Utility Route Optimization: Meter Reading, Turn-on & Turn-off, Collections and Change-outs

RouteSmart software helps you manage the multiple geographically based work area planning and logistics considerations that all utility operations – whether investor owned or municipal – are expected to keep on top of. Whether it is keeping up with new growth, incorporating a merger or acquisition of another utility, integrating multiple reads, or implementation of automated meter reading technology, RouteSmart is the solution for meeting the most demanding route planning requirements that are out there.

RouteSmart solutions automate route planning tasks found within this ever changing environment. Proven and trusted by utilities for years, RouteSmart Technologies has continually evolved the RouteSmart routing solution for both meter reading route optimization and field service activities. RouteSmart software enables you to quickly and regularly reroute based on up-to-the-moment changes occurring in your service area.

A summary of a few of the unique features of the RouteSmart software and how they can benefit your utility include:

• Uses advanced balancing and sequencing algorithms with unique operating parameters tailored for the needs of meter reading and other field service activities found within gas, electric and water utility industry environments.
• Automatically balance cycle days, driving, walking and combination travel mode routes.
• Automatically determine whether meters should be read via walking or driving service mode based on density of the meters and the desire to minimize overall route time.
• Sequences meters in read order or field service activities in service visit order to minimize time on each route. In walking service mode, specify whether you prefer to “walk right” or “walk left” with respect to which side of the street is desired.
• Integrates route and meter data with handheld and automatic meter reading devices. Full, open standards based import and export support for getting data between RouteSmart and your CIS.
• Convert traditional walk/drive routes to AMR/MMR.
• Reduce number of personnel, number of vehicles, non-productive travel distance, nonproductive time and expensive overtime on the routes.
• Increase meter reading efficiency and achieve per-meter cost-to-read goals.
• Print detailed street-level routing directions along with maps of service areas and individual routes.
• Provide as many computerized operating plans as necessary (seasonal plans for winter versus summer, missed reads, etc.).
• RouteSourcing^TM option available for utilities looking to outsource cycle day and meter route planning tasks.
• Enable "what if" scenarios to quickly evaluate routing changes and anticipate impacts.
• RouteSmart Route Macro Language for automating routine routing tasks associated with importing and exporting data, running the solvers in batch-unattended fashion (great for managing on-demand daily routing processes such as collections!), and outputting reports and maps.
• Integrates with Itron FCS to enable on-demand rerouting of meter data sets.
• Operates in a GIS-based environment and can use existing GIS data sets.

RouteSmart software operates on top of the ESRI ArcGIS technology platform and uses highly accurate street data from NAVTEQ to power its solution. We maintain official business partner status with both ESRI and NAVTEQ to insure your solution is up to date and able to use their latest releases and updates.