Badger® READCENTER® Reading Data Management System Software Installation & Operation Manual IMPORTANT: This manual contains important warnings and information. READ AND KEEP FOR REFERENCE. RDC-IOM-02 BadgerMeter, Inc. P/N 62014-119 Rev.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3 Part I: Quick Start........................................................................................................... 4 1. Overview of Badger® READCENTER® ...........................................................................................5 2. Activation and Startup 2.1.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Introduction Welcome to the READCENTER® Reading Data Management System Manual. The manual has two parts and an appendix at the end: Part I: Quick Start Part I features basic information that will allow you to begin using READCENTER for many tasks immediately. As you move through Part I, in some places you will be directed to pages in Part II for more information.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Part I: Quick Start 4 — CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY — Badger Meter, Inc.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Overview of READCENTER Badger READCENTER is a reading data management software application that provides a central location for performing various meter reading tasks. It allows data sharing across meter reading solutions offered by Badger Meter. Supported reading technologies include Badger® ORION®, BadgerTouch®, TRACE® and manual meter reading.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Activation and Startup Program Activation Activate READCENTER from the Start Menu or Desktop Icon. Desktop Icon Start Menu Double-click the icon. Select the path shown from the Start Menu. Startup Screen When the application begins, the startup screen to the right will appear. The current software version number is listed below the title. Click Backup to make a copy of the current database files. Refer to Appendix Item #7 for details.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual Main Screen The Badger READCENTER main screen is a multiple document interface (MDI) form that holds various function screens and has the following features: Menu bar and tool bar at the top provide access to configuration settings Status bar at the bottom displays messages related to active processes Main pane (right) displays the title and will contain the selected function screen Left pane displays the main menu with links to top-l
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 The Meter Reading Process As the diagram below indicates, the meter reading process begins and ends with the billing system, which is the main repository of customer data. To start the meter reading cycle, a file is created from the billing system for Badger READCENTER to import. Information in READCENTER is therefore synchronized with current data from the billing system.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 System Outline The software is laid out in sections and grouped according to task. The three main sections and functions within them are briefly outlined here. Accounts: Provides ways to view, search and group accounts. Account Records: View all of the information available for each account. You can scroll through account records and search for specific records based on the account number, name, address, meter serial number, etc.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Meter Reading Cycle Save/Clear Previous Reads (Skip this step if there are no accounts in the database) Concept: This function saves the previous meter readings to the Badger READCENTER history and/or clears the current readings before beginning the new reading cycle. It prepares READCENTER to accept new updated information from the billing system. Select Save/Clear Previous Reads listed on the main menu under Meter Reading Cycle.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Read Input File Concept: This function reads account information into Badger READCENTER from an outside source, typically the billing system. The information may include new accounts or changes to existing accounts. It may also include the previous meter reading and/or high and low limit ranges. Select Read Input File listed on the main menu under Meter Reading Cycle. Step 1.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Read Input File - Messages Encountered Here is an example of the message asking you to confirm the options selected. Each time a file is read in, a message similar to this displays the first time an account is seen that is new to READCENTER®. Each time a file is read in, a message similar to this displays the first time an account is seen that is not new to READCENTER.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Load Collectors Concept: This function allows you to send account information from Badger READCENTER to the collection device for the purpose of gathering meter readings. Select Load Collectors listed on the main menu under Meter Reading Cycle. Note: Prior to beginning with Step 1 below, select the correct setting name for the device being loaded.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Unload Collectors Concept: This function allows you to retrieve meter reading data from the collection device, and store the information in Badger READCENTER. Select Unload Collectors listed on the main menu under Meter Reading Cycle. Note: Prior to beginning with Step 1 below, select the correct Setting Name for the device being unloaded.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual Run Reports Concept: This function provides a list of pre-defined standard reports to view or print. Select Run Reports listed on the main menu under Meter Reading Cycle. Choose a report by clicking once on a report name listed. Select accounts to be included on the report by specifying a group; or a range of route or account numbers. For more information on setting up account groups, see page 27. Select other options as needed.