tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363416592012-01-31T02:25:04.939-08:00Electric Utility Management Systems will help companies to improve its efficiency and productivity. However, the key point of successful system is to have solid definitions of business processes involved.Adminnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1041100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-16905644760901782792009-03-30T15:29:00.000-07:002009-03-30T15:36:53.868-07:00

One of the practical way to reduce your electric bill is by modifying a little bit your overhead garage door opener. By default, there are connected 24 hours a day to stand by waiting signal from your remote control. With a little modification mentioned in this ebook, you can have additional switch to have them turn off while you are at home. This could cut the cost by 50% alone. More tips can

Adminnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-34407852750435028952008-09-21T05:03:00.000-07:002008-09-21T05:07:57.865-07:00

Project Management Office (PMO) exists in the central organization to monitor all the running projects in the company. PMO controls the management of the projects, programs or the combination of both.Thus, in a nutshell, PMO support and control Project Manager (PM). In details, the difference of PM and PMO are below:PM controls the resources achieve the project objectives, while PMO optimizes

Adminnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-21572977825891004812008-09-04T02:17:00.000-07:002008-09-04T02:34:02.076-07:00

With the increase of electricity rates, our electricity bills are increasing even if you usage/consumption remains the same. There are several ways to reduce the cost of your electricity bill. From illegal by doing meter by pass to legal ways.The legal ways can be done just by reducing the electric consumption. It can be done by choosing lights or appliances that consume less energy. Another

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-82032569706186113212008-09-01T13:19:00.000-07:002008-09-01T13:24:48.320-07:00

With the increase of oil price in the world, people have been looking to create their own small bio diesel production at home. Is it difficult? If you follow the step by step of making bio diesel at home ebook, it would be very easy. You can start saving hundred or even thousand of dollar every month. See it your self this ebook about making bio diesel at home.

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-76821564796920430952008-04-26T12:42:00.000-07:002008-04-26T12:54:32.896-07:00

Many electric companies install meter inside customer's property for the following reasons:1. To avoid that the meter is being stolen.2. To avoid weather conditions like rain, hot temperature, etc.3. To avoid people vandalism.These type of strategy does not seem to be very strategic in today life. Especially in the big cities where are most couples are working and do not have somebody in the

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-21435910968745837162008-04-11T16:12:00.000-07:002008-04-11T16:30:33.724-07:00

Previous post was discussing about paying the electric bill with credit card. The idea is to make a payment before due date to avoid the hassle of disconnection done by the electricity company. Recent movement of electricity companies is to shorten the due date to collect money faster. It is a strategy to reduce the commercial cycle (reading-billing-collection). Aside from collecting money

Adminnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-13887301868563623192008-04-10T14:58:00.000-07:002008-04-10T15:17:26.527-07:00

Paying electric bill is something routine that we need to do it every month. Well, it depends on your electric provider whether they are issuing the bill monthly or quarterly. If you noticed, every years, the electric company becomes more strict in deadline of payments. If you pass the deadline without paying the bill on time, in 1 or 2 days, you will get a notice of disconnection right away.

Adminnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-8849503759905127972008-03-14T12:01:00.000-07:002008-03-14T12:18:43.262-07:00

In my previous post, I wast posting about how to by pass meter (electricity meter). The commonly done is by tampering electric meter. Tampering does not always mean to open the meter and manipulate the internal process of the meter. The common meter tampering is just by use magnet to slow down or to stop completely the disc rotation.I was looking at this video that I found. The author of

Adminnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-61668881060717505052008-02-17T10:10:00.000-08:002008-02-17T10:15:51.674-08:00

One of the first things that you should do when looking at your ability to make your home more cost efficient is to know just what you are currently paying. By taking the time to determine what you are currently spending on energy, you can better determine which areas you have the potential to save with. In each area of the country, there are different rates, different co ops and a wide range

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-89024953615114559732008-02-16T12:39:00.000-08:002008-02-17T10:16:27.188-08:00

In most countries, the tariff of electricity keeps on increasing. One of the reasons is because the raw material to make to energy arises for the past years. Limitation of energy pushes government to regulate tariff with higher prices with the objective that customer will use electricity wisely. In this post and the following posts, I would try to discuss the method you can follow to case

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-87865972212545593802008-02-13T08:15:00.000-08:002008-02-13T08:50:08.179-08:00

Electricity Digital Panel Meter or for short Digital Meter has been available in the market by different vendors. The question arises for Electricity or other utility companies in general if they need to invest in digital meters.Digital meters are NOT all Automatic Meter Reading (AMR). Digital meter is just like analog meters but displaying measures in digital, while AMR is sending the meter

Adminnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-83869708006775433252008-01-27T11:57:00.000-08:002008-01-27T12:28:58.093-08:00

