Meter Automated Recharge Information System (MARIS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     

 

 

Meter Automated Recharge Information System (MARIS)

  • Modernization of the existing pre-paid energy meter infrastructure
  • AMI would eliminate Consumer and Tanesco challenges in top-up management.
  • Parts of MARIS
    • Smart Meters
    • Meter Data Management Repository (MDMR)
    • Communication infrastructure (Cellular/GPRS Module and Network)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARIS – Meter Automatic Recharge Information System

  • Meter Data Management Repository (MDMR) of usage, loads, etc
  • Head-end-System – handles the communications to/from Smart Meters and process before storing at MDMR.
  • Automated credit top-up via SMS and do away with the need of a customer to key-in the token in the meter.
  • Integrate with the existing Token Generation System
  • Mobile App through which consumer shall be able to see information related to their energy consumption
  • Web application with updated on-line data of consumers etc. (for Tanesco use)

 

 

HOW MARIS WORKS

 

 

  • Consumer interacts (electronically or physically) with Vendor to buys electric units
  • Vendor initiates the token generation to the value of the amount received.
  • Token Generator issues a (electronic or paper) token receipt to Vendor and electronic to MARIS.
  • MARIS receives the token from Token Generator via an API and generates an SMS message specifically to that meter.
  • Upon successful loading, the meter communicates to MARIS. If meter does not communicate, MARIS will initiate another transmission.
  • Consumer receives an SMS of successful token load on meter. Incase of complete failure consumer would be notified to enter the token via meter keypad.
  • MARIS, will maintain history of all transactions with the meters, Consumer queries and Token Generator interactions.
  • Consumer via USSD or SMS can interact with MARIS to track the statement of usage, current electricity balance on specific meter.
  • MARIS will log other management information i.e. units available, consumption, load, voltage, power outage etc.

 

 

 

Consumer: Benefits of MARIS

  • Reduces Time and Errors on recharging Luku
  • Reduces error costs to the Customer i.e. eliminate token sharing  via communication medias i.e sms, whatsapp e.t.c
  • Introduces the opportunity for preset automated recharging
  • Consumer can check on unit balance and energy consumption.
  • Indirectly increase society safety, since customers will be able to recharge at the safety of homes or when away.

 

 

 

Benefits of Automated LUKU

  • Allows online monitoring of the LUKU meters of operational data i.e. measurements of current, voltage, consumption, potential line overloads(too many meters) etc.
  • Reduces Customer supports costs i.e. eliminate token sharing induced errors, removes key-in errors
  • Introduces Automated Consumer Preconfigured LUKU automated recharging – LESS Queues at Vendors shops
  • Potential Source of Revenue: Introduction of feature access fees i.e. query for usage statement, reduction of customer support costs, etc!
  • Eliminates risks of meter bypass, as usage monitoring is possible (unused meter is a suspect)