Which two statements correctly describe important concepts about persons?
A person's status indicates if they are a current customer.
A person record is always linked to an account record.
A person exists for every individual or business.
A person may have zero, one, or more forms of identification recorded.
A person can only be linked to another person via an account record.
The Answer Is:
C, DExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter, thepersonentity represents an individual or business interacting with the utility. The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide clarifies:
Statement C: "A person exists for every individual or business." This is correct, as the system creates a person record for each entity (individual or business) that interacts with the utility, such as customers, vendors, or landlords.
Statement D: "A person may have zero, one, or more forms of identification recorded." This is also correct. The system allows for multiple forms ofidentification (e.g., Social Security Number, Tax ID) to be associated with a person, or none at all, depending on the configuration.
The other statements are incorrect:
Statement A: A person’s status does not directly indicate if they are a current customer; instead, it reflects their relationship status (e.g., active, inactive) with the system, which may not be tied to customer status.
Statement B: A person record is not always linked to an account record; for example, a person could be a contact or landlord without an account.
Statement E: Persons can be linked to other persons through relationships (e.g., household members) without requiring an account record.
Thus, the correct answers areCandD, as they accurately describe the person entity in the system.
As part of processing an enable service orchestrator, the algorithm D1-CNSPINSDV (Connect SP and/or Install Device) may determine if a specific activity needs to be created or an action to take place based on the state of the service point. Based on the state of the service point, what can this algorithm directly do?
Create install event
Update status of service point
Create device and install event
Create smart meter command
The Answer Is:
AExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter, theenable service orchestratormanages the process of initiating or enabling utility services, often involving field activities like connecting service points or installing devices. The algorithmD1-CNSPINSDV (Connect SP and/or Install Device)is a system-provided algorithm that evaluates the state of aservice point(e.g., disconnected, inactive, active) to determine necessary actions. The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Configuration Guide specifies that this algorithm can directlycreate an install eventbased on the service point’s state.
Aninstall eventis a record that documents the installation of a device (e.g., a meter) at a service point, including details like the installation date and device configuration. The D1-CNSPINSDV algorithm assesses whether the service point requires a device installation (e.g., if no device is currently installed) and triggers the creation of an install event to initiate the necessary field activity. This ensures that the service point is properly equipped to deliver and measure services.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide further explains that the algorithm is designed to automate service enablement by generating install events when the service point’s state indicates a need for device installation, streamlining the process and reducing manual intervention.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
Option B: Update status of service point.The algorithm does not directly update the service point’s status; status changes are typically handled by other processes or algorithms after the install event is processed.
Option C: Create device and install event.The algorithm creates an install event but does not create the device itself; devices are pre-defined in the system.
Option D: Create smart meter command.The algorithm does not create smart meter commands, which are specific to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) interactions and handled by other components.
Practical Example:A customer requests new electric service at a premise with an inactive service point and no installed meter. The D1-CNSPINSDV algorithm detects the service point’s state and creates an install event, prompting a field activity to install a meter. Once the meter is installed, the install event updates the service point’s configuration, enabling service activation.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter User Guide highlights that the D1-CNSPINSDV algorithm is a key component of service enablement, ensuring that field activities are triggered efficiently based on service point conditions.
What determines an account's balance?
The sum of all the financial transactions linked directly to the service agreements related to the account
The logic defined in a plug-in spot on Installation Options
The amount recorded in the "Balance Due" field on an account
The sum of all the financial transactions linked directly to the account
The sum of all the balances recorded in the "Balance Due" field on each service agreement related to the account
The Answer Is:
AExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter, anaccount’s balancerepresents the total amount owed or credited for all services associated with the account. The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Billing Guide explicitly states that the account’s balance is determined bythe sum of all the financial transactions linked directly to the service agreements related to the account. Financial transactions, such as bill segments, payments, and adjustments, are recorded against specific service agreements, which are in turn linked to the account. The account’s balance is the aggregate of these transactions, reflecting the net financial position.