The term project becomes so familiar in our every day work. The successful projects running in companies often tempt to have more projects to be launched simultaneously. Upper management could easily forget the important of solid project team member to drive the projects to be successful. As defined in "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) Third Edition", the

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-3083710453169180272008-01-23T10:47:00.000-08:002008-01-23T11:04:30.605-08:00

In some utility company, the meter information stored in billing system is not reliable. This situation could happen when utility company pays too much attention of customer ID or service ID or property ID or other ID to locate and identify the service. It means that when doing meter reading, the readers tends to look for those IDs instead of meter information. If your company is guilty of

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-36159388371073856332008-01-20T11:44:00.000-08:002008-01-20T12:08:59.629-08:00

As project manager, you tend to be invited to some informal meetings. These informal meetings could take place in restaurants, golf courts, or even casinos. That it why as a project manager, one should as well enhance his or her social knowledges for other sports and/or activities during leisure time. A common interest could make an informal meeting more relax. Imagine a situation where you

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-74704283080419318912008-01-19T09:56:00.000-08:002008-01-19T10:19:16.936-08:00

"Analysis and Design" Phase is a phase in Project Management for Application or Software. During this process, a consultant or analyst will do depth analysis on the current situation and relate them with the application, software, or system that are going to be implemented or enhanced. Though it is one of very important phase in the project management, there seem to be ignored or not paid

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-24312377505137171152007-12-17T12:56:00.000-08:002007-12-17T13:26:00.241-08:00

Working in the project requires me to travel into some countries. Calling to my family or offices abroad becoming my daily routines. To reduce the cost of calling abroad, I make use of Internet Phone Service. There are many providers out there that can give you good rate for Long Distance Phone Rates. However, make sure that you have good internet connection. Otherwise, your calls will be

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-75771272649757265762007-12-12T10:24:00.000-08:002007-12-12T10:37:53.167-08:00

Recently, I was sending the meter readers to the field to obtain some of the meter brands and model in customers' properties. To my surprise, they returned with different lists on the same area. Even though meter readers always going to the field to read meters, it is NOT necessarily mean that they know the meter brand and models. Why?1. When they read the meters, they only read the meter

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-6530043650365107912007-12-07T08:33:00.000-08:002007-12-07T08:50:12.728-08:00

As mentioned in my previous post regarding the importance of external communications in implementing new billing system, project management should take the campaigns of external communications seriously.One way to launch external communication campaigns is through website. Project management should choose the web hosting company to put all web sites files. Sounds difficult to choice a right

Adminnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-82698254466506753082007-12-07T07:56:00.000-08:002007-12-07T08:23:32.397-08:00

Communication in project management are mostly relied on email exchanges. Data are passed as well trough email communications. Email accounts should be able to be accessed and downloaded using Email application in laptop so that the emails can be read even though the project team members are off line.To minimize the cost of having reliable email server, project management can look for hosted

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-47090007822383588792007-11-29T16:52:00.000-08:002007-11-29T16:59:37.255-08:00

When implementing new system, conversion was done during cut off period. When all data have been converted from old system into new system, the back up data of this starting data for new system should be backup and stored into separate dB that can be accessible easily.Even thought that the data should undergone validations process and approval, it is common that after the new system go live,

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-43139852497684189372007-11-19T09:15:00.000-08:002007-11-19T09:29:54.497-08:00

Many utility companies are still applying monthly charges for customers. Let us say: monthly meter rent, or monthly fixed charged. Why? Mainly because the companies implemented monthly billing and the system is not able to compute daily.Monthly charges seem to be simple and easily understand by customers, but it is NOT fair to both company and customers. Imagine that the electricity is

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-76737954923061248042007-11-13T20:28:00.000-08:002007-11-13T20:40:56.298-08:00

Christmas is coming next month we need to buy some gifts for our loved ones. It is becoming a tradition in my family to exchange gifts in during Christmas eve. We need to email our wish list to family to make sure that the gifts are usable. I like to do shopping a month before Christmas to avoid hassle and crowd places in shopping centers. Anyway, most stores already started their SALE signs

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-81029826188821160572007-11-13T06:20:00.000-08:002007-11-13T06:23:23.784-08:00

Online payment for billing system in general or utility billing system in specific requires a defined business process to ensure all financial statements are correct and good data integrity.Online payment could be handled in several ways, namely:- Online payment through website. This requires coordination for any payment gateways or banks to receive payments using credit card and/or bank

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-21925421778401136622007-11-09T07:57:00.000-08:002007-11-09T07:59:26.267-08:00

In Customer Management System, especially in utility companies, the process of cashier closing is important. At the end of the day, all cashier (whether online of offline) should be closed and do not receive any payment anymore. A good customer management system could detect any unbalance money movement when the cashier is closed. How?Let say that there are 3 cashiers: cashier A, B, and C.

