C2M Certification Flashcards
Control Central is a page where a user can:
−search for a person, account, or premise
−view information related to the person, account and premise
−be alerted to anomalies about the customer or premise
−navigate into other pages.
With these points in mind, please choose the specific functionality embodied within Control
Central (please choose all that apply):
a. Find an account or premise by entering the account’s account number.
b. Find an account or premise by entering a telephone number.
c. Find an account by entering an address.
d. Drill to the page where a bill can be added, canceled, or rebilled.
e. Identify the premise where a customer wants to start service.
f. Drill into Start/Stop.
g. View financial transactions (e.g., payments, adjustments, bill cancellations) that have
been created since the last bill was completed.
h. View all customer contacts associated with a person.
i. Find an account by entering a social security number.
j. Display the account’s payments and bills.
k. Display alerts highlighting anomalous things about the account (e.g., active collection
process, account has multiple premises, etc.)
l. Drill into the page used to start and stop service.
m. Modify an account’s customer class.
n. Drill into the account page to modify this information.
o. Display an account’s arrearage history.
a, b, c, d, g, h, i, j, k, l, o.
What is the significance of a comma (,) in the name field?
A comma designates a human name as opposed to a business name. All human names
should be entered in the format Last Name,First Name (with no space between the comma
and the first name).
Many add and update dialogs default the person / account / premise that was last selected
on Control Central. True/False.
True. When you use the context buttons to transfer to other pages (in add or update mode),
the system assumes you want to add or update information for the object associated with
the context button.
If a user types in the name “Jones,Pam” in Control Central - Main and there is more than
one customer with this name, what happens?
The scroll area at the bottom of the page is populated with one row for each account with
the name of Jones,Pam. The user would select the row they really wanted. They can use
the ID information adjacent to the customer name to pinpoint the customer in question.
When an account is selected, the user can use Next Item and Previous Item to scroll
through the other matches.
There are many different ways to navigate to a page from Control Central; list them.
- You can push a go to button or a link.
- You can click many nodes in the trees.
- You can click a context menu button.
- You can click the start and stop buttons.
- You can click a bar in the Bill Graph zone.
- The dashboard has numerous ways to drill into other pages
If Rick Bush has a small business and a residence in the utility’s service territory, he may
have one or two accounts, but will only have one person record. True/False
True. It’s important to stress that Rick is the sole financially responsible individual for both
entities (the residence and the small business). This means that there is only one financially
responsible individual. This individual has his demographic information recorded on a
person record.
This person may choose to have all of his obligations on one bill or to segregate them onto
two bills. Their choice will dictate if he has one or two accounts.
If a customer moves without paying their debt and then returns two years later and tries to
resume service, the system will be able to highlight this to the customer service rep.
True/False
True. This is because an account stays with a customer from cradle to grave. When debt is
written off, a write-off service agreement is created and uncollectable debt from the
account’s regular service agreements is transferred to it. You should associate an alert with
the write-off SA type so that the system will warn the user when an account has an active
write-off service agreement.
It’s important to know who the customer is before a premise can be added to the system.
True/False
False. You can add a premise to the system without knowing the customer.
If there are two water meters at a property, there will be two water service points linked to
the premise. True/False
True. A service point is a socket into which a meter is plugged. You can only plug one
meter into a socket. Therefore, if there are two meters, there must be two service points.
The system requires an account to exist before service can be started. True/False
True. In the system, the customer dictates how they want to be billed (that is, the number of
accounts). This means we have to know which account will be billed for service before the
service is connected (it’s a little late after the connection crew has returned from the field
and the customer is no longer on the phone). Also we need to know, while the customer is
on the phone, if we are going to reuse an existing account or create a new one.
Most service agreements are added using the service agreement page. True/False
False. Most service agreements are created behind-the-scenes when an operator starts
service using the Start / Stop Service page.
Over time, a given property’s owner may be linked to several different parties as customers
move in and out. True/False
True. Over time, a given service point may be contractually obligated to any number of
parties.
The consumption measured on one service point could be added or subtracted from the
consumption measured on a different service point in order to derive the total amount of
consumption to be billed on a service agreement. True/False
True. You can use a field on the SA / SP relationship (see the service agreement page) to
handle this type of subtractive metering requirement.
A user must choose a start option for each service to be started. True/False
False. Only some SA types use start options (which ones depend on how the system has
been set up).
Accounts on the same bill cycle will receive bills at roughly the same time every month.
True/False
True. We say “roughly” because a bill cycle has a “bill window” that can span several days. An account will receive a bill on the first day in the bill window that the system successfully creates a bill. An account may not receive a bill on the first day of the bill cycle due to missing info (e.g., a missing meter read) or incorrect information.
A customer with two accounts will, by definition, receive all of their bills at the same time
every month. True/False
False. Each account may be on a different bill cycle and the bill cycle’s schedule dictates
when the customer receives a bill.
A bill can contain bill segments for both utility and non-utility charges. True/False
True. A bill will contain a segment for every service agreement that is ready to bill.
A reprint of an historical bill contains how much the customer owed at the time the bill was
originally produced. True/False
True
Logically, a customer’s account’s bill cycle schedule should be in sync with when its
metered service agreements’ meters are read. True/False
True. In theory, you want a customer billed shortly after their meter is read. The system
facilitates this by updating an account’s bill cycle when a metered service is activated. It
uses the bill cycle defined on the SP’s meter read cycle. The system will also attempt to
keep the account’s bill cycle in sync with its SP’s meter read cycles.
You can create a bill online / real time (that is, you don’t have to wait for a batch process).
True/False
True
The persons who receive a copy of an account’s bill are defined on the account page.
True/False
True
Each person who receives a copy of an account’s bill could have it sent to a different
mailing address. True/False
True. When a bill is completed, the system creates a bill routing for each recipient. On the
bill routing is the address specified on the account / person relationship.
The bill’s due date controls when the system will levy a late payment charge. True/False
True. The bill’s due date plus parameters on the account’s customer class control when a late payment charge will be levied.
If the rate changed two times during the bill period on a bill segment, there will be three bill
calculation details within the bill segment (one for each rate version). True/False
True
A service agreement with item-based SPs will never have service quantity information on its
bill segments. True/False
False. You don’t know this yet, but it’s possible to configure item types that are associated
with streetlights to have estimated consumption (the estimated consumption would be the
estimated number of kWh used by the lamp in a given time-period). If you do this, the bill
segment will contain both the item snapshot and the estimated kWh in the service quantity
details. This means that a utility could charge per kWh for streetlights if they so desire.
The bill period (that is, the start and end dates) of a bill segment with a metered SP is
known before reads are accessed. True/False
False. The start of the bill period is known before reads are accessed because it is the end
date of the prior bill (given that this is not the initial bill for a customer). The end date of the
bill period is equal to the date of the meter read selected as the Bill Segment’s end read.
How many meter reads would be snapshot on a bill segment in the following situation:
−The bill segment’s SA has a single meter
−The meter has a single register
−The meter was exchanged twice during the bill period.
Three read details will exist - one for the original meter and an additional read for each of
the other meters that were installed at the SP.
Bill segments that are in error are saved on the database. True/False
True. This is so you can see how far the system got before the error was detected. Every
bill segment in error appears on a To Do list.
The service agreement’s SA type controls the algorithm used by the system to create its bill
segments. True/False
True
The algorithm used to create a metered service agreement’s bill segment is far more
complicated than the algorithm used to create a deposit service agreement’s bill segments.
True/False
True
A bill without bill segments has no financial impact. True/False
False. A bill exists to communicate ALL changes in an account’s financial position to the
customer. If the customer has made payments or adjustments have been made since the
last bill, they will be presented on the next bill produced for a customer even if the bill has
no bill segments (note, if the account’s customer class indicates open-item accounting is
performed, payments and some adjustments may not be swept onto a bill).
