A Value-Added Service for Aclara Customers: Database Backup and Standby Server Program

Have you ever faced a new advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) term that you are not familiar with?

Hosted MDM Provides Options to Small- and Mid-Sized Customers

Remote, Correlated System Offers Accurate Leak Detection

Aclara Software Achieves Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Status

A Value-Added Service for Aclara Customers: Database Backup and Standby Server Program

Aclara is pleased to offer the Database Backup and Standby Server Program as part of our new line of Advanced Customer Services. This service is available to all TWACS Net Server (TNS) customers and gives the utility peace-of-mind knowing their TNS database is backed up properly and a TNS-ready server is available in the event of system or server damage. By taking advantage of this service, the utility can return to normal operation more quickly, and Aclara trains utility personnel, helping the utility become more self-sufficient.

Aclara knows that one solution does not necessarily fit all needs, so there are two options to choose from. Customers who enroll in one of the programs will benefit from accurate database exports and backups, elimination of backup downtime, and minimum damage from human error or hard drive failure. In addition, the programs increase available resources by reducing those allocated to information management, minimize restoration time, prevent natural disaster loss, and eliminate of unexpected server replacement costs.

The available options involve Aclara scheduling a weekly, recurring time to log into the utility's TNS system and perform a database export. For customers enrolled in the Weekly Database Export and Standby Server Program (Option 1), Aclara will validate the database contents, using the database backup operation, and store the contents in a fire safe at an Aclara location. A current copy of the database file will remain on the TNS server for the utility to move to another location on their network. If a replacement server is necessary, Aclara will configure a new server with the latest backup of the customer's database. For customers enrolled in the Weekly Database Export (Option 2), Aclara will verify that the export process completes without errors and will notify the customer that the export file is ready to be copied to a DVD, tape, or other server.

To learn more about the Database Backup and Standby Server Program, contact your Aclara Program Manager. For more information on other advanced customer services, see the Advanced Customer Service technology sheet on the Aclara website.

Have you ever faced a new advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) term that you are not familiar with?

A staff systems scientist for Aclara, David Haynes, had found that there was no authoritative glossary of terms for the AMI industry so he set out to develop his own. He compiled terms from various published sources, leveraged definitions from internal Aclara documents, and with the help of metering expert (the late) Ed Malemezian, developed definitions for many other terms.

The glossary is now available for use, not only by Aclara personnel, but also by the industry as a whole. By offering the Aclara AMI Industry Glossary, Aclara hopes to continue to foster collaboration and a common understanding within the AMI community.

The story doesn’t stop there however, David is working with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to build a glossary of terms for the international community. He’s become the team lead for the revision of IEC 61968-2. This document attempts to offer useful terminology for several related industries. He expects to have the draft completed this year. Aclara will be recognized in the 61968-2 document for the terms it provides. The IEC is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies. These serve as a basis for national standardization and as references when drafting international tenders and contracts.

If you would like to ask David a question pertaining to the Aclara AMI Industry Glossary or the IEC, or have suggestions for additional terms, you can email him at dhaynes@aclara.com.

David Bonnett //
Vice-President of Product Management // Aclara Software

Hosted MDM Provides Options to Small- and Mid-Sized Customers

Cost may discourage small to mid-size utilities and rural cooperatives from considering a full-fledged meter-data management systems. However, hosted MDM solutions may provide a lower cost, reduced-risk alternative to deploying these enterprise-class systems on-premise. This follows the growing trend of companies buying Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS.

The advantages of Hosted MDM systems to small and medium-sized utilities and cooperatives are significant. They are less expensive to implement than enterprise solutions in part because the utility pays no up-front licensing costs or on-going maintenance fees for the software. In addition, hardware, network infrastructure, and security solutions necessary to effectively employ MDM are maintained by the host. Plus, hosted systems can be up and running in a few months, which is a fraction of the time it takes to deploy an enterprise MDM solution.

What’s more, MDM administration costs are reduced because the host company can amortize the costs of maintaining the MDM solution across several different utilities. Infrastructure and software expenses are covered by a single yearly service fee making it easy to budget the fees associated with hosted MDM against the utility’s recurring revenue stream.

SaaS MDM systems reduce the burden of maintaining in-house IT resources, and eliminate the need for end customers to purchase and install applications that help them understand their usage details and what they can do to better manage their consumption. MDM applications are evolving rapidly, and having a service provider responsible for upgrades allows utilities to get the new features quickly without the risks associated with managing the upgrade process. For more information on hosted MDM, see Utilities With Limited Resources Get Boost from Hosted Systems.

Contact David Bonnett »

View Brochure »

Laura Wainwright //
Product Marketing Manager // Aclara RF Systems Inc.

Remote, Correlated System Offers Accurate Leak Detection

Plugging small water-main leaks is one of the major ways that water utilities reduce non-revenue water loss and positively impact water-resource-management efforts. Remote, correlated acoustic-leak detection is the best way to cost-effectively identify these small leaks before they become major problems.

The STAR®-ZoneScan (STAR-ZS) system, which combines the fixed STAR Network system with the Zonescan 800® leak-detection technology from Gutermann International, Zurich, Switzerland, is currently in pilot at a site selected by American Water, the largest investor-owned water and wastewater utility company in the U.S. This is the first time that this type of leak detection, which involves large amounts of data related to sound sampling, has been done remotely. American Water placed 200 leak-intelligence units on valves or hydrants within its pilot area. These devices check and analyze noise characteristics on the water lines at regularly scheduled intervals.

The sound samples collected by individual Gutermann units are sent back to the utility via an adapted Aclara meter transmitter located in a lid that sits on the bell of the pipe leading to the valve. A wire extending from the transmitter links it to the leak intelligence unit. The transmitter records the sound created by water flow at the valve and sends this data to the utility, where the Gutermann software correlates the data to pinpoint possible leaks.

The use of acoustic sound sampling is what differentiates the Gutermann devices from other leak-detection systems that employ simple logging devices. Other solutions assign leak values to specific points in the water distribution system to indicate the likelihood of a leak. (Gutermann devices can also perform this task.) But the leak values themselves cannot be correlated. To actually find the leak a crew must be sent to the field to do correlation testing.

Contact Laura Wainwright

Aclara Software Achieves Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Status

Aclara Software has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in ISV/Software Solutions, recognizing Aclara Software’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, Aclara Software has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customers’ needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners that have obtained this competency have a successful record of developing and implementing software based on Microsoft technologies.