Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter and Customer Cloud Service 2025 Implementation Professional Questions and Answers
Meters are a type of device, which can be physical or virtual objects, that can produce data to be handled by the system. Which two statements are true regarding meters?
Options:
One or more measuring components can be associated with a meter's device configuration.
Only one measuring component can be associated with a meter's device configuration.
Only one device configuration can be associated with a meter.
One or more device configurations can be associated with a meter over time.
A meter can only have scalar or interval measuring components associated with it.
Answer:
A, DExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
Meters in Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter are devices that generate measurement data, and their configurations are critical for accurate data processing. The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter documentation provides the following insights:
Statement A: "One or more measuring components can be associated with a meter's device configuration." This is true because a meter's device configuration can include multiple measuring components to capture different types of data (e.g., consumption, demand, or time-of-use readings).
Statement D: "One or more device configurations can be associated with a meter over time." This is also true, as a meter may have different configurations applied at different times, such as when a meter is reconfigured or upgraded.
The other statements are incorrect:
Statement B: "Only one measuring component can be associated with a meter's device configuration" is false because, as noted, multiple measuring components can be linked to a single device configuration.
Statement C: "Only one device configuration can be associated with a meter" is false because a meter can have multiple device configurations over its lifecycle.
Statement E: "A meter can only have scalar or interval measuring components associated with it" is false because meters can also support other types of measuring components, such as register or profile components, depending on the system configuration.
Thus, the correct answers areAandD, as they align with the system's flexibility in associating measuring components and device configurations with meters.
Operational devices can be assets or components such as smart meters, analog meters, communication components, or communication relays. Which two statements are true about components?
Options:
Components cannot be thought of as a class of assets.
Components can be installed at locations.
Components have a disposition that tracks their location and status.
Components are attached to assets.
Components cannot have specifications.
Answer:
C, DExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter,operational devicesinclude bothassets(e.g., meters) andcomponents(e.g., registers, communication modules). The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Configuration Guide provides clarity on the characteristics of components:
Statement C: Components have a disposition that tracks their location and status.This is correct. Components have a disposition record that tracks their current location (e.g., installed at a service point, in storage) and status (e.g., active, inactive), enabling precise asset management and lifecycle tracking.
Statement D: Components are attached to assets.This is also correct. Components are sub-elements attached to primary assets, such as a communication module attached to a smart meter, enhancing the asset’s functionality.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide elaborates that components are integral to asset configurations, particularly for complex devices like smart meters, which may include multiple components (e.g., registers for measuring consumption, communication modules for data transmission). The disposition of components ensures that utilities can track their whereabouts and operational status, which is critical for maintenance, replacement, and inventory management.
The other statements are incorrect:
Statement A: Components cannot be thought of as a class of assets.This is incorrect, as components are considered a class of assets in the system, albeit subordinate to primary assets like meters.
Statement B: Components can be installed at locations.This is incorrect, as components are attached to assets, which are installed at locations (e.g., service points), not directly installed themselves.
Statement E: Components cannot have specifications.This is incorrect, as components can have specifications defining their manufacturer, model, and technical details, similar to primary assets.
Practical Example:A smart meter (asset) has a communication module (component) attached to it. The communication module’s disposition record indicates it is installed at a service point with the meter and is active. If the module fails, the disposition is updated to “in repair,” and the system tracks its movement to a repair facility. The module’s specification details its model and compatibility with the meter, ensuring proper replacement.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter User Guide emphasizes that component tracking via disposition and attachment to assets is essential for managing complex metering infrastructures, particularly in utilities adopting advanced metering technologies.
At what stage in the processing related to initial measurement data (IMD) will meter multipliers be applied to measurements?
Options:
Prepare for VEE
VEE
Critical Validation
Post-VEE
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter,meter multipliersare factors applied to raw meter readings to account for device-specific scaling (e.g., a multiplier of 10 for a meter that records in tens of kWh). The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Configuration Guide specifies that meter multipliers are applied during theVEE (Validation, Editing, and Estimation)stage of initial measurement data (IMD) processing. The VEE stage involves a series of rules and algorithms to validate, edit, and estimate measurement data, including the application of meter multipliers to convert raw readings into accurate consumption values.