A bill that has many bill segments (e.g., a section for the electric consumption of several
different stores) would have to be canceled in its entirety if one of the store’s sections was
incorrect. True/False
False. Each store’s bill segment operates independently of the other sections. This means
you can cancel / rebill individual segments on a bill.
The bill segment page allows users to add or remove whatever charges they please from a
bill segment. True/False
False. The charges that appear in a bill segment (including the verbiage associated with the
charges) are created by the system and may NOT be tinkered with by a user. However, a
user can cancel a bill segment and recreate it on the billing pages. In addition, a user can
override billed consumption on the SQ tab and they can override items on the Item tab.
If an account has three active service agreements, each of the account’s bills will have
three bill segments. True/False
False. This is typically true, but it’s important to understand that an SA does not have to
contribute a bill segment to a bill. See the Bill Frequency discussion in the Billing Business
Process Lesson.
What is a usage rule?
Usage Rules - Rules to calculate and validate bill determinants
What is a usage transaction?
A usage transaction is a C2M term used to denote transformed measurements that are
exported to another system, e.g. bill determinants.
What are the usage rules provided by C2M?
Consumption
Demand
TOU over Interval data
Dynamic Pricing (CPP)
Can usage rules also be used to validate usage transactions also?
Yes
Can Usage rules have eligibility criteria?
Yes, just like VEE rules
Can a usage rule call another usage group?
Yes
Name two ways usage transactions can be created?
Using the push or pull methods.
Do we have to store usage transactions?
No, for some request like usage for CSS (customer self service systems) storage is not
required.
Can usage transactions include interval data? Should we always send interval data?
Yes, but this should only be used when the downstream system must have the interval
data.
Will the system use the fallback usage groups if a Usage Group Determination Override
algorithm is included on the usage subscription type?
No.
If the remitted funds are used to pay the outstanding debt on two different accounts, two
payment events are necessary. True/False
False. This is a situation where the payor account is not the same as the payee account. In
this example a single payor covers the payments of multiple payee accounts.
Using the Payment Event QuickAdd single payment event dialog box, a single payment
event with two distribution details may be added. Each detail record references the rule
value that uniquely identifies the respective account whose debt is being relieved by the
payment.
A payment event must have at least one tender and one payment. True/False
True.
A tender contains the amount remitted and references a specific tender type (e.g., cash,
credit card, check). True/False
True.
A payment contains the amount of the tender(s) applied to a given account’s balance.
True/False
True.
Both a tender and a payment reference an account. True/False
True.
The account on a payment event’s tender(s) must be the same as the account on the
event’s payment(s). True/False
False. The account remitting the funds is typically the same as the account whose debt is
being paid. However, they can differ (e.g., when a social service agency pays other
customers’ debts).
If a customer pays with a check, the check number would be entered on the tender.
True/False
True.
If a customer remits both cash and a check, two payment events are necessary. True/False
False. A single payment event with two tenders would be recorded. This payment event
would then have a single payment to distribute the grand total of both tenders to the
account’s service agreements.
A payment segment’s financial transaction always credits a receivable account. True/False
False. The GL account credited by a payment is defined on the service agreement’s SA
type (in the distribution code field). For many types of SA’s, this is a receivable account.
However, there are other SA’s that don’t affect a receivable account – deposits and
charitable contributions – these almost always affect a payable account.
If you cancel a payment before it’s swept onto a bill, no information about the payment will
appear on the account’s next bill. True/False
True. This is analogous to what happens if you cancel a bill segment before the bill is
completed – if bill completion sees both the original FT and its cancellation are linked to the
same bill, it marks both as “do not print”.
A payment could cause a collection process to be canceled. True/False
True.
A payment could cause a stopped service agreement to be closed. True/False
True.
A payment could cause a new service agreement to be created. True/False
True. If a customer pays more than what they owe AND you have plugged in the
appropriate overpayment algorithm on customer class, the system will create an
“overpayment service agreement” at this time. This overpayment service agreement will
have a credit balance equal to the overpayment amount. This credit will be distributed to the
debt arising from future bills (if you plug in the appropriate bill completion algorithm on the
overpayment SA type).
If a check bounces, you would cancel the tender associated with the check. True/False
True. When you cancel a tender, you must specify a cancellation reason. Certain types of
reasons are used when a check bounces. These reasons cause a NSF charge to be
created.
If a check bounces, the NSF charge is levied on the account that remitted the funds (that is,
the account on the tender) as opposed to the account whose debt was relieved. True/False
True.
When you cancel a tender, the system automatically cancels all payments linked to the
tender’s payment event. True/False
True.
When you cancel a payment, the system automatically cancels all tenders linked to the
payment’s payment event. True/False
False. You tend to cancel a payment (as opposed to a tender) when it was applied to the
wrong account. The system therefore assumes the tender is still valid. In this situation, the
payment event becomes unbalanced until the sum of the event’s payments equals the sum
of the event’s tenders.
You can save an unbalanced payment event. True/False
True. Note, unbalanced payment events appear in an exception query.
A payment event created using the Non CIS Payment zone will have a separate payment
for each distribution code. True/False
True.
An FT for a Non CIS payment will typically debit cash and credit an account receivable
account. True/False
False. It will typically credit a revenue account as a receivable account only when a
payment pays for something that was previously billed.
A payment event can contain both Non CIS payments and CIS payments. True/False
True.
An installation option setting dictates if payment in alternate currency is allowed. True/False
True
The base package currency conversion script retrieves the exchange rate from a
characteristic. True/False
False - This value is stored on a Bill Factor. Bill factors must be set up for each currency
accepted; it is up to the implementation to populate the bill factor values with the effective
exchange rates.
Only one Tender Source can be defined for each user. True/False
False - Multiple Tender Sources can be defined, but only one per currency is allowed.
Cash back is calculated in the account’s currency. True/False
True
When you financially write off debt, you can write off revenue to an expense account and
write off the taxes by debiting a liability account. True/False
True.
When you use the write-off transaction, only one write-off service agreement can be
created. True/False
False. It depends on the write off method algorithm. In the base package algorithm, the
number of service agreements is dependent on the number of different SA types associated
with the distribution codes associated with the debt being written off.
If you eventually receive money for written-off debt, a payment segment is created for the
write-off SA(s). True/False
True. And because the write-off SA Type references an expense account or a liability
reversal account, this payment segment will cause the write-off expense or liability reversal
to be credited (i.e., reversed) – debit cash / credit the distribution code on the SA type.
A new service agreement is created when you create a payment arrangement. True/False
True
It’s important to transfer debt from the delinquent objects to the payment arrangement SA in
order to stop the overdue monitor from complaining about overdue debt on the original
delinquent objects. True/False
True
If the delinquent objects from which debt was transferred were on an overdue process, the
overdue process will be cancelled. True/False
True. Assuming that the overdue process’s cancellation criteria have been satisfied as a result
of the transfer.
If the delinquent objects from which debt was transferred were on a cut process, the cut
process will be cancelled. True/False
True. Assuming the amount transferred is sufficient to cancel the parent overdue process.
A special page exists to automate the creation of a PA SA for delinquent bills. This page
creates the SA and transfers unpaid FT’s from delinquent bills. True/False
True.
Bill segments will be created for the PA SA when the system bills the customer for the PA
amount. True/False
True.
The SA Type on a PA SA will reference a receivable account. True/False
True. This is because you use a PA SA to hold the outstanding receivable during the payment
arrangement period. This money must be held in a receivable account.
If the customer doesn’t pay their future bills while the payment arrangement is active, an
overdue process will start. True/False
True.
The cut process used to cut a payment arrangement will probably contain a single event
that causes the PA SA to be broken. True/False
True.
A user can break a PA SA manually using the Payment Arrangement transaction.
True/False
True.
When a PA SA is broken, all debt is reinstated under the original bills (and service
agreements). And any payments against the payment arrangement will be distributed
amongst the original bills. True/False
True.
When a PA SA is broken, an overdue process trigger is created so that the account’s entire
debt will be reviewed the next time the overdue monitor executes. True/False
True.