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Report Descriptions General Meter Reading Detail: A report with details of account information available in Badger READCENTER. Unread Meters: A report of accounts that do not have a current meter reading in READCENTER. High/Low Audit: A report of accounts with meter readings, which are high or low in comparison to the highs and lows being passed from the billing system to READCENTER. The operator can then decide on a course of action.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Write Output File Concept: This function allows you to send meter readings collected, from Badger READCENTER to the billing system. Select Write Output File listed on the main menu under Meter Reading Cycle. Step 1. Specify the Output File Name and Location where the billing software will look to retrieve account information from READCENTER. You may also click Browse to select it. Step 2. Choose an Interface Format. Step 3.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Part II: User Guide 18 — CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY — Badger Meter, Inc.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Accounts The Accounts section of the main menu offers functions that allow you to view meter reading information for each account and organize accounts into groups if desired. Accounts are created in the system by adding them manually or by reading an input file. (Note: The input file structure is defined separately and configured and tested by a Badger Meter support specialist prior to installing the software.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Filtering Records The row of fields below the column headings on the Account Records grid is called a filter bar. The filter bar allows you to search for details such as Account ID, Last Name, and address in the records, based on a character or term you enter. For example, if you key an “M” into the blank cell under the Street Name heading, streets that begin with “M” will appear in the rows below.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Account Fields For fields passed to the handheld or laptop, sizes listed may vary from what can be displayed. Field sizes listed may vary from those defined in the structure of the input file from the billing system. Customer This section displays the Account ID, First Name, Last Name, House #, and other information associated with the customer where the meter is located.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Meter This section displays details about the meter such as the Meter Serial # and Meter Location. Field Name Item # Meter Type Meter Serial # Meter Install Date Meter Location Meter SubGroup Meter Instruction Read Value Last Received Type Size Numeric Water Gas RT Gas ORION Electric Other Alphanumeric Description Not currently used. Type of service being read. If not specified, the default is water.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Registration This section has information about how the meter is read, whether electronically or manually. Note: Compound meters might have two registration records associated with one meter. Each record will have its own Service # and be related to a separate register.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 To Reader This section has information that is helpful to the person or collection device that reads the meter. Field Name High Limit Type Numeric Low Limit Numeric Previous Read Numeric Alert Code Code Table 50 Location Code Code Table 50 Route ID Alphanumeric 20 Sequence # Numeric 24 Size Description Reading passed from the billing system and sent to the collection device to warn of a high reading.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 From Reader This section has information from the person or collection device that reads the meter. Fields are filled in after collection devices are unloaded. Field Name Present Read Type Numeric Read Date/Time Date/Time Read Type Read Method Trouble Code Size Description Meter reading for billing purposes.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Utility Use This section is a place for miscellaneous information from the billing system. Field Name Utility Use 1-10 Type Alphanumeric Size Description 50 Holds miscellaneous information. Notes This section holds information related to the account record. Field Name Note To Reader Note From Reader Account Note 26 Type Size Description Alphanumeric Memo Message about the meter being read.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Account Groups The Account Groups function provides a way to define more detailed groups of accounts for use in loading and unloading collection devices, running reports, and performing other tasks related to meter reading. Defining Account Group Settings This is the first function that allows you to define multiple setting records by name.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Listing Accounts - Accounts may be listed and filtered as described below. The grid on the left side of the Account Groups screen is used to display accounts that are in the database. Click the Fill List button at the top of the grid to show current account data. To find a specific Route ID, Sequence #, or Account ID, enter search criterion in the filter bar.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Selecting Accounts - Below we will define a group that splits a route. For the Select By entry, choose “Route ID/Sequence #.” In the list of accounts, point to the first line and click the From --> button. Note that the Route ID and Sequence # on the From line have been populated automatically. In the list of accounts, point to the record approximately in the middle of the route and click the To ---> button.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 To add other Group Items to the list, click Add Item on the tool bar and repeat the process of selecting accounts. From and To entries may also be keyed in manually. As items are added, they appear in the Group Items grid. Select By Available grouping options appear in the right column.