During the VEE process, the system retrieves the multiplier defined in the device’s configuration (e.g., in the Measuring Component or Device Configuration) and applies it to the raw measurement. This ensures that the resulting consumption data is correctly scaled for usage calculations and billing. For example, if a raw reading is 50 units and the meter multiplier is 100, the VEE process applies the multiplier to yield a consumption of 5,000 units.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
Option A: Prepare for VEEinvolves preliminary steps like data formatting or staging but does not include applying multipliers.
Option C: Critical Validationchecks basic data integrity (e.g., format, device ID) and does not involve multiplier application.
Option D: Post-VEEoccurs after VEE processing and focuses on finalizing measurements or triggering downstream processes, not applying multipliers.
Practical Example:A utility receives an IMD with a raw reading of 10 kWh from a meter with a multiplier of 10. During the VEE stage, the system applies the multiplier, resulting in a corrected measurement of 100 kWh, which is then used for billing calculations. If the multiplier were applied incorrectly, the VEE rules could flag the measurement for further review.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide highlights that the VEE stage is critical for ensuring measurement accuracy, as it integrates device-specific configurations like multipliers into the data processing pipeline, preventing errors in billing or reporting.
How many frozen bill segments are on a bill for a customer with one or more payment arrangements?
Options:
Depends on the number of bills that will contain the customer's payment arrangement details
One
Depends on the number of payments that are part of the payment arrangement
Depends on the number of active payment arrangements
None
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter, afrozen bill segmentis a finalized segment of a bill that is ready for inclusion in the billing process. The Oracle Utilities Customer toMeter Billing Guide clarifies that for a customer with one or more payment arrangements, the bill typically includesone frozen bill segment. This segment represents the consolidated charges for the billing period, including any payment arrangement amounts due, unless the system is configured otherwise for specific scenarios.
The other options are incorrect:
Option A: The number of frozen bill segments is not dependent on the number of bills containing payment arrangement details; each bill has its own segment(s).
Option C: The number of payments in the arrangement does not determine the number of frozen bill segments.
Option D: The number of active payment arrangements does not directly affect the number of frozen bill segments on a single bill.
Option E: A bill for a customer with a payment arrangement typically includes at least one frozen bill segment, so "none" is incorrect.
Thus, the correct answer isB, as a single frozen bill segment is standard for a bill with payment arrangements.
Measuring components are single points for which data will be received and stored in the system. Measuring components are either subtractive or consumptive. Which statement is correct?
Options:
A subtractive measuring component's usage is equal to the current reading minus the previous reading. A consumptive measuring component's usage is equal to its current measurement.
Subtractive measuring components are associated only with water service, whereas consumptive measuring components are for gas and electric services.
Subtractive measuring components are used to measure demand, whereas consumptive measuring components are used to measure how much was consumed since the previous reading.
Subtractive measuring components are associated with deductive meters, whereas consumptive measuring components are not.
Answer:
AExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter,measuring componentsare defined as points that capture and store measurement data, such as meter readings. Measuring components are categorized as eithersubtractiveorconsumptive, based on how usage is calculated. The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter documentation clarifies that:
Asubtractive measuring componentcalculates usage by subtracting the previous reading from the current reading. This is typical for meters that accumulate readings over time, such as water or electric meters.
Aconsumptive measuring componentcalculates usage based on the current measurement alone, without reference to a previous reading. This is common for devices that measure instantaneous or direct consumption, such as certain gas meters.
Option A accurately describes these definitions, making it the correct answer. The other options are incorrect:
Option Bis incorrect because subtractive and consumptive measuring components are not restricted to specific service types (e.g., water, gas, or electric). Both types can apply across various services depending on the meter configuration.
Option Cis incorrect because subtractive components measure consumption (not demand), and consumptive components do not necessarily measure consumption since the previous reading but rather the current measurement.