It is possible to have the overdue monitor create a stricter overdue process for customers
with a broken payment arrangement. True/False
True.
A user can CANCEL a PA SA at will. True/False
True. A button exists on the Payment Arrangement page to facilitate cancellation. A button also
exists to allow a user to manually “break” a payment arrangement.
What is a service point?
A service point is a location at which a utility supplies service. This is where the meter is
installed.
What is a measurement cycle? Name two ways measurement cycles are used?
The measurement cycle can serve two purposes: it can define the schedule for manual meter
reading of devices at service points in that cycle, and it can also be configured to define when to
create usage transactions for usage subscriptions associated to service points in the cycle.
Name two ways multiple meters can be installed at one logical location (de-regulated
market ID)?
a) This could be implemented by creating multiple SPs for each logical location and
referencing the same logical location ID on each.
b) Use a SP hierarchy:
Create a parent SP. No meter will be installed at this type of SP, it exists purely to group
the physical locations that can have meters installed
Create child SPs for each physical location at which a meter can be installed
What is an installation event?
Whenever a device is installed at a service point, an installation event is created. Installation
events capture the history of the devices that have been installed at a service point. This allows
consumption for a service point to be calculated over time. In technical terms, installation events
(or install events) link a specific device configuration to a service point. While a device is
installed at a service point, it may be turned off (and back on again). The installation event that
records the original installation date and time also records the dates and times when the device
has been turned on and off. When a device is removed, the original installation event is updated
with the removal date and time.
Can the application optimize meter reader routes to reduce travel time?
No.
What is the difference between critical validations and VEE rules?
Critical validations are technical data checks that ensure we can read and perform VEE on the
measurements, e.g. Invalid Device ID. VEE rules are used to validate, estimate and edit
measurements from a business perspective, e.g. high/low checks, spike checks, etc.
What is VEE Eligibility Criteria used?
A VEE rule may optionally have eligibility criteria that controls if the rule is applied. This feature
can reduce the number of VEE groups required by an implementation because it allows a single
VEE group to have conditional VEE rules (rather than requiring a distinct VEE group for every
combination of VEE rules). Eligibility Criteria determines if a VEE rule will be called.
How can factors be used to dynamically assign VEE groups?
An implementation can set up a VEE rule that dynamically executes another group’s rules. For
example, what if the VEE process should execute different VEE rules based on where the SP is
located, OR the number of tamper events in the last 6 months, OR the type of customer OR the
meter’s head-end system, etc.
Can MDM perform VEE on estimated data?
Yes
Can multiple estimation process be called for the same IMD?
Yes, all rules can be called multiple times from a single VEE group. Calling multiple estimation
rules is often a good technique to estimate data. For example, one rule can be called to fill gaps
then another rule called to scale the interval data, up or down, to agree with the corresponding
register readings.
How are multipliers used? How many standard multipliers does MDM include?
During the prepare for VEE stage, the system applies the product of the channel and installation
multipliers to the Pre VEE consumption.
What are the three VEE exception severity levels:
The Info severity is used to highlight something interesting, but not sufficient to cause the IMD
to be put into the exception state. Exceptions of this severity can be used to report on the
frequency of interesting, but not fatal issues.
The Issue severity is used to report a problem that will prevent the IMD from being finalized.
Multiple “issue exceptions” can be created during VEE. If at least one issue exists after all rules
have been applied, the IMD is transitioned to the exception state.
The Terminate severity is used to report a severe issue that will cause the VEE process to stop
and the IMD to be transitioned immediately to the exception state. Only one terminate
exception can be issued (as the first one causes VEE to stop on an IMD).
Are exceptions deleted?
No, VEE exceptions are not deleted. After the issue is corrected or the IMD is overridden, the exceptions persist (in the closed state) for reporting purposes.
What can a user do to an IMD in the exception state?
A user can re-VEE, discard or manually override an IMD in the exception state.
Can VEE reprocessing be automated?
Yes, in MDM V2.0.1, IMDs can be configured to retry IMDs every X minutes. Similarly in MDM
V2.0.0, IMDs can be configured to retry IMDs in an exception state.
When validating an initial measurement for a smart device, can the High/Low VEE rule use
historical consumption from a prior scalar device?
Yes.
What is a usage rule?
Usage Rules - Rules to calculate and validate bill determinants
What is a usage transaction?
A usage transaction is a MDM term used to denote transformed measurements that are
exported to another system, e.g. bill determinants.
What are the usage rules provided by MDM?
Consumption
Demand
TOU over Interval data
Dynamic Pricing (CPP)
Can usage rules also be used to validate usage transactions also?
Yes
Can Usage rules have eligibility criteria?
Yes, just like VEE rules
Can a usage rule call another usage group?
Yes
Name two ways usage transactions can be created?
Using the push or pull methods.
Do we have to store usage transactions?
No, for some request like usage for CSS (customer self service systems) storage is not
required.
Can usage transactions include interval data? Should we always send interval data?
Yes, but this should only be used when the downstream system must have the interval data.
Will the application use the fallback usage groups if a Usage Group Determination Override
algorithm is included on the usage subscription type?
No.
What is a SQI?
A SQI (service quantity identifier) is a third identifier that can be used if UOM and TOU code do not clearly define the type of measurement. Examples include kWh, on peak, and energy consumed
How is scalar meter read data different than interval data?
Scalar meter reads are often read is a sporadic basis, like March 15, April 16, or May 13.
While interval data is fixed and provides consistent readings every hour, every 30 minutes
or every 15 minutes, etc.
What is the difference between consumptive and subtractive metering?
Consumptive readings provide measurement values like KW. While subtractive meter
reading devices only provide a stop reading and C2M must calculate the consumption (Stop
Read – Previous Read) * Meter Multiplier
What is admin data?
Admin data is administrative data that does not change very often. This includes MC and
SP types. Admin data (or reference data or control data) defines the types of master data
that may exist. This data is accessed via
What is master data?
Master data is non-transactional data that defines a business entity. Examples include data
about devices, device configurations, MCs, etc. Most master data objects have a
corresponding admin object. Master
A bill segment has a related FT, which controls how the service agreement’s debt and the
GL are affected by the bill segment. True/False
True
An adjustment has a related FT, which controls how the service agreement’s debt and the
GL are affected by the adjustment. True/False
True
A payment has a related FT, which controls how the service agreement’s debt and the GL
are affected by the payment. True/False
False. A payment doesn’t have a financial transaction. Rather, the payment’s payment
segments each have a financial transaction.
A FT references a service agreement, not an account. True/False
True
In order to determine an account’s balance, the system summarizes all FTs linked to the
account’s service agreements. True/False
True
If a bill segment is canceled, another FT is created and linked to the bill segment. This FT
reverses the financial effects of the bill segment. True/False
True. This means a bill segment can have a maximum of two FTs linked to it – the original
plus the cancellation.
If an adjustment is canceled, another FT is created and linked to the adjustment. This FT
reverses the financial effects of the adjustment. True/False
True
If a payment is canceled, an FT is created for each of the payment’s payment segments.
These FTs reverse the effects of the payment. True/False
True
All financial transactions affect the GL in some way. True/False
False. FTs that just affect a service agreement’s current balance (as opposed to its payoff
balance) do not affect the GL. A good example of such a FT a bill segment that charges for
a deposit (as most companies do not update the GL for a deposit being billed because it’s
not truly debt).
FTs that affect the GL have at least two GL distribution lines. True/False
True. There must be at least one GL account debited and another that is credited. Note,
most bill segment FTs have more than two GL distribution lines.
FTs are interfaced to the GL via a flat file. True/False
True
A given FT may affect a service agreement’s payoff balance and/or current balance.
True/False
True. Note, most FTs affect payoff and/or current balance. The FT algorithm used to create
the FT controls which balance is affected. However, there is an interesting FT algorithm
that affects neither current nor payoff balance – the one used to book company usage.
These FTs only affect the GL.