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-67458449701916363582007-11-07T18:10:00.000-08:002007-11-07T18:43:37.976-08:00

Why do people like to personalize their plate numbers? One common reason is to have it personalized with the owner personality or name. They tend to buy private plate numbers with their initial name on it. However, most companies nowadays are buying personal plate numbers for their cars as part of marketing strategies to promote their company or products. Northumbria Numbers is a company that

Adminnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-40419180413489767702007-11-06T06:03:00.000-08:002007-11-06T06:15:26.202-08:00

Project Implementation, especially in Utility System Project Implementations, requires specialist consultants to do the tasks. Each consultant has his/her role and responsibility to carry out the project implementation. Mostly, there is no overlap knowledge to minimize the cost of consultants in the project.The situation like above creates a fragile project environment if a one consultant is

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-64102163149874092022007-11-04T10:49:00.000-08:002007-11-04T11:05:54.534-08:00

It is normal for a project documentation to have a tons of documentation. Each phase of the project often mark by documentation deliverables. Not to mention all the minutes of the meetings that needs to be documented. Due to high quantity of the documentations, proper documentation management is required. However, hard copy documentation management is not anymore a trend in project

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-82586395668255699882007-10-29T10:41:00.000-07:002007-10-29T10:48:51.954-07:00

Even if during first step of the project all responsibilities have been defined for both parties (client and vendor), there will be new areas or work that need to be done and monitored. These new tasks should be make clear who are the entity that will be responsible.It is important that during monthly meeting, these new responsibilities were declared to avoid misunderstanding in future. A chart

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-74688322707054339782007-10-22T12:25:00.000-07:002007-10-22T12:46:59.742-07:00

Cut over procedures in implementing a new system is interpreted as the process of taking the data separately during cut over period because the new system is going to be implemented and the old system is taken down already. It is part of the project implementation phases. In small system implementation where all the implementations process can be done in matter of hours, cut over procedures are

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-21410997516410461422007-10-19T11:56:00.000-07:002007-10-19T12:05:25.766-07:00

My habit is to archive all my work in hard copy and soft copy after a certain project in utility company finishes. Currently, I put all the hard copy in my living room on a special cabinet full of books and papers resulted from my work. However, the past few days I have thinking to move those papers somewhere in my garage. Why? Because honestly, none of them are used by me. I never touched

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-26261959325926783142007-10-16T13:29:00.000-07:002007-10-16T13:39:38.820-07:00

Are your meter readers going at the rate of 60 readings a day or 200 readings a day? Do they fast enough? These can only be answered considering some major parameters below:1. Does the reader using paper of HandHeldUnit (HHU) during reading?2. Does the area rural or city?3. Do most of properties are a single meter (house) of multiple meters (apartments)Below are some average reading speed from

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-20448336274328402542007-10-15T13:46:00.001-07:002007-10-15T14:05:59.012-07:00

This post has nothing to do with Electric Utility System, but I would like to share on the site that got my attention. This EdealFinder.com provides online discount codes that you can utilize to get some discounts from your favorite merchants. For example these HP coupons can save me up to $300 on the purchase of HP z560 Digital Entertainment Center. If you plan to purchase HP notebook, the HP

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-51792611209353645662007-10-14T13:38:00.000-07:002007-10-14T13:49:34.423-07:00

Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) is becoming a trend in utility company. Various vendors are offering nice features of AMR. However utility company should consider again if they need or if they are ready to implement this automatic meter reading. I have seen 2 out of 5 utility companies that I visited are implementing AMR but they are not benefiting much of the functionalities.AMR has a

Adminnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-17112156642051717922007-10-11T06:24:00.000-07:002007-10-11T06:35:36.879-07:00

Utility company oftens has a deal with third party to recieve bill payments. The the passing of data is done online, there could be cases where when the payments are going to be applied, the bills in utility system has been altered (rebilling) or paid (double payments). This payment is considered as erroneous collection.One way to reduce erroneous collectin is by applying the payment into

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-49708900278265030902007-10-05T15:42:00.000-07:002007-10-05T15:52:47.836-07:00

Meter reading is one of the important aspects for utility companies. Proper meter reading management will ensure that the bill will be produced correctly and timely for collection. However, some companies are very relying on their current readers. Once one reader for selected area is absent, the meter reading process is postponed.The way to always having non-interruptions of meter reading

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-42489463282558259472007-10-01T10:18:00.000-07:002007-10-01T10:32:36.184-07:00

One way of Project Management Tracking and Control is using Communication Management. What are the purpose of communication management? It will:• Identify and describe all project stakeholders• Describe the communication needs of the project stakeholders• Define how project stakeholders will be kept informed about the project• Identify the communication paths within the project structure•

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-10008361048088997162007-09-30T02:29:00.000-07:002007-10-05T15:35:24.035-07:00

The module “Reporting or Management Information System” should provide comprehensive information concerning the Commercial activities necessary for the company’s management. The functions “Alarms” and “Inquiries” can serve this purpose.Alarms serve to monitor selected indexes, which are important for the company’s management. The indexes have flag-shaped labels, whose colour changes depending on

