Packages vs. bare CSV files

While the system can accept files both in bare (CSV) and compressed (ZIP) format, Itron recommends the usage of ZIP files only for configuration packages or where multiple files are required to be uploaded together.

There is no file name mask for ZIP archives themselves, but usually there is an expected file naming rule for each CSV files, regardless of whether they are imported directly or via ZIP archive. (There can be exceptions, in that case it is stated within the specification of these individual files.) Itron therefore recommends the use of the package name masks even if it is not absolutely necessary for logging/tracking purposes.