The system creates FTs behind-the-scenes when bill segments, payment segments, and
adjustments are created. True/False
True. You don’t know this yet, but FTs for payment segments are only created when the
payment is frozen, not when the payment is created.
The service agreement’s bill segment type controls how the system creates FTs for the
SA’s bill segments. True/False
True. This means all bill segment FTs linked to a SA are created using the same algorithm.
The service agreement’s payment segment type controls how the system creates an SA’s
payment segment FTs. True/False
True. This means all payment segment FTs linked to an SA are created using the same
algorithm.
An adjustment’s adjustment type controls how the system creates an adjustment’s FT.
True/False
True. This means the various adjustment FTs linked to an SA can be created using different
algorithms.
A user is allowed to modify some fields on an FT. True/False
True
A user can create an FT without a source bill segment/payment segment/adjustment.
True/False
False
A rate schedule’s frequency controls how the system prorates the rate schedule’s
calculation rules when the bill period is outside of the frequency’s non-proration boundaries.
True/False
True. For example, if a rate schedule with a monthly frequency is used to calculate a bill
that spans 60 days, any flat charges in the rate schedule will be doubled. The system uses
the information on the frequency table to determine when and how it prorates the charges
in the rate schedule’s rate components.
If multiple rate version calculation groups are in effect during a customer’s bill period, the
system will prorate each rate version’s charges accordingly. True/False
True and False. It all depends on the setting of the Allow Proration switch on the rate
schedule. If it’s on, the system will prorate consumption across the rate version calculation
groups. If it’s off, the system will use one of the rate version calculation groups for the entire
bill segment (you control which one by populating the RV Selection Date algorithm with the
desired value).
What is the difference between a calculation rule and a calculation group?
A calculation rule holds the business rules to calculate charges, derive usage, determine
what to print on a bill or how the general ledger is impacted, etc. Calculation rules are
grouped together and sequenced within a calculation group.
A calculation group encapsulates a logical set of calculation rules.
There are three types of
calculation groups:
- Pre-processing calculation groups are generally used to derive service quantities or
massage measured quantities - Rate version calculation groups are effective-dated and used to create a bill
segment for a service agreement - Post-processing calculation groups are generally used to derive taxes on
calculated charges or perform complex general ledger distribution
Name 5 of the 13 calculation rules (or calculation rule BOs) included in the base product.
- Apply To
- Calculate Final Reading Values
- Calculate Service Quantity
- Execute Calculation Group
- Flat Charge
- Item Type
- Math
- Maximum Charge
- Minimum Charge
- Service Quantity
- Simple Summary
- Stepped Service Quantity
Can a calculation group have eligibility criteria?
No. Eligibility criteria may be linked to the calculation group’s calculation rules.
You could substitute the actual amount of consumption in a customer’s bill line. True/False
True. You use a substitution character in the rate component’s Descr on Bill field to do this.
Refer to the documentation for more information.
You could set up a calculation rule to levy a different price for a CCF of water depending on
the elevation at which the customer’s premise is located. True/False
True. You would set up a bill factor with a value that differed based on elevation gradients.
On each premise, you would define its respective elevation gradient (using a characteristic).
At billing time, the system would extract the premise’s gradient and then use the
appropriate price.
If a meter’s registers segregate consumption into time-of-use categories (e.g., peak kWh
versus off peak kWh), the commodity charges in the rate will always be expressed with
respect to the time-of-use. True/False
False. Just because a meter measures in time-of-use constituents does not mean that its
rate charges based on the time-of-use. For example, it is quite possible for there to be a
straight $0.06736 per kWh charge in the rate.
If the rate has an appropriate calculation rule, the system will amalgamate the time-of-use
consumption at billing time. For example, if the meter provides ”kWh/on” and “kWh/off”, a
calculate SQ calculation rule can add the two values to derive total kWh.
Assume that a meter measures the amount of natural gas used by a consumer. Assume
that the consumer is purchasing gas from an outside supplier and the supplier reports how
much gas they shipped to the utility on behalf of the consumer.
The utility company has a rate with the following charges:
−$0.012 transportation charge for each therm shipped on behalf of the consumer
−$2.34591 for each therm purchased from the utility company (in the case where the
outside supplier undersupplied)
−$1.23451 storage charge for each therm that has to be stored by the company (in
the case where the outside supplier oversupplied)
−Define the various UOM, TOU and SQIs needed in the Rate.
The UOM for all would be THM or Therm. The Time of Use would not be applicable. We
need to set up some SQIs to designate the following:
Therms Shipped - THS
Therms Over (number of therms used over the number shipped) - this usually must be
bought from the company providing the transportation. THO
Therms Under (number of therms used under the number shipped) - this must be stored.
THU
A single Rate may contain a combination of charges based on the items at a service point
(e.g., lamp and pole charges) and measured consumption charges (e.g., charge per kWh).
True/False
True.
Assume the utility is located in an area where natural gas is used to power old-fashioned
streetlights. Also assume that the individual streetlights are not metered. Also assume that
the municipality owns the streetlight (i.e., the utility does not own them).
It would be very straightforward to charge for the estimated amount of natural gas
consumed by the street lamps. True/False
True. Estimated usage could be defined for the item type used to define the gas streetlight.
If the rate book contained a rate with a different charge for each of 100 different types of
lamps, this information could be entered as a single rate. How many calculation rules are
needed on this rate to charge for these items?
This can be achieved with a single calculation rule since the item type calculation rule
allows for a list of item types.
If a rate indicates that there is a flat charge of $5 per month for the first 300 kWh, this would
be properly implemented as a true flat charge. True/False
False. It would be a stepped SQ charge with a flat amount for the first step.
A water rate with a minimum charge of $10.00 per month would be a good candidate for a
flat charge. True/False
True. If this is a charge that will be levied no matter how much consumption was used and
the consumption charges don’t have anything to do with this “minimum”, it’s a flat charge.
Be careful. There are flat charges that are based on the “first 200 units of consumption”
which are really “stepped charges”, it’s just that the first step happens to be fixed.
If a rate contains a minimum charge of $15 per month, and the measured consumption
spanned 60 days, the minimum charge would be $30. True/False
True. Assuming that the rate schedules frequency has a proration period of 30 days.
$15/month * 60days; 30days/month = $30.
The marginal revenue associated with a minimum charge can be booked to a different
revenue account than the revenue from other rate components. True/False
True.
The price per CCF could be expressed as the prevailing average cost of water in the North
East. True/False
True. This would require setting up a bill factor whose value would be updated periodically
to reflect the “prevailing average cost of water in the North East”.
A price expressed using a bill factor can differ based on some characteristic of the premise
or service point. Alternatively, the bill factor’s price can be the same for everyone (i.e., it
doesn’t use a characteristic). True/False
True.
You could substitute the price / percentage extracted from a bill factor to a customer’s bill
line. True/False
True. You use a substitution character in the rate component’s Description on Bill field to do
this. Refer to Business User Guide: Defining Rate Options for more information.
Tax percentages must be specified directly in a calculation rule. True/False
False. Tax percentages are RARELY specified in the rate as the tax percent is dictated by
an external organization (e.g., the city, the state, the county). Rather, the calculation rule
contains the bill factor for state taxes. This bill factor contains the applicable “state tax”. This
way, a given tax can be used on an unlimited number of rates and any changes to the tax
rate need only be made once.
A customer could be 60% exempt on their water rate’s state tax, and 20% exempt on their
electric rate’s state tax. True/False
True. Tax exemptions are defined at the service agreement level and therefore can be
different for each rate.
If the tax changes during a customer’s bill period, the system may prorate the change
based on the number of days the tax rates are in effect. True/False
True. Whether the system prorates is defined on the bill factor table. For each bill factor, the
user must indicate if changes are proratable, and if not, what date should be used to select
the tax rate.
The system could support an ozone depletion tax that is based on how much power is used
by a customer (i.e., the tax would be based on the number of kWh / therms). True/False
True.
