Planning a Smart Metering Pilot

Start with the decision the pilot must support

A pilot should not be a small rollout without a defined question. It should test the technical, integration, field-service, customer and commercial assumptions required for scale-up.

Define representative sites

Select sites that reflect the network, customer, building, communications and installation conditions likely to be encountered during rollout.

Integrate the operating system

Test devices, communications, data, billing or vending, customer records, work orders and field support as one process.

Set measurable evidence

• Read and communication availability
• Data quality and exception management
• Installation productivity and defects
• Customer and field-service issues
• Meter reliability and maintenance
• Commercial and operating cost

Use evidence to design the rollout

The rollout basis should reflect the tested technology, refined processes, commercial structure, localisation pathway and programme risks.