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-4966464579058838282007-09-25T15:49:00.000-07:002007-10-05T15:36:26.947-07:00

Reading - Billing - Collection is a normal Commercial Cycle for Utility Company. The duration to complete one full cycle is important for the cash flow of the company. The lesser it takes, the faster that the money can be collected over the consumptions used by customers.Old fashion Utility company often forget the important of short Commercial Cycle Duration. Let us say that the electricity

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-75339687266576971952007-09-20T09:06:00.000-07:002007-09-20T09:22:18.318-07:00

One day ahead and it is weekend. I like to visit DialAFlight site to find ideas from my city breaks. I realized that there are a lot of holidays ideas that I can do during short breaks. The packages are awesome with cheap fights and a nice hotel. I never find it cheaper if I need to book directly to the airlines and hotels.This gives me an idea as well to do travel stopover. I used have

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-52095977434275102272007-09-19T11:14:00.000-07:002007-09-21T05:40:08.722-07:00

In implementing new Customer Information System for Utility companies, data gathering is often required to complete the data that are lacking. Identifying the data that will be gathered is important before going to the field. Additional data can be added since the cost of adding additional data during field campaign less. GPS coordinate of properties or customers become an important data for

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-74601601689164419362007-09-18T13:41:00.000-07:002007-10-02T14:36:19.195-07:00

Since the project implementation life cycle is mostly short, the monitoring done by the project manager often loose. Authoritarian project manager is focussed on the end product without much participation. Due to this, you will encounter many abuses by the project team members. The most common is by claiming the work that was not done by himself/herself. This could be done with or without the

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-53880392106548279552007-09-17T11:39:00.001-07:002007-09-17T11:50:24.630-07:00

Today, I was discussing with the client about the methodology of how to sweep the area using map in data gathering. This data gathering is about taking information of meters and GPS position of the properties.The discussion was going very well and a lot of ideas and comments were interchanged. The hardest part in the data gathering sweeping using maps is during planning. During planning, we

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-20549564223590692932007-09-16T13:34:00.000-07:002007-09-16T13:55:27.153-07:00

Aside from my busy days in project implementation of electricity system, I like to spend my time doing my hobbies. At least, it will my day relax after spending time in the office. I like music especially when piano plays involved.I like to hear my friend playing piano during weekends. She is one talented girl who can just come up with the cords to play with. She always told me that it is not

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-19966419688195344202007-09-15T02:57:00.000-07:002007-09-15T02:58:46.035-07:00

Customer Information System implemented in Electricity companies requires a huge platform to handle all transactions and data in the system. Some of the companies chose UNIX system to deal with better stability. Thus, Roles of IT personnel are important to keep the system running smoothly. The fundamental role of IT with regards to UNIX related system is to provide support to ensure that the

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-17356538949234887032007-09-14T22:03:00.000-07:002007-10-02T14:41:30.657-07:00

I think this is not a secret anymore that communication is important in project management. In my blog post now, I would like to discuss the media of communication. I am not going to talk about the communication strategy. But as simple as the media itself and how to reduce the cost for communication.Maybe some of you have been using internet phone to reduce the communication cost, but this

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-2050964432061911182007-09-14T19:20:00.000-07:002007-10-05T15:23:25.089-07:00

There are many ways to defined good customer service. In electricity company, the customer service should be define to achieve the main goal, which is to provide uninterrupted electricity supply to customers. This main goal will result into several aspects that the company should pay attention for.1. Giving best services to paying customers. Obviously, these customers deserve better services that

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-33857950311512855722007-09-14T09:43:00.000-07:002007-10-05T15:29:31.973-07:00

Time goes fast. This is what I like about September. In near time, we will have holidays. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and finally Christmas and New Year. Well, you might think that I am too excited talking about these topics now. But, it is better to prepared ahead right? At least I won’t be bothered in the next months for all my online bookings and online shopping. You now how difficult it

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-14502120021542266362007-09-13T10:44:00.000-07:002007-09-13T10:45:52.829-07:00

Many of us have heard about the term “project”, even during our college days we often heard “mid-term project” or “final term project”. Project involves organization of people and other resources to perform work. But what makes it different with Operation? As we know that operation also involves people and resources to perform work. The main differences can bee noticed because projects are:•

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-30956388504721503832007-09-13T10:39:00.000-07:002007-09-13T10:44:29.699-07:00

I have been blogging for a quite sometime now. But I just joined last month to PayPerPost (PPP) using this blog. PPP is a place where a blogger like me can grab an opportunity given by the advertisers to review their site. In return, I get paid for the sponsored content.Since my blog is just new and has limited visitors, google still does not give me any enough Page Rank. If you do not know

