EDIST 2017

Implementation of Innovative

‘Next Generation’ CIS Software

Strategic Positioning for the

‘Tipping Point’

Presenters: Rachel Moraghan – Settlement Analyst, Waterloo North Hydro

Aaron Melo – CIS Support Analyst, Waterloo North Hydro

Marianne Blasman – Vice President Information Technology Services, Waterloo North Hydro

The Tipping Point

“The tipping point is that magic momentwhen an idea, trend or social behaviourcrosses the threshold, tips and spreads like

wildfire”.

Malcolm Gladwell

Navigant Research (2013)

Utilities can no longer ignore the challenges of upgradingtheir billing and CIS to meet future requirements

Solutions must be Specific to the Regulatory Environment

Rich MDM data for LDC analysis and Billing processes

Time to Re-engineer new Business Processes

microFIT/FIT and Netmetering

Automated Settlement Processing

and Global Adjustment

True-up

Automated Streamlined Business

Processes

Licensed / Private Cloud SaaS / Hosted

Multi-Platform Single

Architecture

Customer DrivenFunctionality

Customer Mobile Web Presentment

Management and User Configurable Business

Rules (Billing / AMI Health)

Real Time Mobile Processing

PINGING Meter Locations (CIS / GIS / OMS Integration with AMI)

Innovative ‘Next Generation’ CIS Software BenefitsSharing Data between CIS, MDM, OMS, GIS & SCADA

Improved CustomerServices and

Operational Efficiencies

Easier Adaptation to New Regulatory Policy

AMI MV90 Walk Reads

Streamlined / AutomatedBusiness Processes

CENTRAL REPOSITORY

Innovative Next Generation CIS SoftwareKey CIS Functions

kWh / KW KVA KVAR

Voltage Current Locations

HOEP / GA Multipliers

BILLING DETERMINANTS

CT / PT Electronic ROI Meters

Billing Templates / S.O. Templates

Billing Rules / AMI Health Monitor

AMI REAL TIME PING

CIS FUNCTIONSAccount Wizard• Move In • Move Out• New Account

Effectivity Based Transaction Processing

• Move In / Move Out• Customer Deposit

Returns/Transfers

microFIT/FIT/Net Metering

Streamlined Billing Hub • Thresholds• Edits

Customer Service Hub

Automated Settlement

(1598)

Electronic ROI

Bill Consolidation

Delinquency and

Collections User Configurable

Rules

AMI Rules Engine

USER CONFIGURABLE BUSINESS RULES

All Rate Classes

AMI MV90 Walk Reads

Streamlined / AutomatedBusiness Processes

CENTRAL REPOSITORY

FinancialskWh / KW KVA KVAR

Voltage Current Locations

BILLING DETERMINANTS

CT / PT Electronic ROI Meters

Billing Templates / S.O. Templates

Billing Rules / AMI Health Monitor

USER CONFIGURABLE BUSINESS RULES

AMI REAL TIME PING

CIS FUNCTIONS

Inventory

Provincial MDM/R

G.I.S.• Transformer /

Meter Location• PING Meters

Outage Management

System

Asset Management

HOEP / GA Multipliers All Rates

Integrated MDM (ODS)

MobileWork Force

Management

AMI HEAD ENDPING

• Instant Voltage

• Instant Current

Innovative Next Generation CIS SoftwareIntegrated Systems

Innovative ‘Next Generation’ CIS SoftwareImproved Cost Savings

Cost Effective Capital Investment

Annual Controllable Cost $

Innovative ‘Next Generation’ CIS SoftwareTipping Point Challenges and Solutions

More Complex Regulatory Environment

• Rate Structure: TOU / Tiered / Hourly

• Delinquency and Collection Prescribed Rules

• Bill Print Configuration

New and Improved Streamlined Business Processes • Corporate Wide Perspective • Continual Close Collaborative Discussion Within Team

Innovative ‘Next Generation’ CIS SoftwareImplementation Challenges

Team Construction and Resource Allocation

• Balanced Selection of Team Members across Corporation • Billing / Customer Service / Credit Services / Metering / Operations /

Finance / Regulatory / Information Technology Services

• Cohesive and Agile Implementation Team

• Time Commitment

• Some Dedicated Resources

• Non-Dedicated - Balance of Project Tasks and Daily Job Duties

• Project Management • Facilitate Collaboration / Application Knowledge / IT / Effective Problem

Solving / Business Priorities

Innovative ‘Next Generation’ CIS SoftwareImplementation Challenges

Data Mapping and Conversion

• Convert as Much as Possible

• Verify, Verify, Verify

• Practise Load Process

• Significant Time Investment….

However High ROI for Users

Innovative ‘Next Generation’ CIS SoftwareImplementation Challenges

Unit Testing / Systems Testing / Parallel Testing • Documented Test Plans

• User Acceptance Signoff (Parallel)

• Staging of Data• Back Dated Parallel / Internal MDM / Provincial MDM/R

• Complexity of Billing Scenarios• Identification / Creation / Execution / Analysis

• Business Process Flow thru from Meter to Cash

• Consider ‘Mock Go Live’

Innovative ‘Next Generation’ CIS SoftwareLessons Learned

• Executive Support is Critical

• Remain Results Oriented

• Maintain Sense of Humour!

• Increase Meals Budget

• Promote and Embrace Change

• Stay Focused on the Positive

Words of Inspiration

“If you always do what you always did, you will always get

what you always got.”

Albert Einstein

Question Period

Innovative ‘Next Generation’ CIS Software