 meters
  • Flag any significant discrepancies for investigation

Q21: How do I identify suspicious activity or meter tampering? A: Look for indicators such as:

  • Suspicious activity status and remarks in the dedicated section
  • Supporting evidence images if available
  • Unusual consumption patterns compared to history
  • GPS mismatches indicating possible unauthorized access
  • Negative consumption values or illogical reading progressions

Search, Filter & Export Functions

  • Use the search field with placeholder "Search by meter ID or account..."
  • Type meter ID, consumer name, or account number
  • Use the Route Filter dropdown to filter by specific routes
  • Use Sort By options to organize results
  • The table filters automatically based on your search criteria

Q23: How do I filter readings by different status categories? A: Use the navigation tabs to filter:

  • Click "Pending" for readings needing validation
  • Click "Missing Readings" for meters without readings
  • Click "Exemptions" for exempted readings
  • Click "Revisit" for flagged readings
  • Click "Pass" for approved readings
  • Each tab shows the count of readings in that category

Q24: How do I export validation data for reporting? A: To export data:

  • Apply desired filters to the reading list
  • Click the "Export" button in the control area
  • Select your preferred format and options
  • Download the generated file for billing system integration or reporting

Troubleshooting & Best Practices

Q25: What should I do if a meter shows unusual consumption patterns? A: For unusual consumption:

  • Review the consumption history graph for context
  • Check if consumption is over 50% of historical average (flagged in red)
  • Verify the meter image for any visible issues
  • Consider seasonal factors or customer lifestyle changes
  • If still suspicious, mark for revisit with appropriate reason code

Q26: How do I handle readings with GPS mismatches? A: For GPS mismatches:

  • Review the distance difference from expected location
  • Check if the variance is within acceptable limits (100 meters)
  • Verify the meter image matches the expected location
  • Consider if the meter reader may have accessed from a different position
  • Mark for revisit if location discrepancy is significant

Q27: What should I do if I encounter a reading that doesn't make logical sense? A: For illogical readings:

  • Check that current reading is higher than previous reading
  • Verify consumption calculation makes sense for the time period
  • Review consumption history for patterns
  • Check for meter replacement or rollover scenarios
  • Use manual adjustment if you can determine the correct value
  • Mark for revisit if additional investigation is needed

Q28: How do I ensure consistency in my validation decisions? A: For consistent validation:

  • Follow standardized reason codes for exemptions and revisits
  • Apply estimation rules consistently based on data availability
  • Document decisions thoroughly using provided fields
  • Review historical patterns before making adjustments
  • Use batch operations when applying the same logic to multiple similar cases

Q29: What should I do if the estimation rules don't produce reasonable values? A: If estimation seems unreasonable:

  • Check if sufficient historical data exists for the selected method
  • Try alternative estimation methods in priority order
  • Review similar customer profiles if available
  • Consider seasonal adjustments for time-of-year factors
  • Use manual adjustment if you can determine a more accurate value
  • Document the reasoning for manual overrides

Q30: How can I improve my validation efficiency? A: To improve efficiency:

  • Use List View for quick review of multiple readings
  • Utilize batch operations for similar cases
  • Focus on exception categories (Missing, GPS Mismatch) first
  • Use keyboard shortcuts and navigation controls
  • Apply consistent validation criteria
  • Review consumption patterns before making individual assessments
  • Use the search and filter functions to prioritize problematic readings
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