You would typically have to locate a taxation expert to determine how to implement the
various tax proration algorithms. True/False
True. It is very rare to find a rate expert who also understands the rules associated with the
proration of tax changes.
A rate with a commodity charge of $1.06765 per therm would never be prorated. True/False
True. Non-stepped usage charges are never prorated.
Explain why most taxes do not require special processing for a bill period that is either
shorter or longer than a normal bill period.
Taxes are typically a percent of value, which does not imply any time.
A calculation rule that is used to describe how much to PAY a customer who generates
power with a windmill will reference an expense account rather than a revenue account.
True/False
True.
The marginal revenue associated with a minimum charge may be booked to a different
revenue account than the base commodity charge. This means that the number of accounts
in the customer’s bill segment’s financial transaction may differ from month to month.
True/False
True.
Assume a city changes its tax rate 3 times during a given bill period. The resultant bill
segment may contain 3 separate lines for the city tax. True/False
True. We use the word “may” as you control if bill factor changes prorate by setting a switch
on the bill factor. If you indicate proration is allowed, the system will produce a separate bill
line for each bill factor value effective in the bill period.
Two customers using the same Rate will, by definition, have the same general ledger
accounts in the journal entry associated with their bills. True/False
False. The revenue side of the entry can vary by revenue class (an attribute on the SA’s SA
type). So a residential customer could have a different journal entry than a commercial
customer, even if they use the same rate.
Is the trace feature available to all rates on the rate check portal?
No, the trace feature is only available for rates configured using calculation rule-based
rates. The trace functionality is not enabled for classic rate schedules. The rate check portal
may be used to test rates configured using both rating engines.
If a customer was charged an incorrect rate on a bill, the proper way to correct the error is
to calculate what the customer’s bill should have been and then create an adjustment to
affect the SA’s balance accordingly. True/False
False. The correct method is to change the rate on the SA and then do a cancel/rebill in the
billing subsystem. The cancel/rebill process will reverse the original bill segment and create
a new one. In other words, correct the cause of the error, not the effect.
An adjustment can be used to change the amount a customer owes for a deposit.
True/False
True. You don’t know this yet, but a deposit is held on a service agreement just like every
other type of “debt”. Therefore, you can use an adjustment to change the amount of deposit
“debt.”
A single adjustment can be used to modify several service agreements’ debt. True/False
False. An adjustment is linked to a service agreement. To change several service
agreements’ debt, it would be necessary to create several adjustments.
An adjustment is used to charge a customer for a bounced check. True/False
True. Adjustments can be used to levy any type of one-time charge. The system creates an
NSF adjustment behind-the-scenes when a tender is canceled using a NSF reason code.
Many one-off charges are levied by creating adjustments “behind the scenes.” True/False
True. Besides NSF charges, the system creates adjustments for late payment charges and connection charges (connection charges can be created via an adjustment on a start option) and many other charges.
All adjustments have an adjustment type. True/False
True.
All adjustments affect the GL in some way. True/False
False. Adjustments that just affect a service agreement’s current balance (as opposed to its
payoff balance) do not affect the GL. A good example of such an adjustment is one used to
change a budget service agreement’s current balance.
An adjustment type could reference both a default amount and a default amount algorithm.
True/False
False. The adjustment type may reference one or the other, but not both.
An adjustment can apply a rate to a quantity to calculate the adjustment amount.
True/False
True.
The default amount algorithm and the generate adjustment algorithm both provide an
adjustment amount. What is the difference between these two plug-in spots?
A user may override the amount produced by the default adjustment amount algorithm. The
generate adjustment algorithm may apply further calculations to a base amount and
produce a calculated amount. The user cannot override the calculated amount. (The user
could modify the base adjustment amount and regenerate the calculated amount.)
The generate adjustment algorithm could also produce multiple calculation lines and
general ledger details.
The general ledger account used to book late payment charges defaults from the
adjustment’s adjustment type. True/False
True. And the receivable GL account comes from the distribution code on the SA’s SA type.
A customer with a single metered service agreement who is not on a budget could have an
adjustment where current amount differs from payoff amount. True/False
False. There is no justification for these two attributes to differ for such an SA. The amount
the customer thinks they owe is equivalent to how much they really owe.
The GL account defaulted from the adjustment type may be debited or credited as a result
of an adjustment. It all depends on whether the adjustment amount is positive or negative.
True/False
True. For example, if the adjustment is used to levy a charge (a positive adjustment value),
you will credit the GL account defaulted from the adjustment type. If the adjustment is used
to forgive a charge (a negative adjustment), you will debit the GL account defaulted from
the adjustment type.
Information about an adjustment always appears on the account’s next bill. True/False
False. Every adjustment’s financial transaction contains a switch that controls whether
information should appear on the account’s next bill. The value of this switch defaults from
the adjustment’s adjustment type but you can change the value as needed.
An adjustment affects an account’s total debt when the adjustment is frozen. However,
most adjustments only start aging when they are swept onto an account’s bill. True/False
True. Every adjustment’s financial transaction contains a switch that controls when the
adjustment starts aging. By default, this switch is set to only start aging the adjustment
when it’s swept onto the next bill. You can change the value as needed.
A transfer adjustment can be used to transfer funds between two accounts (e.g., a credit
balance from one service agreement can be used to offset the debit balance on another).
True/False
True.
Assume a customer had 2 service agreements, both of which have a credit balance. Next
assume that the customer would like a check for the total amount of the credit. Explain how
/ if you could satisfy this request.
Transfer the credit from SA 1 to SA2 (with a transfer adjustment). Then create an A/P
adjustment for the check amount against SA2.
It seems logical that every bill segment that is canceled will have an associated adjustment.
True/False
False. When a bill is canceled, the financial impact is recorded on the bill segment (actually
on the bill segment’s cancellation financial transaction), therefore an adjustment is not
needed to change the account’s debt.
Fact: transfer adjustments (a pair of adjustments) use a clearing GL account to “hold” the
transferred money. Question: the net effect on the clearing GL account will always be zero.
True/False
True.
Canceling an adjustment reverses its financial impact. True/False
True.
If you cancel an adjustment before it’s swept onto a bill, no information about the
adjustment will appear on the account’s next bill. True/False
True.
An adjustment that reduces a customer’s debt could cause a stopped service agreement to
be closed. True/False
True.
What is a condition code?
Measurements have condition codes, used to indicate the source and quality of a measurement.
For example:
Regularly recorded measurements might have a condition code of “Regular”
Missing measurements might have a condition code of “Missing”
Estimated measurements might have a condition code of “External Estimated” or
“System Estimated” based on where the estimation was performed.
Both Pre VEE and Post VEE values have their own condition code, which can also change
during VEE processing.
Can condition codes be changed?
Yes, condition codes can be changed. This can be done either programmatically or manually.
What is the difference between Pre and Post VEE IMD values?
The Pre VEE IMD values show the data as it came into MDM. Post VEE IMD values are after
the data has been changed by a user or the MDM system.
Can I change final measurement directly?
No, a new IMD must be created that replaces the incorrect final measurement.
Must derived values originate from the original measurement values?
No, while derived values are usually based on the final measurement other item can also be
derived. The derivation formula for each value on a final measurement is held in an algorithm
and therefore can derive anything, e.g. a profiles value for the period.
What is a usage subscription?
A record that defines how a downstream systems will want usage summarized.
Are usage subscriptions for billing only?
No, a usage subscription can be used for other purposes like sending usage to other edge
applications like load research, forecasting, etc.
Can a service point be assigned to more than one usage subscription?
Yes
Can I assign service points to sub usage subscriptions?
No.
Do I have to issue usage transaction requests for sub usage subscriptions?
Yes.
What are the three different types of Portal?
Dashboard, Standalone, Tab Page
Which statement best describes “broadcasting”?
Broadcasting is used to share information between Zones within the same Portal
What elements can be found on a “classic” (non-fusion) CC&B page? (4)
Action Bar, Dashboard, Menu Bar, Status Bar
What elements may appear on Object Display Area?
