UPA METER SERVICES
Automated Meter Reading Deployments (AMR)
• Meter Installations and Retrofits
• Call Center Operations
• Inventory Control
• Technical Support
• Meter Reading Services
• Quality Assurance-Safety Programs
Meter Installations and Retrofits
As technology has advanced, meter manufacturers and utility companies recognized the need for more efficient meter reading. Converting electric, gas and water meters to wireless automated reading equipment has become known as automated meter reading (AMR). UPA is one of the largest contracting companies created to convert the millions of meters from manual reading to automated reading. Since 2001 UPA has installed electric meters with built-in electronic radio transmitters (ERT) and retrofit gas and water meters by attaching ERT units to existing meters.
In all cases of installations or retrofits, safety is our top priority! All UPA field technicians undergo specialized safety, meter change-out, and utility-specific training with testing and certifications issued prior to any field experience. Classroom training includes authentic electric meters with a live power source connection. An average of three days of one-on-one onsite field training with an experienced technician occurs before a new installer is released to work independently. Meters are routinely inspected for any safety hazard prior to installation protecting our technician, the utility, the customer and property from any damage. Installers are fully prepared with all the necessary tools, equipment and job-related safety clothing to quickly and safely complete an installation or retrofit.
Call Center –Appointment Control Operations
UPA’s goal is to install 100 percent of the meters allocated to us within a contract. To support that goal, UPA has developed its own call center tracking system for documenting the often required “three calls- three visits." This exclusive system provides multiple tracking and reporting capabilities including: setting appointments with clients, tracking phone number exceptions, reporting due diligence locations, tracking call volumes required to schedule and complete installations, plus many others. Our call center tracking system was created for verification and accountability of UPA efforts to successfully install all utility meters.
Inventory Control
Increasing contract sizes and ever-diverse project locations necessitated the development of an electronic inventory system to track all the materials needed to complete an installation. Using this extensive inventory system, UPA can track the location of all inventory items at any given time (whether it is located on a truck, in a specific warehouse or has been returned to the utility). This proprietary inventory system utilizes bar-coding technology. Reports display how many items an installer received, installed and returned daily from his truck back to the warehouse, saving many hours of time tracking discrepancies when they occur. Daily, weekly or monthly reports show inventory by truck or warehouse at any given time.
Technical Support
All of UPA’s remote project locations have full technical support 24/7 to ensure the ongoing productivity of the operation. UPA's proprietary software has placed the company as a top utility service provider. Our technical team continues to expand our custom software systems as business needs and the strategic environment dictate.
Meter Reading Services
Meter reading services including “non-climber” services are just one of the many future development areas UPA is currently focused on. We continuously monitor the business landscape for new opportunities to grow with our partner utilities.