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-66073384587805614272007-09-12T07:06:00.000-07:002007-09-12T07:10:09.581-07:00

The implementation of any system means some changes in company management and is it necessary to take into account the motivation of personnel because they will be the final users and they are very important “assets” of company.A critical factor for implementation is the participation of company’s management during all process of definition of changes and the implementation of changes to ensure

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-86320163565357967112007-09-10T10:47:00.001-07:002007-09-10T10:49:02.298-07:00

In implementing a new system to a company, project management is the key in planning, staffing, executing and monitoring the whole process. Project implementors often use different approach to make sure that the system can be implemented with minimal risk. In general, this methodology for project management can be generalized into several steps. Most well known project management is PMBOK.PMBOK

Adminnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-7122759510469234482007-09-04T09:55:00.000-07:002007-09-04T09:58:09.985-07:00

The organizational structure of each company should be created in accordance with the resources that have already been assigned to the commercial areas for realization of the basic commercial processes with the goal to obtain the satisfactory results. These satisfactory results are:- to the clients – providing high quality level of services - to the own company – obtain good economic (financial)

Adminnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-8413508222912189582007-09-02T11:45:00.000-07:002007-09-02T14:39:03.035-07:00

With the electricity tariff hikes, many customers of utility company is trying to bypass the meter. In this case, I will be specific in Electricity Meter. The most common meter bypass that is done by customer is by putting a jumper in meter terminal. You can see the picture of meter by pass here. This kind of meter bypass can be easily noticed by reader when they go regular reading of your

Adminnoreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-29924956120137001362007-08-27T01:28:00.001-07:002007-08-27T01:43:38.874-07:00

Communicating with external audiences is essential for the success of any organization, in businesses, governments or non-profit organizations. Increasingly, companies succeed or fail depending on their public perception.The main objective of external communication is to inform all organizations about implementation of the new Customer management system within COMPANY. The main objective of the

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-80850043776259923052007-08-24T17:13:00.000-07:002007-08-24T17:15:08.869-07:00

As a project member, you need to work smart to keep everything under control. Working hard alone is, nowadays, not enough.More positions and tasks in the project are minimal supervised by our boss. In the end, our boss just needs the end result. He/she does not care how we manage your time to do the task. If you work with each day has been defined what you should do, then, Congratulation! you

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-70335124032130383192007-08-24T09:49:00.000-07:002007-08-26T06:05:06.072-07:00

When it comes to summer, I usually tell the office boy to check all the air conditioner and window blinds in each room. Aside from many staff filling a vacation during this summer, I can not let my other staffs complaining the work environment because of hot weather. Talking about the blinds, this might look simple. I remember attending a meeting in a friend’s business consulting office and

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-18977981508935025372007-08-23T11:53:00.000-07:002007-08-23T12:03:21.513-07:00

The need of internal communication exists in every society or human group. The COMPANY current situation makes it is necessary to set up a program of internal communication that will specify the problems that can occur. Hereafter is a proposal of some measures to be taken.Mission of internal communication:To create and to maintain communication channels so that the information about the new

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-60272925458483322892007-08-23T07:42:00.000-07:002007-08-23T07:51:16.721-07:00

As a project manager, you need to shoulder some expenses in advance. In the end of month, you will reimburse the expenses to the company. I know it is not always the case, but it happens to a friend of mine.He takes advantage of credit card while paying all the expenses. This way, he can earn points from the credit card and also he does not need to advance the payment using his own money. The

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-65708133325973283242007-08-20T13:34:00.000-07:002007-08-20T13:38:04.042-07:00

Implementing a project as large as Customer Management System (CMS), communication becomes a key factor for its success. Thus COMPANY’s customers, suppliers and staff must understand that all the activities of the CMS are focused on achieving the continuity of COMPANY as a company, which is competent, stable and profitable.To accomplish this, COMPANY staff, customers and suppliers need to be

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-75195300875784874422007-08-19T12:59:00.000-07:002007-08-19T13:04:44.026-07:00

Each consulting companies or individuals have their own strategies to implement a Customer Management System. Most of the phases can be generalized like below:Phase 0 – Project OrganizationPhase I – Conceptual Design• Description and analysis of current business processes, organization and systems• New business processes and organization• Requests for modifications to new system• Definition of

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-66918830574362915352007-08-18T14:22:00.000-07:002007-08-24T17:08:42.747-07:00

Before you want to use GPS for data gathering, you must know first what is GPS and how it works. This will give you a solid knowledge to avoid problems in the field with regards to GPS.How GPS work?Global Positioning System (GPS) is a navigational aid originally developed for the military. The system simply receives signals. It is the applied technology that gives the GPS its versatility.If you

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-34469519500127029552007-08-15T13:32:00.000-07:002007-08-15T13:33:41.590-07:00

a) What is a billing exception?Billing exceptions are any abnormal situations for a supply detected during the billing process. These abnormal situations may cause improper billing of the supply or no billing at all. Thus, it becomes necessary to analyze and solve these inconsistencies before billing (with actual reading data or estimates) is performed.b) What is the consequence of the abnormal