Option Dis incorrect because the term "deductive meters" is not used in Oracle Utilities documentation, and the distinction between subtractive and consumptive components is based on calculation logic, not meter types.
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?
Options:
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.
Answer:
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.
When a payment is made by a customer, it can impact their account's overall current balance. Which payment-related entity are financial transactions created directly against?
Options:
Payment Advice
Payment
Payment Event
Payment Segment
Payment Tender
Answer:
DExplanation:
Financial transactions are created against Payment Segments, which allocate payments to specific obligations.
A bill is used to communicate changes in the financial obligations to a customer. For which entity is a bill produced?
Options:
Service Agreement
Person
Landlord Agreement
Account
Customer
Answer:
DExplanation:
Bills are produced for an Account, which aggregates financial transactions and serves as the billing entity.
Bills can be generated via background processing for all accounts that belong to open bill cycles. Which three options also allow bills to be created via background processing using application-owned batch controls?
Options:
Subset of accounts not belonging to a specific open bill cycle or cycles
A specific account
Subset of accounts belonging to an open bill cycle or cycles for a specific customer class
Subset of accounts belonging to a specific open bill cycle or cycles
A user-defined list of accounts
Answer:
B, C, EExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter, bills are typically generated through background processing for accounts in open bill cycles. However, the system also supports additional batch processing options for flexibility. According to the Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Configuration Guide:
Option B: "A specific account" can be targeted for bill generation via background processing using batch controls, allowing for individual account billing outside of a standard bill cycle.
Option C: "Subset of accounts belonging to an open bill cycle or cycles for a specific customer class" is supported, enabling targeted billing for specific customer classes within open bill cycles.
Option E: "A user-defined list of accounts" can be processed via batch controls, allowing business users to specify a custom list of accounts for billing.
The other options are incorrect:
Option A: Accounts not belonging to a specific open bill cycle cannot be processed via standard batch controls for bill generation, as bill cycles are a prerequisite for most billing processes.
Option D: While similar to Option C, this option is less specific and redundant, as the system typically requires additional criteria (e.g., customer class) to define the subset, making Option C the more accurate choice.
Thus, the correct answers areB,C, andE, reflecting the system's capabilities for targeted bill generation.
Where would an implementation configure the system to prevent duplicate persons from being added?
Options:
Person
Person Contact Type
Person Identifier Type
Installation Options
Person Type
Answer:
CExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter, preventing the addition of duplicatepersonrecords is a critical function to maintain data integrity and avoid redundancy in customer information. The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Configuration Guide explicitly states that the system can be configured to prevent duplicate persons through thePerson Identifier Type. The Person Identifier Type defines the types of identifiers (e.g., Social Security Number, Tax ID, Driver’s License) that can be associated with a person record and includes settings to enforce uniqueness for specific identifiers.
By configuring a Person Identifier Type to require uniqueness, the system checks whether an identifier (e.g., a specific SSN) already exists before allowing a new person record to be created. If a duplicate identifier is detected, the system prevents the creation of the new record and prompts the user to review the existing record. This functionality is essential for ensuring that each individual or business is represented by a single person record, reducing errors in billing, communication, and account management.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide further elaborates that the uniqueness check is implemented through validation rules defined in the Person Identifier Type, which can be customized to align with business requirements. For example, a utility might configure the SSN identifier type to be unique, ensuring that no two person records can share the same SSN.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
Option A: Personrefers to the individual record itself, not a configuration point for preventing duplicates.
Option B: Person Contact Typedefines how contact information (e.g., phone, email) is stored but does not control duplicate prevention.
Option D: Installation Optionsmanage global system settings, such as default parameters, but do not specifically handle duplicate person checks.
Option E: Person Typecategorizes persons (e.g., residential, commercial) but does not include settings for duplicate prevention.
Practical Example:A utility configures the Person Identifier Type for “Social Security Number” to enforce uniqueness. When a customer service representative attempts to create a new person record with an SSN that already exists in the system, the system displays an error message, preventing the duplicate record and directing the representative to the existing person record. This ensures accurate customer data and avoids confusion in billing or service delivery.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter User Guide highlights that configuring duplicate prevention via Person Identifier Type is a best practice for data quality, particularly in large utilities with millions of customers, where manual checks are impractical.