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Batch Processing With Batch Processing you can load and unload collection devices automatically, one after the other rather than individually. Before running this function, here are the steps that must be done in preparation: Set up folders for each collection device to hold load and unload files. USB Memory Device Communication: Assign permanent drive letters for the USB memory devices.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Create Unload Collectors Settings For each collection device that will be unloaded, create an Unload Collectors setting. In the setting name, indicate the folder name that was set up previously. For example, if the folder name is HH01, the setting name can be “Unload Trimble 01.” Create Load Collectors Settings For each collection device that will be loaded, create a Load Collectors setting.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 The tree view on the left side of the Batch Processing form displays all of the settings defined for Load Collectors and Unload Collectors. Click on the boxes with the + signs to expand the tree and view all of the setting names for each. To add a batch item, click Add Item in the bottom tool bar. As items are added, they appear in the Selected Operations grid.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Here is a portion of the screen showing the full setup. Operation Place a check mark in the box of each function in the Selected Operations grid that you would like to perform. (Note: To uncheck the Enabled box for each item, click the Enable drop-down button in the bottom tool bar and select Disable All. Note: To uncheck the Enabled box for each item, click the Enable drop-down button in the bottom tool bar and select Disable All.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Maintenance and Settings Handheld and Laptop Settings Code Tables - Several tables are available that allow you to define a two-digit code number and the text message associated with the number. Code numbers range from 1 to 99. Text can be up to 50 characters; however the collection device display limit varies.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Display Fields - Collection devices have five display lines whose contents are defined within Badger® READCENTER®. Each drop-down list shows all of the fields available. Choose the field for each line to display in the collection device. A separate definition may be used for handheld and laptop reading.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual Handheld Reader Options – This will be discussed during initial training. Operating instructions for the handheld reader explain the options as well. Laptop Reader Options - This will be discussed during initial training. Operating instructions for the laptop reader explain the options as well. Badger Meter, Inc.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Account Table Setup The Account Table Setup function allows you to define lists of information to associate with individual account records. The left side of the form holds table names; the right side displays entries for a selected table. When you select a table name from the list on the left, the right side of the form shows the name in the heading line with associated table entries below it. Form size is adjustable.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual Custom Reports With Custom Reports you can create reports using field names of your choosing. The report definitions can be saved and used at any time. Field names are listed on the left side of the form. To add a Report Item, point to the desired field name and click Add To List. A line will be added to the Report Items grid and the field name selected will be entered automatically.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Meter Reading Cycle Save/Clear Previous Reads This is the first process in the meter reading cycle. Here is where you save previous meter readings to the Badger READCENTER history and/or clear them. It prepares READCENTER to accept new updated information from the billing system. Do this before reading an input file from the billing system with updated account information.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Operation Choose By Group if an account group has been defined with the accounts selected to save/clear. Pick the group from the drop-down list. (Remember: the group name is Select the setting name defined in the accounts Account Groups function.) to save Choose By Route if routes to By and/or save/clear are sequential and do not Route clear require use of an account group. based on Enter the From and To text for the these range of routes.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Read Input File The second process in the meter reading cycle is to read an input file from the billing system. This allows information to be synchronized between the billing system database and Badger READCENTER database. Changed items are updated, and new accounts are added automatically. Note: Defining the file structure is done prior to software installation by a Badger Meter support specialist.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Step 3. Select Options You may choose from the options listed to the right to tell Badger READCENTER how to handle certain data. Note: Options that are disabled will be provided in a future update. Step 4. Process File Split Name—When the name is formatted as Last Name, comma, First Name, it is possible to split the entries at the comma so each is placed in a separate field within READCENTER. This allows searching accounts by the last name.