Context Menu Button, Go Look Button, Go To Button, Search Button, Grids, Accordions, Scrolls, Trees and Notebooks
Which statement is true about CC&B Help?
Help provides context sensitive information.
What is the entity for the group of tables that holds an object’s physical data?
Maintenance Object
Where else can Help text be defined?
Zone level and individual field level
What type of objects can be seen on the Application Viewer?
Data Dictionary, Maintenance Object, Algorithm, Batch Control, To Do Type, Cobol Source, Service XML, Java Docs
What are the two ways to extend the database?
Characteristics and CLOB
What are the types of Characteristics?
File Location, Foreign Key, Adhoc and Pre-defined
Where in the system do business rules reside?
Application Server
Where does user authentication happen?
Web Server
Once an entry is chosen from the Search list in Control Central, in which page does it prompt to?
- Main
- Account Information
- Customer Information
- Account Tree
- Premise Tree
Account Information
What are the objects that make up the “V”?
Person, Account, Service Agreement, Premise and Service Point
Which of the following determines the number of Accounts a customer can have?
The number of Bills the customer wants to receive (i.e. one Bill per Account).
If a User doesn’t have access rights to an Account, the Account is effectively invisible to the User. This means the User cannot access the following (choose three):
- Bills
- Bill Cycle
- Account’s Customer Class
- Premise for the Account
- Account’s Service Agreements
Bills, Account’s Customer Class, Account’s Service Agreements
What is used to classify a Customer Contact?
- Customer Class and Contact Type
- Contact Type and Contact Class
- Customer Class
- Contact Type
Contact Type and Contact Class
What types of information are configured on the To Do Type?
Message, Sort Key, Drill Key
To Do Entry Statuses
Open, Being Worked On and Complete
Which three options correctly describe what the To Do Type controls?
- The To Do list on which the entry appears
- The roles to which an entry may be assigned
- The users that can be assigned to a To Do Entry
- Algorithms for To Do processing
- Alerts created for To Do Entries
- The To Do list on which the entry appears
- The roles to which an entry may be assigned
- Algorithms for To Do processing
How are To Do Entries considered to be related to other To Do Entries on the Current To Do Zone?
- If they share the same Drill Key
- If they share the same Sort Key
- If they reference at least one common Foreign Key characteristic
- If they reference at least two common Foreign Key characteristics
If they reference at least one common Foreign Key characteristic
What does the colored block on the To Do summary page represent?
Aging
Which statements are true regarding Campaigns and Packages?
- Campaigns are structured effort to offer Package to customers
- Campaigns have eligibility algorithms
- Packages are baskets of goods and services
- Packages have Eligibility Criteria Groups
What are the plug-in spots that can be used to introduce logic during order completion?
Customer Class – Order Completion
What system event determines the type of services that will be created for the customer when an Order is processed?
Package – SAs to Create Start Method
Which of the following controls which Service Agreement and Service Point to create?
- Campaign
- Package
- Service Agreement Type/Service Point Type Relationship
- Order
Package
Order Statuses:
Pending, Held, Canceled, Complete
What entity/entities has/have Eligibility Criteria Groups?
- Orders
- Packages and Campaigns
- Packages
- Campaigns
Packages
What high level object prevents incorrect setup of Meter Configuration on a Meter?
Meter Type
What are the three different Service Point types?
Metered, Badged Item, Unbadged Item
Which statements are true about SP Meter/SP Item Installation?
- A metered service point may have zero or one meter installed at any instant in time.
- An item-based service point may have zero or one badged item installed at any instant in time.
- At a single instant in time, a non-badged service point may have many unbadged items installed at it.
- Unbadged Items may be installed on both Metered and Badged Item SPs.
Which statements best describe a Field Activity? Choose three.
- It is directly linked to the Service Point.
- It is directly linked to the Premise.
- It is Service specific.
- Multiple Field Activities on the same Service Point at a time can be grouped under different Dispatch Groups.
- Multiple Field Activities on the same Premise at a time can be grouped under different Dispatch Groups.
- It is directly linked to the Service Point.
- Multiple Field Activities on the same Service Point at a time can be grouped under different Dispatch Groups.
- Multiple Field Activities on the same Premise at a time can be grouped under different Dispatch Groups.
Which of the following events determine the specific Field Activity Type to create? (4)
Start, Stop, Disconnect Warning and Disconnect Service
Which of the following are valid Field Activity Statuses?
Pending, Held, Canceled, Complete
What are the available plug-in spots related to Field Activities?
FA Type – FA Completion
FA Remark – Activation
When is a Meter Read marked for high/low review?
When Register Reads for a Meter are created online
When Register Reads for a Meter are created via MUP2 Batch Process
Which admin object determines the high/low algorithm for Meter Read estimation?
- Trend Area
- Trend Class
Trend Area
How does the system estimate Meter Reads?
3-step estimation process
Trend based estimation process
Which of the following events require Meter Reads?
Start Service and Stop Service
What process populates FA Upload Staging?
- FACOMPL
- MUP1
- MUP2
- Process ‘X’
- FAUP-PRG
Process X
What tables does Process X populate during Field Order Completion background process? (2)
FA Upload Staging (including Steps, Characteristics, Remark)
MR Upload Staging (including Register Read, Meter Read Characteristics, Meter Read Remark)
What best describes an FT?
How it affects Payoff Balance
How it affects Current Balance
If and when it affects the GL Detail (i.e. not all FT’s affect GL)
What Payment statuses will create FTs?
Frozen and Cancelled
Which system event creates FT record for bill segments?
Bill Segment Type – Bill Segment FT Creation
What FTs get swept into a Bill during bill completion for Balance Forwarding accounts?
- Bill Segments, Adjustments, and Payments
- Adjustments only
- Adjustments and Corrections only
- Payments, Adjustments and Corrections
- Bill Segments don’t get swept into a bill, they are created with the bill
Payments, Adjustments and Corrections
What FTs get swept into a Bill during bill completion for Open-Item accounts?
- Bill Segments, Adjustments, and Payments
- Adjustments only
- Adjustments and Corrections only
- Payments, Adjustments and Corrections
- Bill Segments don’t get swept into a bill, they are created with the bill
Adjustments and Corrections only
Which status allows a Bill Segment to be regenerated? Choose two.
- Incomplete
- Error
- Freezable
- Frozen
Error
Freezable
What events can take place when a Bill is updated from “Pending” to “Complete” during the BILLING Batch Process? Choose two.
Bill Routing is created for every person who receives a copy of the Bill.
Bill messages are amalgamated from various sources and linked to the Bill.
Which of the following describes the correct order of execution of algorithms during bill completion?
SA Type Pre-bill completion, Customer Class Pre-bill completion, SA Type Bill Completion, Customer Class Bill Completion, Customer Class Post Bill Completion
Sources of Bill Messages: (6)
Account, Customer Class, SA, Rate, Meter Read’s Remark and SA’s Service Provider
How to update the price for a specific Customer only?
Via Contract Value
Which object is described as a separate statement containing both cancellation and rebill information?
Correction Notes
Which base algorithm plug in spot can call rate application?
Bill Segment Type – Bill Segment Create
Adjustment Type – Generate Adjustment
What can be linked to the Off-Cycle Bill Generator? Choose three.
- Adjustment (Frozen)
- Billable Charge (Non-canceled) or SA
- Billable Charge (Non-canceled) and SA
- SA (Non-canceled)
- Adjustment (Non-canceled)
Adjustment (Frozen)
Billable Charge (Non-canceled) or SA
SA (Non-canceled)
A primary rate schedule has two Sub Rates. The billing period is from January 1, 2010 to February 1, 2010. The primary rate schedule has two rate versions: January 1, 2009 and January 15, 2010 (proration involved). How many bill calculation headers will there be?
- 1
- 2
- 4
- 5
4
What determines price proration?
Rate Version and Bill Factor
Where can proration be disabled? Choose three.