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-1449339915988985462007-08-15T11:50:00.000-07:002007-08-19T00:55:11.285-07:00

Some of my friends who are project managers are putting their extra money in stocks, options or forex. Why? Because as project managers, there are get used to challenges. Putting their money in stocks is just like an extra game to win for them. They need to analyze, plan, and execute at the right time and strategy.Being in that game, you need an access to reliable information on the stocks

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-34305896031678333792007-08-14T03:56:00.000-07:002007-08-14T03:58:47.648-07:00

Aside from the migration of information from the Current Systems into New Systems, the Conversion Process also includes assistance in the identification of a practical and sound division of the Implementation into sub-phases. It is not always practical and is rarely advisable for a new system to go live using the whole client base of a company. Sometimes for sheer volume of the customers

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In the project implementation, month of July and August are the common months when the resources will be less. Why? Because most of them are asking for a vacation and spend the time with family when the children are having a summer break.Canada is becoming a place to be for vacation during this time. The weather during this time is perfect to wander around. If you do not have any idea in mind,

Adminnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-47363184315334094532007-08-12T08:00:00.001-07:002007-08-12T08:00:51.587-07:00

In order to achieve the target of Data Gathering activities, the following objectives and scope should be achieved:1. Development of tools for field data gathering. First is Data Gathering Management System (DGMS) that will be stationed in each Data Gathering Center. The main purposes of DGMS are to plan, process data, and generate reports. Next is Data Gathering Mobile Application that will be

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-12568311095841600132007-08-10T17:05:00.000-07:002007-08-10T17:06:27.946-07:00

A good Data Gathering Management System enable the system to track the time when data is gathered in the field. Of course this time stamp is obtained if only the surveyors are using hand held / HHU / PDA / TPA / Pocket PC during data gathering. Based on this information, the supervisor can extract the data together with its time stamp. Daily the supervisor should check the time stamp.Example of

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-21733360788940513452007-08-09T11:07:00.000-07:002007-08-15T11:14:47.479-07:00

I have written my blogs long ago. I started my blog to share my knowledge to the community... hoping that I can review them in future time. One day, one of my friends told me about payperpost.Well, at the beginning I was reluctant to sign up because my friend has high PR blog, and for him, it is easy to get high offer and earn more than $1000 per month. It even encouraged him to quit him daily

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-56016465339284586402007-08-09T10:39:00.001-07:002007-08-23T07:53:38.941-07:00

One thing that the project managers often do is to travel. Either to attend the business meeting or visit the sites. If you are in a big multinational companies, most likely you do not need to do the hassle to book and look for a place to stay because all have been arranged by your administration personnel. However, some of project managers do not have this luxury. I, for example, am often

Adminnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-91687898530481634722007-08-05T09:58:00.000-07:002007-08-05T09:59:27.640-07:00

Before implementing Customer Management System, Data gathering is often used to improve the quality of data that will be used by new billing system.One of the entity to be improved is Meter information. During data gathering, the meter number should be checked if there are duplicate meters. Ideally, a manufacturer or a utility company will NOT allow meter number duplicate among same brand and

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-70058355531563638912007-08-03T15:04:00.000-07:002007-08-07T06:12:47.991-07:00

In Customer Management System for Electric company, it is important that the system records meter digit. Business process personnel from the company should decide whether they are going to tell the readers to read only the real number or until the decimal point. Example in the picture has meter digit 5.1 (5 digit real numbers and 1 decimal digit). This decision will impact on how the meter digit

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-50522581692935769362007-08-02T01:15:00.000-07:002007-08-02T01:22:52.917-07:00

There are quite number of articles or argument on Agile Project Management. One thing that interest me is the discussion whether this Agile Project Management is only applicable on software development project or any other projects?This summary from ccpace.com could answer our mind bugling:The best project managers aren’t just organizers – they combine business vision, communication skills, soft

Adminnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-81264241196255308142007-08-01T07:20:00.000-07:002007-08-23T07:23:07.286-07:00

This policy is valid from 23 August 2007 This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Rezza (aschode at yahoo dot com). This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity.