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Load Collectors Everything is now ready to load collection devices. Load Collectors allows you to define multiple settings. You may define a setting for each collection device, each meter reader, or for any other factor that reflects how you read meters. Each load collector setting in turn may have an account group, range of routes, or range of accounts. In addition, other options may be permanently defined.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Operation Step 1. Select Accounts By Group Select accounts to load based on these options. By Route Choose By Group if an account group has been defined with the accounts selected to load. Pick the group from the drop-down list. (Remember: the group name is the setting name defined in the Account Groups function.) Choose By Route if routes to load are sequential and do not require use of an account group.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Unload Collectors When reading is complete, Unload Collectors is used to copy files from where they have been stored by the collection device and update Badger READCENTER with the collected data. The handheld reader uses a USB memory device for the load process. The laptop reader may use a diskette or a USB memory device. The memory device or diskette must be inserted before executing the steps below.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual Operation Step 1. Select Device Remember: The memory device or diskette must be inserted. Step 2. Unload Collector Step 3. View Unloaded Readings Step 4. Update Accounts Choose the handheld reader or the laptop reader. Click the Browse button to find and select the unload file. Note: If the file location does not change, verify that the box is filled in correctly. Click Unload Collector to begin unloading.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Run Reports Run Reports allows you to monitor the reading process and view collected data. It also supports multiple settings so that reports that are run frequently can be pre-defined for speed in accessing information. Note: If multiple setting names are defined, select the one needed from the drop-down box at the top of the form before beginning with Step 1. 48 — CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY — Badger Meter, Inc.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Operation Select a Report Choose a report by clicking once on a report name listed. The name of the selected report will be displayed on the right side of the screen. Select Accounts to include in the report based on these options. By Group By Route By Account Options Registration Choose By Group if an account group has been defined for accounts to include in the report. Pick the account group from the drop-down list.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Report Contents Report Name General Meter Reading Detail Criteria All accounts selected. Unread Meters All accounts selected with no Read Date/Time. High/Low Audit All accounts selected with readings that are high or low in comparison to the highs and lows passed from the billing system.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Viewing Reports Here is a sample Unread Meter Report: All screen reports have these features: Click on a column heading to sort data for that column in ascending order. Click on the heading again to sort in descending order. A filter bar on the first line of the grid allows you to see only accounts that match criteria you have entered.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Printing Reports Here is a print preview of an Unread Meter Report: Tool Bar Items Opens a file that was saved in the previewer’s native format, “.c1d”—the extension that appears at the end of a document generated by the previewer. Hand tool that allows scrolling through multiple pages by holding down the mouse button and dragging. Saves report to various formats, including .c1d, PDF, Word, and Excel.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual Write Output File The last step in the reading cycle is to write an output file to send to the billing system. The accounts written out do not have to match those read in. For example, you may run a process input file report weekly with all the accounts to read for the week but write out read accounts each day. Note: Defining the file structure is done prior to software installation by a Badger Meter support specialist.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Operation Step 1. Specify the output file name and location Step 2. Choose an Interface Format Step 3. Select Accounts Select Accounts to include in the file based on these options. By Group By Route 54 Note: If the file name and location do not change, verify that the box is filled in correctly. Pick the interface format from the drop-down list.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Appendix 1. System Requirements Note: The specifications shown are to be used as a guideline. Some items relate more to requirements of the Operating System rather than the READCENTER® application, and they are subject to change. Follow any Operating System vendor recommendations that exceed what is listed here.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 2. Installation Insert the Badger READCENTER installation CD; the Setup Wizard should appear automatically. If it does not, run Setup.exe from the CD. For optimal performance, accept all default settings unless specifically instructed by a Badger Meter support specialist or trainer to do otherwise. The following screens will appear in sequence. 1. 4. 2. 5. 3. 56 — CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY — Badger Meter, Inc.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 3.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Read Resolution – Water GALAXY® and ORION® Code Description 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 48 49 50 51 65 66 67 68 95 96 97 98 99 -1 RTR TC = 10 Gallon RTR TC = 100 Gallon RTR TC = 1000 Gallon RTR TC = 10000 Gallon RTR TC = 1 Cubic Foot RTR TC = 10 Cubic Foot RTR TC = 100 Cubic Foot RTR TC = 1000 Cubic Foot RTR TC = .01 Cubic Meter RTR TC = .
