A Meter data management system (MDMS) saves and handles huge volumes of data collected throughout the period by smart metering devices. This data basically consists of the usage of statistics and events which are imported from the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) or automatic meter reading (AMR) systems that usually handle data collection in a précised manner. MDM is a component of the smart grid architecture being promoted by utility corporations. Meter data analytics, the study of data supplied by smart electric meters that track energy consumption, could also be included. The data then gets entered into an MDM system, which validates, cleanses, and processes it in a précised way before making it available for billing and analysis.
There are some of the fundamental processes for managing, centralizing, organizing, categorizing, localizing, synchronizing, and enhancing master data by the company’s sales, marketing, and operational strategies is meter data management system (MDMS).
The following are examples of products for meter data:
- Smart meter deployment which helps in planning and management;
- Meter and network asset that is used for monitoring and management;
- The most popular meter-to-cash system, workforce management system, asset management system, and other systems are also present there which are mostly used.
- A Meter data management system (MDMS) may also include reporting tools that are used for loading and demand predictions, management reports, last but not least customer service metrics.
How is meter data management system beneficial?
MDM integrates, masters, and shares data across all your systems, including ERP, CRM, and eCommerce. It enables you to construct a 360-degree picture of your data, including everything from customer purchasing history to product availability and supplier interactions.
- Prioritize product, service, and business efforts that improve sales, and de-prioritize those that waste time and resources.
- Improve the accuracy, visibility, and clarity of data to accelerate data maturity in digital business.
- Allow data openness to fulfill customers’ growing need for tailored, data-rich experiences.
Challenges of MDMS:-
- Synchronization of data:- The MDMS’s data must be synchronized with data from other major systems. Customer movements collected in the client list should be replicated in the billing, the MDMS, and the AMR head-end technology to ensure that new customer information is properly paired with proper meter data in real-time.
- Integration of systems:-The MDMS-to-other-utility-system interfaces must achieve two goals at once: they must enable efficient processing while decreasing processing time, and they must be flexible enough to handle future system modifications. PG&E uses three different IT techniques to achieve these objectives at the same time.
- Configuration of the system:- A MDMS deployment involves many system configuration concerns, such as rules, groups, group alarms, and constants. Because they can influence client billing, these settings demand a clear governance structure and versioning.
- Synchronization of time:- The MDMS interacts with various systems, each with its own set of processing cycles, and synchronizing them is a difficult task that demands concentration and attention. It also has an impact on California customer billing, which is regulated.
Conclusion:- Considering AMI technology adoption will make one understand that it would not be cheap or simple. Integrating a Meter data management system (MDMD) solution into the evaluation of AMI technology and formulation of the AMI strategic strategy will pay off. It will assist one with both the deployment and subsequent benefits realization files. People who have already invested in AMI will realize that adding an MDMS will help them get the most out of it as MDMS is not yet a commodity. The utility should carefully select the appropriate MDMS solution using its AMI bus.