What is redundant data that summarizes the number and value of financial transactions in the system called?
Options:
Deposit Control
Balance Control
Business Control
Account Control
Tender Control
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter,Balance Controlrefers to the redundant data that summarizes the number and value of financial transactions in the system. The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Billing Guide explains that Balance Control is a mechanism used to maintain a summary of financial transactions for reconciliation and auditing purposes. It aggregates data such as the total number of transactions and their monetary value, providing a high-level view of financial activity without needing to query individual transaction records.
Balance Control is particularly important for ensuring the integrity of financial data, as it allows the system to verify that the summarized data matches the detailed transaction records. For example, if a utility processes thousands of payments daily, Balance Control summarizes the total payment amounts and transaction counts, enabling quick checks for discrepancies.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
Option A: Deposit Controlrelates to managing customer deposits, not summarizing financial transactions.
Option C: Business Controlis not a defined term in the system for this purpose.
Option D: Account Controlmay refer to account-level financial management but does not specifically summarize transaction data across the system.
Option E: Tender Controlmanages payment tenders (e.g., cash, check) but does not summarize financial transaction data.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide highlights that Balance Control is a critical feature for financial reporting and system performance, as it reduces the need to process large volumes of transaction data for summary reports. For instance, a monthly financial report might use Balance Control data to confirm total revenue without querying every bill segment or payment.
A business user can use agent-assisted process flows for processing start/stop/transfer service requests. What can create and/or update applicable customer-related records when using this approach?
Options:
Process Flow
Child Service Tasks
Parent Customer Service Request
Child Customer Service Requests
Parent Service Task
Answer:
DExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter,agent-assisted process flowsare used to streamline the processing of start, stop, or transfer service requests, allowing business users to manage customer interactions efficiently. The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Configuration Guide explains thatChild Customer Service Requestsare responsible for creating and/or updating applicable customer-related records during these process flows. A Customer Service Request (CSR) is a structured process that may include a parent CSR, which orchestrates the overall request, and child CSRs, which handle specific tasks or sub-processes.
Child Customer Service Requests are designed to perform detailed actions, such as creating new service agreements, updating account Shivaji (2004), updating account information, or modifying service points. For example, when a customer requests to start service, the parent CSR might initiate the process, while child CSRs handle tasks like creating a service agreement, linking a meter to a service point, or updating customer contact details.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide further clarifies that child CSRs are used to modularize complex processes, allowing each child request to focus on a specific record update or creation, ensuring accuracy and traceability. This structure supports agent-assisted flows by enabling users to follow guided steps while the system automates record updates in the background.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
Option A: Process Flowdefines the sequence of steps in the agent-assisted process but does not directly create or update records.
Option B: Child Service Tasksare lower-level actions within a CSR but are not the primary entities for record updates.
Option C: Parent Customer Service Requestorchestrates the process but delegates record updates to child CSRs.
Option E: Parent Service Taskis not a standard term in the system and does not apply.
Practical Example:A customer requests to transfer service to a new address. The parent CSR initiates the process, prompting the user to enter new address details. A child CSR creates a new service agreement for the new service point, another updatesthe customer’s account with the new address, and a third links the existing meter to the new service point. Each child CSR ensures the relevant records are accurately updated.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter User Guide highlights that child CSRs enhance process efficiency by breaking down complex service requests into manageable, automated tasks, reducing errors and improving customer service.
Various records in Customer to Meter reference field and lookup values from their relevant application components. What is used to map similar field and lookup values between application components?
Options:
Domain Value Maps
Master Configurations
Lookups
Feature Configurations
Extendable Lookups
Answer:
AExplanation:
Domain Value Maps align field and lookup values across application components for consistency.
A usage subscription defines which usage calculation group should be used to calculate service quantities (often referred to as bill determinants). Which record directly initiates a corresponding usage subscription?
