Reading XML Import Enhanced task

The Reading XML Import Enhanced task type allows you to import large numbers of meters with interval and register data, with and without automatic validation and estimation. When the task completes processing, the new task adapter provides a summary message that provides the number of meters, number of imported channels, and the processing time.

The IEE installer populates many of these parameters with default values. The default value might not be the recommended or optimal setting for your specific IEE implementation. You must tune these values to achieve optimal system performance.

Configuring a task template

  1. In IEE, select System Operations > Task Management > Task Templates.

  2. Use the dropdown menu to select the Task Type and Task Template. (Click Add to create a new task template.)

  3. Configure the Task Specific Parameters. These parameters are defined after step 5 of this procedure.

  4. Configure the Common Task Template Parameters.

  5. Click Save.

Task Specific Parameters External System

Defines any external system to which IEE configuration data can be associated. In many places, this parameter provides you with the dropdown menu to select from the external systems configured in the External System table.

Import Directory

Defines the folder that IEE monitors for incoming files. IEE automatically schedules files that arrive in this directory for import. You define the paths to default import directories in the IEE System Administration workbench. When configuring the import directory parameter in an import task template, enter the file path to the directory that IEE monitors for import files specific to this task. This parameter supports standard IEE macros. Reference as ($ImportDirectory) when configuring a task.

(When configuring Contingency Read requests, the Import Directory must match the Workbin 0 Path parameter on the AMI Reading Import task.)

File Mask

Defines a file extension or a partial file name that IEE uses to monitor import directories and create export files. Enter a file mask such as .xml when configuring an import or export task template. When a file arrives in the import directory, IEE automatically schedules the file for import if it matches the mask. IEE ignores files that do not match the file mask. When creating an export file, IEE appends this mask to the file name.

Owner of Import Tasks

Defines the user ID associated with a task. By default, this field populates with the user currently logged into IEE.

Number of Channels per File When Splitting

Defines the number of channels a reading import file can contain. When the import task reaches this number, it starts another file to contain the next batch of channels.

Mark as Unsolicited

Defines whether readings imported by this task arrived by the typical automated process or whether they arrived through a manual process. For example, a technician might record a reading in the field and send it to IEE manually. IEE uses this parameter to determine what action to take for service orders when communication is restored between IEE and a meter. For import directories that receive readings from a manual process, set this parameter to True. For import directories that receive readings from the normal automated process, set this parameter to False.

Bypass All Validation Rules on Import

Determines if validation is run on imported data. Select True to bypass validation and assign a status of NV. Select False to perform validation.

Typically, this parameter should be set to True only when configuring task templates that are used to migrate readings from an old MDM system, where validation and estimation services were previously performed.

Caution: Do not set this parameter to True when you are loading data into a production IEE instance.

Write Out Duplicate Values to a File

Determines whether to write duplicate values for the Reading XML Import task template. Select True to write duplicate values to a new XML readings file. Select False to discard the duplicate imported reading values.

XML reading imports files from handheld reading devices. Import files must observe the ConfirmBilled “cut-off” date. Any readings within the import file, with timestamps prior to the cut- off date, must not be imported automatically, but instead saved to a new XML readings file (in a new directory within the Data/Import/Readings folder directory). Only readings with date stamps later than the cut-off date are imported.

Warn if Duplicate Values are Present in Import File

Determines whether to enable warnings for the Reading XML Import task template. Select True to enable warnings. Select False to disable warnings. This warning writes to the log event service. If set to True, then duplicate values write to the log as ReadingImportExportMessages.Dup.

XML reading imports files from handheld reading devices. Import files must observe the ConfirmBilled “cut-off” date. Any readings within the import file, with timestamps prior to the cut- off date, must not be imported automatically, but instead saved to a new XML readings file (in a new directory within the Data/Import/Readings folder directory). Only readings with date stamps later than the cut-off date are imported.

Use Full Configuration

Determines whether IEE uses the FlatConfig database tables to resolve entities. If set to True, IEE performs a full configuration lookup without using the FlatConfig database tables. If set to False, IEE performs a full configuration lookup using the FlatConfig database tables. This is an optional setting.

Save Data in Whole Meters

Determines whether all data for a meter in the import file is grouped together. Select True to group the data by meter. Select False to disable this feature.

Display Progress Informational Message

Determines whether progress informational messages display during import. Select True to display messages or False to deactivate this feature.

Observe Confirmed Bill Cutoffs

Determines whether IEE will observe the confirmed bill cutoff date for XML reading import files from handheld reading devices, when using the Reading XML Import task template. Select True to enable this feature. Select False to disable this feature.

XML reading imports files from handheld reading devices. Import files must observe the ConfirmBilled “cut-off” date. Any readings within the import file, with timestamps prior to the cut- off date, must not be imported automatically, but instead saved to a new XML readings file (in a new directory within the Data/Import/Readings folder directory). Only readings with date stamps later than the cut-off date are imported.

Estimation Mode

Determines when automatic estimation is performed during data import. The valid values are as follows:

  • DCW. Estimation runs at the close of the data collection window (DCW) on data that arrived for the current data from meters with an Active meter status. DCW mode enables the Data Collection Window ID parameter.

  • Immediate. Estimation runs in-line, as data arrives. Typically, select Immediate for high- priority, low-volume imports. For example, when importing pick-up reads, making the data available as soon as possible is more important than overall import speed.

  • Periodic. Estimation runs at the frequency defined in the Estimation Cycles PerDay system setting.

Data Collection Window ID

Defines the data collection window (DCW) to use when the estimation mode is set to DCW.

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