We drive down the number of Long unread meters in your portfolio.
A blend of modern technology and traditional field research combines to create our long unread meter reading service, which makes failed meter read visits a thing of the past.
We are experts in resolving key problems that water and other utility companies need to address
What’s the challenge?
No one is fond of estimated billing – neither water companies, nor their non-household customers. Where water meters are left unread for significant periods of time, consumption is estimated leading to inaccurate customer bills and financial settlement challenges.
These inaccuracies create unnecessary and expensive issues for both water supplier and customer – including the risk of regulatory penalties, and the cost of repeated visits which often result in the same problem of being unable to locate or access the meter.
On average, only 85% of meters are regularly read during cyclical meter visits, according to MOSL data. Of the remaining 15% that are unable to be read, Occutrace reach more than 80% of them. Furthermore, around 40% of meter reads submitted to CMOS are currently rejected due to incomplete data or data issues.
With MOSL introducing league tables, underperforming parties are named and shamed. Water companies that are not on top of Long Unread Meters are facing reputational damage amongst their peers and regulatory bodies.
These common headaches are felt almost universally throughout the industry, which is why we continue to invest significant effort and resources to rectify these issues for our clients.
How does it work?
- A blend of modern technology and traditional field research combines to create our meter reading service, which makes failed meter read visits a thing of the past.
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Our UK field agents find and read the meters, then they update the location notes, the inch perfect GPS coordinates and high resolution photographs. All of this is handled in real-time with our cloud-based app – all ready for the next reader (and the ones after that) who can easily find and read the meter from there on in.
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Should problems be encountered – customer or wholesale issues – you’ll be made aware.
- What matters in our world is either finding a meter and getting a read, or identifying a problem clearly along with providing irrefutable evidence for the retailer (or wholesaler). We will name the problem and then we can come back once equipped to fix it. When it comes to internal reads or vacants we can also use our desktop research agents to update or validate data.
- No fee for unsuccessful visits as you will only be charged for the LUMs we resolve.
Benefits
- Outcome guaranteed. If we can’t read the meter, we will explain why. It may be that the meter has been moved or is now obstructed. Whatever the issue may be, knowing means you are able to do something about it.
- Irrefutable evidence to back up our conclusions. Our engineers on site will take up to three pictures per visit to not only confirm the meter read but give contextual images to make the meter simple to find the next time around. This “one and done” approach means that we have never had to revisit a long unread meter a second time. Should the engineer be unable to read the meter, they will provide an evidence pack to allow a bilateral to be raised and resolved via that route.
- Improved customer billing accuracy leading to better customer retention and greater propensity to pay.
- Increased compliance leading to improved reputational peer comparison. No threat of regulatory fines looming on your horizon.
- Improve wholesale settlement accuracy as no longer our customers must rely on YVE/ILE’s. Instead, they will be working with up-to-date and accurate data.
- Our software and systems were made for the water sector. Built from the ground up to overcome widescale industry issues.
Benefits
- Outcome guaranteed. If we can’t read the meter, we will explain why. It may be that the meter has been moved or is now obstructed. Whatever the issue may be, knowing means you are able to do something about it.
- Irrefutable evidence to back up our conclusions. Our engineers on site will take up to three pictures per visit to not only confirm the meter read but give contextual images to make the meter simple to find the next time around. This “one and done” approach means that we have never had to revisit a long unread meter a second time. Should the engineer be unable to read the meter, they will provide an evidence pack to allow a bilateral to be raised and resolved via that route.
- Improved customer billing accuracy leading to better customer retention and greater propensity to pay.
- Increased compliance leading to improved reputational peer comparison. No threat of regulatory fines looming on your horizon.
- Improve wholesale settlement accuracy as no longer our customers must rely on YVE/ILE’s. Instead, they will be working with up-to-date and accurate data.
- Our software and systems were made for the water sector. Built from the ground up to overcome widescale industry issues.
What our customers say about Occutrace
It is our ambition to deliver quality service and actionable results to the utility companies, national water retailers and wholesalers and MOSL. Hearing customer feedback about the team and the way we work together is invaluable.
Contact Now
Get in touch with us today to book a consultation with the Occutrace team.
0141 280 9590
info@occutrace.co.uk
100 Brand Street, Glasgow, G51 1DG