In this section we will illustrate how to input data manually using the data entry interface in the system. We will use a "purchased and used electricity" meter to illustrate the point, but note that each meter has a different set of input fields.

Opportunities for the user to make mistakes by selecting the wrong or inappropriate fields/options are removed and only valid selections for that meter, in that jurisdiction, in that sector are shown to the user. This makes the process very straight forward for even novice users.

Step 1: To search for a meter you wish to add data to, navigate to the Meter Manager screen by selecting the Data Management icon at the top of the screen and  and clicking Meter Data fro the drop down menu. . Once on the Meter Manager screen, use the tree view (A), date period (B), utility type (gas, electricity, water) (C) and search filter (D) to filter the list. Once you see the correct meter click select beside the meter ID.


Step 2:You will then see the meter data analysis screen for that meter. Ensure the meter data tab is selected at the top. To add new data, click on the "Add New Data Item" button under the chart and select the type of entry you wish to make from the Add New Data Item dropdown as highlighted below. The options are : add data item from Invoice, Supplier Statement, Meter Reading and From Other Source.  As it is a metered item (options include Gas, Electricity or Water), the user has the option to input the reading directly from the meter. The system will automatically calculate the quantity consumed based on the previous and current meter reading.

 

Step 3: On the next screen the user can enter the new data item/record. 
For this example Invoice input option is chosen:

 

Next the user is required to input the 

  • Start and end date of the data item
  •  Quantity consumed (if a user does not have a quantity value, they can extrapolate see section 10 of this manual)
  • Meter reading – options include actual reading or estimate reading
  •  Cost and currency (optional)
  •  Unit of quantity
  •  Supplier this is optional and chosen from an existing supplier list in the system. If a supplier is not available in the list, you can add it by following the instructions in section 4.6. 
  •  Reference type the source of the quantity, for example a bill, meter reading, supplier statement
  •  Reference ID this is a reference from the source of the quantity, for example a bill number, invoice number etc… The reference and reference ID are for audit purposes
  •  Meter number – MPAN/MPRN number of the meter
  •  Meter serial number – this is optional, the serial number of the meter
  • CRC Exclusion - Apply an exclusion to a meter (only applies to UK organisations that are affecting by the 
  • Notes - Any notes or comments the user wants to add. 

Step 4: If desired the user can upload any document or image to serve as an audit trail using the “Add New Document". This would commonly consist of scanned PDF documents of the original invoices or photos of odometers, meters, or refrigeration unit information plates are also uploaded.

Step 5: Then click Save. The new piece of data is then reflected in the Meter data chart at the top of the screen.