This approach ensures that the balance accurately captures all charges, payments, and adjustments associated with the account’s service agreements. For example, if an account has two service agreements—one for electricity and one for water—each with its own bill segments and payments, the account’s balance is the sum of the financial transactions (e.g., charges minus payments) for both agreements.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
Option B: The logic defined in a plug-in spot on Installation Optionsmay influence how transactions are processed, but it does not directly determine the account’s balance.
Option C: The amount recorded in the "Balance Due" field on an accountis a display field that reflects the calculated balance, not the source of the balance determination.
Option D: The sum of all the financial transactions linked directly to the accountis incorrect because financial transactions are linked to service agreements, not directly to the account.
Option E: The sum of all the balances recorded in the "Balance Due" field on each service agreementis misleading, as service agreements do not maintain a separate "Balance Due" field; the balance is calculated at the account level based on transactions.
Practical Example:Consider an account with a service agreement for electricity, which has a bill segment of $100 and a payment of $80. The financial transactions for this service agreement total $20 ($100 - $80). If the account has no other service agreements, the account’s balance is $20, calculated by summing the financial transactions linked to the service agreement.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide emphasizes that this structure allows for accurate financial tracking, as all transactions are tied to service agreements, which roll up to the account level for billing and reporting purposes.
Where can a business user configure what zones are to be displayed for them in Control Central/Customer 360?
User - Portal Preferences tab
Portal - Zone tab
Zone - Portal tab
User - Main tab
The Answer Is:
AExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter,Control Central(also referred to as Customer 360) is a centralized dashboard that displays customer and device-related information in configurablezones(e.g., account summary, service points, billing history). The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Configuration Guide specifies that a business user can configure which zones are displayed in Control Central via theUser - Portal Preferences tab. This tab allows users to personalize their view by selecting, arranging, or hiding zones based on their role and preferences, enhancing productivity and usability.
TheUser - Portal Preferences tabprovides a user-specific configuration interface where individuals can customize the layout and content of portals like Control Central. For example, a customer service representative might choose to display zones for account details, recent bills, and service points, while hiding zones for technical device data that are less relevant to their tasks.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter User Guide further explains that this personalization is stored at the user level, ensuring that each user’s Control Central view is tailored to their needs without affecting other users. This is particularly valuable in utilities with diverse roles, where different users require access to different types of information.
The other options are incorrect:
Option B: Portal - Zone tab.This is incorrect, as the Portal - Zone tab is used to define the zones available in a portal, not to configure user-specific displays.
Option C: Zone - Portal tab.This is incorrect, as it reverses the relationship; zones are linked to portals, but this is a system-level configuration, not user-specific.
Option D: User - Main tab.This is incorrect, as the User - Main tab contains general user information (e.g., name, role) but does not manage portal preferences.
Practical Example:A billing specialist configures their Control Central view in the User - Portal Preferences tab to display zones for “Account Balance,” “Recent Payments,” and “Bill History,” while hiding the “Device Technical Details” zone. This customized view allows the specialist to quickly access billing-related information when assisting customers, improving response times.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide underscores that user-configurable zones in Control Central enhance the system’s usability, enabling utilities to support diverse workflows while maintaining a consistent data access framework.
An issue is detected in a frozen bill segment prior to a bill being completed and sent out. If the frozen bill segment is then cancelled and rebilled, which two statements are correct after the bill has been completed?
Both the originating and cancellation financial transactions are swept onto the same bill and the Show on Bill switches on the financial transactions will be deselected.
The bill will include both the original bill segment that was cancelled and the new billsegment details for the customer to see.
The bill will only include the newly created bill segment details for the customer to see and the cancelled bill segment details will be suppressed from all subsequent bills.
The bill will only include the newly created bill segment details for the customer to see and the cancelled bill segment details will be included in the following bill.