- Rate Schedule
- Rate Version
- Rate Component
- Bill Factor
- Installation Options
Rate Schedule
Bill Factor
Installation Options
What is the correct hierarchy when setting up Rates?
Rate Schedule, Rate Version, Rate Component
Which level are SQ Rule and Register Rule specified?
Rate Schedule
Which of the following are valid Rate Component Types?
Flat Charge, Service Quantity, Item Type, Apply To, Summary, Minimum Charge, Maximum Charge, Exact Charge, Calculation Algorithm, Interval Pricing and TOU Pricing
You can define a Flat Charge, Percentage and Unit Rate source value on the Rate Component for this source type:
- Bill Factor
- Bill Factor Value
- FCPO
Bill Factor
What can cause a Bill Segment to have multiple calculation headers?
Change in Rate Versions. A Bill Segment has one or more bill calculation header and a separate bill calculation header exists for each version of the rate effective during the bill period.
What causes multiple bill lines for a Rate Component in a calculation header?
- Change in Rate Schedule
- Change in Rate Component
- Change in Bill Factor
- Changes in Rate Schedule and Rate Component
- Changes in Rate Component and Bill Factor
Change in Bill Factor
Hierarchy in setting up Bill Factor.
Bill Factor, Bill Factor Characteristic, Bill Factor Value
What entities are updated or created when running PUPL?
Deposit Control Tender Control Payment Tender Payment Event Payment
How does the base Payment Distribution algorithm work?
It distributes payments by SA Type Payment Priority and Debt Age.
Which statements best describe the relationship between Payment Tenders and Payment Events?
There can be one or more Payment Tenders for a Payment Event.
How many Bill Segment-related Financial Transactions do Pay Plans have?
- One
- Depends on the number of bills that will contain the customer’s Pay Plan commitments
- None
- Unlimited
None
How many Bill Segment-related Financial Transactions do Payment Arrangement have?
- One
- Depends on the number of bills that will contain the customer’s Pay Arrangement commitments
- None
- Unlimited
Depends on the number of bills that will contain the customer’s Pay Arrangement commitments
What controls the system behavior when the customer overpays?
- Customer Class
- Tender Type
- Installation Options
- SA Type
Customer Class
What can be defined in Adjustment Type? Choose three.
- Valid SA Types for the Adjustment
- Rate that will be used in creating Adjustment
- How Adjustment will be displayed on Bill
- Related Adjustment Type Profile
- Default Adjustment Amount
Rate that will be used in creating Adjustment
How Adjustment will be displayed on Bill
Default Adjustment Amount
Which status of Adjustment makes an impact on FT/Account balance?
- Freezable
- Frozen
- Complete
Frozen
Differentiate Champion vs. Challenger:
- Experimenting with the efficacy of proposed overdue process templates using a small subset of customers before implementing the templates on the entire customer base
- Champion – Prevailing Overdue Process Template
- Challenger – Different Template
- One Challenger Template per Champion Template. Need to define percentage of the time the system should use Challenger.
Which entity defines the type of collection process to start based on age of debt, amount of debt and type of customer?
- Debt Class
- Collection Class
- Collection Class Control
- Customer Class
Collection Class Control
How many SAs are linked to a Severance Process?
One
Where do you set up whether an Overdue Event uses “calendar days” or “work days” when determining days between event trigger dates?
Feature Configuration
Which of the following is managed by the Case Type? Choose three.
- Case statuses that define the lifecycle of the Case
- Additional required fields that may contain information (characteristics)
- If a responsible user is needed
Which of the following information can the Case Type be attributed to? Choose three.
- Service Agreement
- Person
- Customer Class
- Account
- Premise
Person, Account, Premise
Where can you find sample script syntax/schema attributes that you can copy-and-paste when creating Business Objects?
Schema Tips
Attribute that defines where elements reside on MO’s primary table.
MapField
What should exist in the MO to process BO-oriented rules?
Determine BO algorithm
What is the best way to disable (not trigger) an algorithm in the Business Object for the mean time?
Inactive Algorithm BO Option Type: specify algorithm
What is the best way to disable (not trigger) an algorithm in a specific Business Object Status for the mean time?
Inactive Algorithm BO Status Option Type: specify algorithm
What plug-in spot makes a complete roll back on a BO state specific error?
- Monitor
- Enter
- Exit
- Transition Error
- There is no way to completely roll back a BO state specific error
Transition Error
How will the child Business Object update the inherited lifecycle logic of the parent Business Object?
It can only be changed by adding additional algorithms on the child Business Object to any of the states from the parent Business Object.
BO State system events: (3)
- Entry
- Exit
- Monitor
In Business Object Lifecycle, which Status Condition means the object cannot exist in this state? It will only hold rules.
Transitory
How many Option Types can you configure in a custom BO?
- 1
- 30
- 50
- You can modify the MO to limit the Option Types
- Indefinite (you can customize any number of BO as required)
Indefinite (you can customize any number of BO as required)
Which statement is true about access rights when there is a child BO? Choose the best option.
User only needs access rights to the child BO (as access is controlled by initial invocation of BO).
Where can you find sample script syntax/schema attributes that you can copy-and-paste when creating a Script?
Script Tips
What type of Script has pre-defined inputs/outputs?
Plug-In Script
What is the difference between a Plug-in Script and a Service Script?
A Service Script has user-configured input/output while a Plug-in Script’s input/output is defined by its plug-in spot.
What can call a Business Service?
Java Program, Plug-in Script, Service Script and BPA Script
When invoking a UI Map from a BPA Script, what are the possible target areas?
BPA Area, Page Area and Pop-Up
What step causes the BPA script to terminate and pass the control to another BPA script?
Transfer Control
Which of the following is subject to Revision Control?
- Maintenance Object
- Business Object
- Maintenance Object and Business Object
- Portal and Zone
- Portal
Maintenance Object
Which of the following objects can be enabled in Bundling? (6)
Scripts, BO, BS, DA, UI Map, Portal with Zones
Which of the following describes the correct order of execution of algorithms during bill completion?
SA Type pre-bill completion, Customer Class pre-bill completion, SA Type Bill Completion, Customer Class Bill Completion, Customer Class Post Bill Completion
Which of the following entities hold the demographic info, financial info, billing
Account, Person, Premise, Service Point, Service Agreement
If a device is installed at this year and the measuring components are reconfigured on the latter part of the year, how many installed events are there? One Two Three Four
Three
Which of the following objects controls what is to be done for an overpayment?
Customer Class
Which of the following results to multiple Bill Calculation Headers?
Multiple Rate Version Calculation Group
Which of the following statement best describes the Adjustment Approval Profile:
Controls when the adjustment will be approved…
Controls if an adjustment requires approval before being frozen
Controls if an adjustment requires approval before being frozen
How does the base Payment Distribution algorithm work?
Distribute payments by SA Type Payment priority & debt age
What happens when the source of the financial transaction is canceled?
A reversal financial transaction is created
At an instant in time, how many meters can be installed at a service point?
One
How many Service Agreements can be linked in a Severance Process?
One
What are the three categories of Usage Transaction (or IMD?) Exceptions:
Terminate, Issue, Info
Which three of the following are true for a Payment Arrangement Request?
Create a Payment Arrangement SA
Which of the following is true about the Account Balance
An account’s balance is equal to the sum of the FTs linked to its SAs
Which of the following are true about Subtractive and Consumptive reading?
Subtractive MC’s usage = End Measurement minus Start Measurement.
Consumptive MC’s usage = Measurement
Choose three scenarios where Dynamic Option can be applied
- The utility has a program that credits customers for conservation during critical peak periods (CPP)
- The utility has a program where customers can optionally participate in demand response (DR) programs:
- A consumer receives a credit for consumption during a CPP event that is lower than their “normal” consumption
On what zone does work list icon appears
- Map
- Explorer
- Standalone
- Query
Explorer
Where is Service Provider associated Choices - Device Type - Device Configuration Type - Usage Subscription Type - Service Point Type
Device Type, Usage Subscription Type
How to communicate with external system?