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Read Resolution – Gas ORION Type Code Description Multi- Dials Sub Divide By to Remove plier Counts Sub Counts Cubic Foot Integral 73 45 70 46 71 74 75 79 76 78 72 77 85 83 81 Gas ORION - 1 CuFt Int (10:5)1 Gas ORION - 1 CuFt Int (100:4)1 Gas ORION - 2 CuFt Int (10:5)1 Gas ORION - 2 CuFt Int (100:4)1 Gas ORION - 5 CuFt Int (100:5)1 Gas ORION - 5 CuFt Int (100:6)10 Gas ORION - 10 CuFt Int (100:5)1 Gas ORION - 10 CuFt Int (100:5)10 Gas ORI
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 4. Radix Handheld File Transfer If the configuration option to support Radix file transfer is set, the Radix checkbox will be shown on the screen for Load Collectors and Unload Collectors when the Handheld Reader device is chosen. Check this box so that READCENTER activates the Radix File Transfer process to communicate to and from the Radix handheld. A direct connection must be set up in advance to support the communication.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual Unload Collectors Step 1. Select the Handheld Reader device, check the Radix box, and enter the File Location where information from the Radix will be sent. You may also click Browse to look for the File Location. Step 2. Click Unload Collector to activate the Radix File Transfer process. When the process completes and the unload file is ready for the next step, a message is displayed in red as shown here. Step 3.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Radix File Transfer Operation For both loading and unloading, the Radix Transfer window the direct connection set up previously will be opened. When the connection has been opened successfully, a message will prompt you to verify that the Radix is ready to communicate with. When the transfer process is complete, a message displays to click OK before removing the Radix device from the dock.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 5. ReadAll Handheld File Transfer If the configuration option to support ReadAll file transfer is set, the ReadAll checkbox will be shown on the screen for Load Collectors and Unload Collectors when the Handheld Reader device is chosen. Check this box so that READCENTER activates the ReadAll File Transfer process to communicate to and from the Radix handheld.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Unload Collectors Step 1. Select the Handheld Reader device, check the ReadAll box Step 2. Click Unload Collector to activate the ReadAll File Transfer process. When the process completes and the unload file is ready for the next step, a message is displayed in red as shown here. Step 3. Click View Unloaded Readings to verify that the account information was retrieved from the reading device.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual ReadAll File Transfer Operation For both loading and unloading, the ReadAll Transfer window will be opened. A message will prompt you to verify that the ReadAll is ready to communicate with. Wait for the file transfer to complete, and click Exit to close the ReadAll Transfer window. Badger Meter, Inc.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 6. Mini Mobile Interrogator (MMI) File Transfer If the configuration option to support MMI file transfer is set, the MMI checkbox will be shown on the screen for Load Collectors and Unload Collectors when the Laptop Reader device is chosen. Check this box so that READCENTER activates the MMI File Transfer process to send files to and from the MMI storage device, either diskette or USB memory.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual Unload Collectors Step 1. Select the Laptop Reader device, check the MMI box Step 2. Click Unload Collector. When the unload file is ready for the next step, a message is displayed in red as shown here. Step 3. Click View Unloaded Readings to verify that the account information was retrieved from the reading device. Information at this point is in a raw data format from the collector.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 7. Backup Operation Note: If READCENTER data is stored by SQL Server Standard or Enterprise, backups are to be handled in accordance with end user corporate policies. A means of backing up the READCENTER SQL Server Express database files is available from the login screen. All users must have READCENTER closed when this is done or the operation will not complete successfully.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual 8. Account Groups – Route Selection Method This section describes an alternate method of selecting routes to include in groups. It is based on the specific stage of a route in the meter reading process. The various stages are: Ready to Read Input: A Save/Clear operation has been performed and the route is ready to accept information from the billing system to begin the meter reading process.
Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual May 2010 Listing Routes – Routes may be listed as described below. The Route Display Options tab shows the status conditions available to pick from. At the beginning of the meter reading process, a file is read in from the billing system. Accounts must then be selected to load to collection devices. By default, the box By Receive Date >= is checked and the date entered is always one week prior to the current date.
May 2010 Badger® READCENTER® Installation and Operation Manual To add a Route to the Group Items list on the right of the screen, double click it in on the Routes tab, or point to it and click Add Selected Route. The current Group Setting Name will show in the Assigned To column. To assign Routes to another Group, choose the setting name for the Group and repeat the selection process. The current Group Setting Name will be shown in the Assigned To column.
Badger®, Recordall®, ORION®, GALAXY®, ReadAll®, BadgerTouch®, and READCENTER® are registered trademark of Badger Meter, Inc. Windows® and Vista® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Trimble® is a registered trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and other countries. Ranger™ is a trademark of Tripod Data Systems, Inc. Permalog+® is a registered trademark of Palmer Environmental. WebEx® is a trademark of WebEx Communications, Inc.