Options:
Service Agreement Type
Usage Request
Service Agreement
Bill Segment
Usage Subscription Type
Answer:
CExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter, ausage subscriptionis a record that links a service agreement to a specific usage calculation group, which is used to calculate service quantities (bill determinants) for billing. TheService Agreementis the record that directly initiates the creation of a usage subscription. According to the Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter documentation, when a service agreement is created or activated, it triggers the creation of a usage subscription to define how usage data (e.g., meter readings) will be processed for billing purposes.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
Service Agreement Type(Option A) defines the template or rules for service agreements but does not directly initiate a usage subscription.
Usage Request(Option B) is a record used to request usage calculations, typically for billing or analysis, but it is not the entity that initiates the usage subscription itself.
Bill Segment(Option D) is a result of the billing process and does not initiate a usage subscription.
Usage Subscription Type(Option E) defines the characteristics of a usage subscription but is not the record that directly triggers its creation.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide explicitly states that the service agreement is the entity that establishes the usage subscription to facilitate usage calculations for billing.
Why would an implementation use eligibility criteria in relation to usage calculations for calculating service quantities (often referred to as bill determinants) for billing calculations?
Options:
To determine whether a usage transaction gets generated for a usage subscription
To configure an optional usage validation group on a usage subscription type
To configure an optional usage calculation rule on a usage calculation group
To configure an optional usage calculation group on a usage subscription type
To configure an optional usage calculation group on a usage subscription
Answer:
AExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter,eligibility criteriaare used in the context of usage calculations to control whether certain conditions are met before processing usage data for billing. The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Configuration Guide specifies that eligibility criteria are usedto determine whether a usage transaction gets generated for a usage subscription. A usage subscription links a service agreement to a usage calculation group, which calculates service quantities (bill determinants) for billing. Eligibility criteria ensure that a usage transaction is only created when specific conditions are satisfied, such as the presence of valid meter readings, active service agreements, or specific customer attributes.
For example, eligibility criteria might check whether a service point has an active meter installed or whether the billing period falls within the service agreement’s active dates. If the criteria are not met, no usage transaction is generated, preventing incorrect or incomplete billing calculations.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter Implementation Guide further explains that eligibility criteria provide a gatekeeping function, enhancing the accuracy of usage calculations by filtering out ineligible scenarios. This is particularly important in complex billing environments where usage data must be validated before processing.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
Option B: To configure an optional usage validation group on a usage subscription typeis incorrect, as eligibility criteria are not used to configure validation groups; they control transaction generation.
Option C: To configure an optional usage calculation rule on a usage calculation groupis incorrect, as eligibility criteria are applied at the subscription level, not the calculation rule level.
Option D: To configure an optional usage calculation group on a usage subscription typeis incorrect, as usage calculation groups are mandatory for usage subscriptions, not optional.
Option E: To configure an optional usage calculation group on a usage subscriptionis incorrect for the same reason; usage calculation groups are required, and eligibility criteria focus on transaction generation.
Practical Example:A usage subscription for a residential electric service includes eligibility criteria requiring an active meter and a billing period within the service agreement’s dates. If a customer’s meter is temporarily disconnected, the eligibility criteria prevent a usage transaction from being generated, avoiding erroneous billing until the meter is reactivated.
The Oracle Utilities Customer to Meter User Guide underscores that eligibility criteria are a critical control mechanism, ensuring that only valid usage data is processed for billing, reducing disputes and operational errors.
Bill segment calculation lines are the source of some details that can be printed on a customer's bill. These lines are a snapshot of how the system calculated the bill segment amount. What can cause multiple bill segment calculation lines to be produced for a rate calculation rule for a bill segment calculation header?
Options:
Change of proratable rate schedule during a billing period
Nothing - there can be only one bill segment calculation line
Change in proratable bill factor value in rate version calculation group for rate schedule during a billing period
Change of proratable rate version calculation group for rate schedule and proratable bill factor value in rate version calculation group during a billing period
Change of proratable rate version calculation group for rate schedule during a billing period
Answer:
DExplanation:
Multiple calculation lines are produced due to changes in the proratable rate version calculation group and bill factor value, requiring proration.