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-62266975114624576862007-08-01T01:41:00.000-07:002007-08-01T01:55:51.272-07:00

Implementing Electric Utility System is quite similar like implementing IT Projects. The rate of failure projects is quite high.Based on the study done on IT Projects quoted from CIO.comn 1994, the researchers found that 31 percent of the IT projects were flat failures. That is, they were abandoned before completion and produced nothing useful. Only about 16 percent of all projects were

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-25639054919874295132007-07-29T01:57:00.001-07:002007-07-30T10:45:19.288-07:00

I read an article of a Project Manager who are running off the time to monitor his ongoing projects. And in the same time he has to obtain more projects. He was wondering why some of his colleagues can spend more time in playing golfs and their quotas are always reached.I like the discussions that was presented there because one of the writers told him to do simple time managements to handle all

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-48625025473211739182007-07-26T03:20:00.000-07:002007-08-24T17:09:40.350-07:00

Milestones is used to check on the health of your project. Milestones provide an opportunity to validate the current state of the project.A milestone is a scheduling event that signifies the completion of a major deliverable or a set of related deliverables. A milestone, by definition, has zero duration and no effort. A milestone is a marker in your schedule. You don't place milestones in your

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-82256613820755883092007-07-25T00:33:00.000-07:002007-07-25T00:36:45.180-07:00

Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, Inc. announced that Southern Company has selected its Spectrum Power™ 3 energy management system to monitor, control, and optimize the reliability of its transmission system consisting of over 27,000 miles of transmission lines, 3,400 substations, and more than 300,000 acres of right of way.Quote from RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Southern Company’s

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Implementing Utility systems require good project management. Some vendors are also using Project Management Software to monitor activities. Below are the most visited websites in term of Project Management Software based on Alexa:1. WikiPediaExplanation of the term “project management software” on Wikipedia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_management_software2. BaseCampHQ.comBasecamp PM

Adminnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-60098212906392118292007-07-20T03:35:00.000-07:002007-07-20T03:39:26.311-07:00

INTRODUCTIONMeter Reading exceptions are field findings are recorded by the Meter Readers during the Meter Reading Activity. Some meter reading exceptions suspend the billing process until some further investigation is done. This will be handled through Billing Exceptions. For other cases, billing can proceed and only certain correction related to meter reading information will have to be

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-48131435369149546492007-07-17T18:38:00.000-07:002007-07-17T19:06:21.025-07:00

Locust septic system service will soon be billed by Oakboro on a consumption virtuality – and at a exceeding rate – a change from the current hype* schedule.While the new definite plan peal ringing going away bill amounts to the metropolis, one goes up while the other drops, return the net change to a minimal level.Back based on available means meter readings, the cost for consumption came down

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-30063860460177985402007-07-16T19:04:00.000-07:002007-07-16T19:07:47.239-07:00

Winning a contract of a big subscribers is the thing that should be celebrated. However, proper planning should be design to smoothly implemented the system over huge customers available in dB. A little mistake can affect large portion of customers. Below is a news of AsiaInfo won a contract with China Telecom.AsiaInfo Signs Contract with China Telecom to Deploy Integrated Account Inquiry

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-42532455659949522792007-07-16T18:58:00.000-07:002007-07-16T19:03:29.644-07:00

Nowadays, billing system is integrated to any system available either by internet, fax, mobile phone, or any other technology. Companies who are implementing these integration has to be prepared with the support and customer service who are able to answers all questions or queries when the system or the interface goes wrong. Any un-satisfies customer can spread the word of inconvenience in no

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-75302419829978585432007-07-14T08:42:00.000-07:002007-07-14T08:45:19.115-07:00

The Conversion Process consists of a series of activities designed to make the migration (or transfer) of information from one system to a similar application possible, efficient and reliable.The elaboration of a conversion methodology entails the identification, selection, gathering, and initial loading of all the necessary data to the databases of the new system to be implemented.The conversion

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INTRODUCTIONThis process involves the setting up of the order by which meters of supply points will be read. Metering points will be grouped into different routes according to their reading nature. Each of these routes will be cut into different itineraries to be read by one meter reader in one day. UTILITY/SERVICE APPLICABLE TO- Electricity- WaterRESPONSIBILITYMeter Reading Head - Setting

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-76607229996065717612007-07-11T17:48:00.001-07:002007-07-12T08:17:38.090-07:00

INTRODUCTIONThis process consists of the actions that are carried out to inform the customer the amount that he must pay for the utility supply and services that he receives from the Company. The amount collectible to the customer is detailed in a bill. The bill contains information related to bill items related to the utility usage and services, payment balances, meter information and

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-16371421756671284602007-07-11T03:21:00.000-07:002007-07-11T03:26:44.384-07:00

The main channels through which contacts will be done are in the Service Unit or any online payment point in person, by phone or by fax and in the Call Center by phone. The types of contact that can be handled by each of these offices will be limited based on the policy of the company.Customer TransactionsThe following are the customer request in relation to customer assistance:1. Queries –

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Prior to the start of field campaign, DG (Data Gatheritn) Project Managers together with the Sub-department Manager will define the location of DGC (Data Gathering Center) in the sub-department where field campaigns will be carried out. This definition will be based on the most effective distances that should be traveled from DGC to location of campaign execution and the availability of room with

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-19875725222752453462007-06-25T03:49:00.000-07:002007-08-03T15:49:47.742-07:00