(parang may something bill determinants ung tanong kaya usage subscription ung sagot ko)
My Answer: Usage Subscription
Bene’s answer: Service Provider
Give two primary definition for Usage Transactions
- Push for bill determinants from the subscribing systems
- Pull for bill determinants to the subscribing systems
Choose three calculation types of Apply Math Usage Rule
- Single Value
- Math Function
- Mathematical Expression
What best describes TOU Map Template SPI
A TOU template’s interval size (SPI) controls the values allowed in the Start and End Times
A template can be used to generate TOU data for TOU maps whose SPI divides evenly into the template’s SPI
A scenario wherein TOU data should be generated. Where holiday consumption should be categorized as Off-Peak regardless of the day it falls on
- Add work Calendar in the TOU Map Template and mark Holiday as off-peak
- Edit TOU Map Template to mark Holiday as “off-peak”
Add work Calendar in the TOU Map Template and mark Holiday as off-peak
If TOU Map template is described as “controls the values allowed in the Start and End Times
A template can be used to generate TOU data for TOU maps whose SPI divides evenly into the template’s SPI”.
Choose the best choice on what possible TOU data will be generated by the TOU Map template with 60 SPI value
- TOU Map template can only generate 60 minute TOU data
- TOU Map template can generate 60 minutes TOU data and 120 minutes TOU data
- TOU Map template can generate 60 minutes TOU data and 1440 minutes TOU data
- TOU Map template can generate 60 minute, 30 minute, 15 minute, 5 minute TOU data
- TOU Map template can generate 60 minute, 30 minute, 15 minute, 5 minute TOU data
TOU Map template can generate 60 minute, 30 minute, 15 minute, 5 minute TOU data
a. The season of the year (winter, spring, summer, fall)
b. The time of day (peak, off-peak, shoulder)
c. The actual temperature as compared to the historic average (normal, hotter, colder)
How many TOU codes need to be set-up?
This rate would require 36 TOU codes (4 seasons * 3 time of days * 3 temperature bands)
When is consumption aggregated?
- The system periodically aggregates consumption in batch (using a deferred monitor on the aggregator MCs)
- Users can re-aggregate real-time if they can’t wait or if the original aggregation needs to be redone due to incorrect admin or master data
- Users can create ad hoc aggregations “on the fly” and these will persist in the database
- Aggregation typically lags the current date by a few days to give the system time to upload and VEE the consumption; the amount of lag time is configured by the implementation
- Aggregation is always performed through a given “through time” (e.g., 12am) rather than through the time of aggregation
- Note: Exam only ask you to choose 4 correct answers. The incorrect choice is “Users can create ad hoc aggregations “on the fly” and these will NOT persist in the database“
- The system periodically aggregates consumption in batch (using a deferred monitor on the aggregator MCs)
- Users can re-aggregate real-time if they can’t wait or if the original aggregation needs to be redone due to incorrect admin or master data
- Users can create ad hoc aggregations “on the fly” and these will persist in the database
- Aggregation typically lags the current date by a few days to give the system time to upload and VEE the consumption; the amount of lag time is configured by the implementation
- Aggregation is always performed through a given “through time” (e.g., 12am) rather than through the time of aggregation
- Note: Exam only ask you to choose 4 correct answers. The incorrect choice is “Users can create ad hoc aggregations “on the fly” and these will NOT persist in the database“
There would be plenty of Head-End system to be used by MDM. All with Manufacturer XYZ but models may be different for each Head-End System. Which option should be taken in order for the implementation team to minimize future enhancement?
Model Number
Which measuring component type should reference a device configuration
- Physical
- Standalone
- Scratchpad
- Aggregator
Physical
Which item below best describes the goal for selecting ‘Maximum’ as the comparison method for the High/Low validation rule?
- To identify intervals with suspiciously high usage relative to surrounding intervals.
- To identify if a configurable percentage of missing measurements exceeds the specified percentage.
- The rule compares the Average Daily Usage of the current Initial Measurement Data with the Average Daily Usage for historical measurements.
- The rule compares the Peak Usage of the current Initial Measurement Data with the Peak Usage for historical measurements.
The rule compares the Peak Usage of the current Initial Measurement Data with the Peak Usage for historical measurements.
Which validation rule calculates the difference between the highest interval and the third highest interval to determine the percent difference between the two?
- High/Low Validation
- SPI Check
- Interval Spike Check
- Raise Missing Quantity
- High/Low Validation and Interval Spike Check
Interval Spike Check
Which of the following are is an example of a critical validation performed by the IMD Seeder Business Object?
- Performing a Spike Check
- Deriving the head-end system and the measuring component
- Performing a High Low Check
- Estimate Missing Intervals
Deriving the head-end system and the measuring component
Which is the bare minimum requirement in uploading an IMD XML
- mcIdN
- dvcIdN
- serviceProvider
- mcId
- serviceProviderExternalId
mcId
How will you configure additional Final Values Overlay Profiles
- Business Object
- Feature Configuration
- Extendable Lookup
Extendable Lookup
A scenario wherein a 1st device event was received which is waiting for the 2nd device event. Which BO is associated to the 1st device event:
Choices:
- D1-PairedEventFirstDeviceEvent
- D1-PairedEventLastDeviceEvent
D1-PairedEventFirstDeviceEvent
A scenario with Daylight Savings Time. Where can you configure Incoming Data Shift? Choices: - Device Type - Service Point - Usage Subscription Type - Measuring Component Type
Device Type
Which BO performs critical validations on initial measurement data?
D1-IMDSeeder
A question asking what are the VEE Group Roles?
Initial Load, Estimation, Manual Override
How can you ensure that a VEE Rule will be executed..?
Configure a fallback VEE Group
Client wants the following:
• Trigger Spike check…
• If there is a spike exception, the interval that cause it will be filled up by estimation VEE rule.
• All missing measurements will also be fill up by estimation VEE rule.
Given Table: Date/Time Measurement 01/01 03:00 PM 13.XX 01/01 04:00 PM Missing 01/01 05:00 PM 14.XX 01/01 06:00 PM 150.XX
Select only two that will be an output of the given scenario after the VEE Rule (as per client’s specification) is executed.
NOTE:
There will be five choices stating different date/time and their corresponding condition code after the VEE Rule is executed.
- 01/01 04:00 PM will be estimated
2. 01/01 06:00 PM will be estimated
Choose two best answer: Question about the usage of service point/measurement cycle relationship.
- Initiate manual meter reading…
2. Initiate push of bill determinants…
What relationship between the external system and MDM is needed to be defined before creating Usage Transaction / Bill Determinants?
Usage Subscription
Define the relationship between final measurements and derived values.
Final measurements can have multiple derived values…
How many derived values can be stored the final measurement.
10
Choose the best answer: A scenario about a client specification on a usage calculation which should result a “Grand Total” of each UOM and TOU combination.
Service Quantity Math
Choose the 3 types of VEE Exception.
- Information
- Issue
- Terminate
Choose the 2 answers: What are defined in Usage Subscription Type?
- Valid Usage Recipients
2. Valid Service Point Type
Choose the 4 answers: What items can be aggregated?
- Substation and Feeder
- Postal Code
- Transformer
- Unit of Measure
Choose the 1 answer: How many Service points can be link to a Usage Subscription?
Unlimited
Choose the 1 answer: MDM Object that is associated with Device Events.
Activities
Choose the 1 answer: A scenario where an IMD is created but is not yet finalized. Measurements of that IMD has passed what kind of checking?
Critical Validation
Choose the 2 answers: A scenario where there is a given two types of MC, which executes a similar VEE Group, but only one of the two MC should execute Negative Consumption Check. Question: What is the best way to implement this?
- …use eligibility criteria…
2. …use factors…
Choose the one answers: A scenario where an IMD is manually loaded. How do you finalized it?
Go to IMD Page and click Perform Additional Mapping.