Both the originating and cancellation financial transactions are swept onto the same bill and the Show on Bill switches on the financial transactions will be selected.
The Answer Is:
A, CExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter, when a frozen bill segment is cancelled and rebilled due to an issue, the system handles the financial transactions and bill presentation as follows:
Statement A: "Both the originating and cancellation financial transactions are swept onto the same bill and the Show on Bill switches on the financial transactions will be deselected." This is correct. According to the Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Billing Guide, when a bill segment is cancelled, both the original (originating) and cancellation financial transactions are included in the bill, but their "Show on Bill" switches are deselected to prevent them from appearing as line items on the customer's bill, ensuring clarity.
Statement C: "The bill will only include the newly created bill segment details for the customer to see and the cancelled bill segment details will be suppressed from all subsequent bills." This is also correct. The documentation specifies that after cancellation, only the new (rebilled) bill segment is visible to the customer, and the cancelled bill segment is suppressed to avoid confusion.
The other statements are incorrect:
Statement B: Including both the original and new bill segments for the customer to see would create confusion and is not standard practice in the system.
Statement D: The cancelled bill segment details are not included in the following bill; they are suppressed entirely after cancellation.
Statement E: The "Show on Bill" switches are deselected, not selected, to ensure the cancelled transactions do not appear on the bill.
Thus, the correct answers areAandC, as they accurately reflect the system's handling of cancelled and rebilled segments.
A Rate Schedule contains the calculation rules that perform specific types of calculations. Which three options are controlled by a Rate Schedule’s configuration?
The method used to calculate each bill segment calculation line’s value
The SA Types that are valid for the rate schedule
The contents of each bill segment calculation line
Which Usage Calculation Group to initiate for usage calculations
The General Ledger (GL) account impacted by each bill segment calculation line
The Answer Is:
A, B, EExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter, aRate Scheduledefines the rules and calculations used to determine charges for services, forming the backbone of the billing process. The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Configuration Guide details the components controlled by a Rate Schedule’s configuration:
Option A: The method used to calculate each bill segment calculation line’s value.This is correct, as the Rate Schedule specifies the calculation methods (e.g., flat rate, tiered rate, time-of-use) for determining the monetary value of each bill segment calculation line based on usage or other factors.
Option B: The SA Types that are valid for the rate schedule.This is also correct, as the Rate Schedule defines which Service Agreement Types (SA Types) can use the rate, ensuring that only applicable services are billed under the schedule.
Option E: The General Ledger (GL) account impacted by each bill segment calculation line.This is correct, as the Rate Schedule configuration includes the GL accounts to which charges are posted, ensuring accurate financial reporting.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Billing Guide explains that Rate Schedules are highly configurable, allowing utilities to tailor billing calculations to diverse customer needs and regulatory requirements. For instance, a Rate Schedule for residential electricity might include tiered pricing, specify eligible SA Types (e.g., residential electric service), and map charges to a revenue GL account.
The other options are incorrect:
Option C: The contents of each bill segment calculation line.While the Rate Schedule influences the calculation, the actual contents (e.g., description, quantity) are determined by the bill segment generation process, not directly by the Rate Schedule.
Option D: Which Usage Calculation Group to initiate for usage calculations.The Usage Calculation Group is defined by the usage subscription, not the Rate Schedule, which focuses on billing calculations rather than usage processing.
Practical Example:A Rate Schedule for a commercial water service might define a tiered rate structure (e.g., $2 per unit for 0–100 units, $3 per unit above 100 units), restrict its use to commercial SA Types, and post charges to a specific GL account (e.g., “Water Revenue”). When a customer uses 150 units, the Rate Schedule calculates the bill segment line values ($200 for the first 100 units + $150 for the next 50 units = $350) and directs the charge to the designated GL account.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide underscores that Rate Schedules are critical for aligning billing with business and regulatory requirements, providing flexibility to handle complex pricing models.