Meter tilted or in wrong position might cause the meter is not correctly when registering the consumption. This type of Fraud can be intentionally done by customer. Or... the meter can be titled because the technician did not assemble the position firmly. Thus, over the time, the meter position is tilted. This tilted position of meter can cause the disc to touch the brake and slow down the

Adminnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-78717961942933733292007-06-24T03:36:00.000-07:002007-09-02T12:00:23.097-07:00

Double feeding is done by customer when he/she tried to make an additional feeding directly to the line so that the consumption for additional feeding is not registered. He/she will still have the legal service and the meter will register only the consumption for the legal service. Usually the additional feeding is done to connect for appliance that requires more electricity load (ex: air

Adminnoreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-49617102445396287382007-06-14T00:29:00.000-07:002007-09-02T11:50:58.056-07:00

This happen when customer tries to bypass the connection so that the meter is not registering the consumption. No action done on the meter by doing such case. This type of fraud is easily detected and easily resolved.

Adminnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-53958010634246015782007-06-07T04:03:00.000-07:002007-09-02T11:54:31.528-07:00

Example of meter manipulated:- Brake manipulated so it touches the disc. It will slow down the disc rotation.- Space out or braked gears. The rotation of disc will not be recorded correctly.- External potential open. This will not record any consumption even if the disc is rotating.- Disc tilted. It will not record the correct consumption.

Adminnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-45384240863481464832007-05-18T06:20:00.000-07:002007-05-18T06:27:55.990-07:00

Meter (Submeter) it is the important entity to be gathered and it applies for the services previously reported as legal and founded as metered service at the moment of the visit. All the meters (or submeters) will be gathered related to a service. A supporting document will show the meter information available in the current system. However, surveyor should report the meter information in the

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-70512493427682536782007-05-14T00:23:00.000-07:002007-05-14T00:26:36.425-07:00

During data gathering process, it is not advisable to have changes in field data nor BW data. Changes of data could impact the accuracy of data gathered during the field.In exceptional cases, changes of data are unavoidable due to new contracts and meter exchange for broken meters. These changes should be recorded in separate procedures so that DG team can report the changes to CSS project for

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-39628956998024967442007-05-12T03:25:00.000-07:002007-05-12T03:31:40.920-07:00

Gathered data will be audited daily to verify the information obtained by surveyors. The process of auditing will be done in the field when surveyors do the field gathering. At the beginning of day, DGC Head will plan and identify 20% of surveyor teams that will be audited. DGC head and Reading Supervisors, then, meet the surveyors in the field and take their HHU for auditing. DGC Head will

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-2560304937557935212007-05-03T11:03:00.000-07:002007-05-03T11:07:23.275-07:00

As it has been mentioned in the document that the most important resources in the execution of the field campaigns are the surveyors (readers and technicians). These personnel will be the responsible for the gathering of data in site. The basic team will be composed by a reader and technician.Likewise, it is of equally importance that the DGC Head, reading supervisor, and back office to follow up

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-66405161044241734232007-04-29T11:20:00.000-07:002007-04-29T11:27:26.715-07:00

Aside from gathering information about property, services, meter chamber, and meter information, surveyor will also identify possible frauds that he encounters in the field.Surveyors will not do any action against possible frauds. Surveyors just need to record all possible frauds in the field with its corresponding type. After data gathering process finishes, the data of possible fraud will be

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-25973744288227898962007-04-20T05:49:00.000-07:002007-04-23T12:34:42.931-07:00

For each of the properties encountered on the field, the surveyor must identify its Global Position System Coordinates. Each Property Data Gathering surveyor will be provided with a GPS attachment for his handheld. In addition, there will be one GPS Base Unit which will be used in post gathering processes to adjust the coordinates gathered in each handheld. The GPS Base Unit will be

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-56353911405721655252007-03-13T01:52:00.000-07:002007-03-13T01:54:27.101-07:00

The following list provides definitions for frequently used concepts in the document and for the duration of the Data Gathering Campaigns. Concept Description Physical Entities Entities that represent physical or technical concepts found in the field. Property Geographical entity defined by the lowest address

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-32397955965255257382007-01-16T06:50:00.000-08:002007-01-16T06:55:30.617-08:00

As part of Customer Service System (CSS), Data Gathering project is usualy lauched to enhance the data being uploaded in CSS.Training of surveryors is key element to successful Data Gathering. One should sometime underestimate this task during DG Project. But proper planning should be put before hand to ensure the training will run smooth.Requirements for training should be prepared in

Adminnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36341659.post-54961845582207921622006-11-28T01:26:00.000-08:002006-11-28T01:48:47.214-08:00

Data gathering is considered important prior to implement Customer Service System. This will serve to gather necessary data that are not present in the current system. In addition, it will clean the data. Remember GIGO.Field campaign will be managed by sub-department according to the established schedule for each one of them. During the execution of the campaign will be gathered the

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