Alternative methods for using and implementing meter readings

Different organizations have different requirements for recording meter readings and capturing data in their CMMS. This article details the different ways of using and implementing meter reading units to best match your desired degree of complexity and data quality.

In this article:

• Summary of meter implementation methods
• About standard naming convention
• About component naming convention
• About the meters as sub-assets alternative method
• Implement the meters as sub-assets method

Summary of meter implementation methods

Users can choose between the standard naming convention, the component naming convention, or the alternative implementation method called meters as sub-assets method when choosing how to implement meters and meter reading units in their CMMS.

	Summary	Best for:
Standard naming convention	The original, simplest way to name and use meter reading units in Fiix. In this method, meter reading units are named for the measurement (e.g. Fahrenheit) and the symbol is the short form of that measurement (e.g. F)	Users new to Fiix Users new to meters Smaller, cleaner asset hierarchy Following Fiix standard practices (more accurate Help Center documents, standard troubleshooting) Lowering complexity of use
Component naming convention	An alternative way to name meter reading units for better granularity; In this method, meter reading units are named for the equipment or component using the measurement (e.g. Planer Motor 01) and the symbol is the name or short form of that measurement (e.g. Fahrenheit or F).	Differentiating components of equipment that use the same meter reading unit  Capturing more specific meter reading data  Smaller, cleaner asset hierarchy Following Fiix standard practices (more accurate Help Center documents, standard troubleshooting)  Higher complexity of recording meters for technicians A hands-on CMMS manager who can make changes to lookup tables
Meters as sub-assets method	An alternative way to use meters that adds meters as sub-assets to equipment. Then meter readings can be recorded on these sub-asset meters, allowing for higher data quality but adding complexity to the asset hierarchy. A new category of equipment is created called Meters. Meters are added as sub-assets to their equipment. Measurements are recorded on the meter sub-asset instead of the asset itself.	Differentiating components of equipment that use the same meter reading unit Capturing the most specific, granular, and scalable meter reading data for large organizations Higher complexity in CMMS maintenance  Higher complexity asset hierarchy  A hands-on CMMS manager who can make changes to lookup tables and asset categories Requires technician education to consistently and accurately use alternative method

About standard naming convention

The standard naming convention names meter reading units as what is being recorded (e.g. Fahrenheit), and naming the symbol as the standard short form of that measurement (e.g. F):

This method is the standard way of naming meter reading units in Fiix, and requires no additional or alternative work.

To add meter reading units to your CMMS using the standard naming convention, see Create new meter reading units.

About component naming convention

The component naming convention suggests naming meter reading units after the equipment to be recorded instead of the name of the meter reading unit. This helps differentiate meter readings from each other, but still uses the feature as intended:

To add meter reading units to your CMMS using the component naming convention, see Create new meter reading units. 

This method creates multiple meter reading units with different names for the same meter reading type (e.g. recording temperature in degrees F), so a key limitation and issue with this method is that the meter readings unit list can become very long, and users recording meter readings need to be careful to select the correct meter reading. 

About the meters as sub-assets method

In this method, users add meters as sub-assets to equipment. Then meter readings can be recorded on these sub-asset meters:

A new category of equipment is created called Meters. Meters are added as sub-assets to their equipment. Measurements are recorded on the meter sub-asset instead of the asset itself. 

Implement the meters as sub-assets method

To use the meters as sub-assets method:

• Add meters as an asset category 
• Create meters on equipment as sub-assets
• Record meter readings on sub-asset meters
• Create "Record meter reading" tasks 

Add meters as an asset category 

The first step to adding meters as a sub-asset is to create a new asset category for meters. This can only be done by users with access to Lookup tables, specifically Admins.

To add meters as a new asset category:

1. Navigate to Settings > CMMS Settings > Asset Categories tab. 
2. Click Add New ()
3. Name the category Meters and select Equipment as the parent category:
   
4. Click OK:
   

Meters are now an asset category, allowing users to add meters as a sub-asset to the equipment they're associated with. Users can record readings on these associated sub-assets.

Create meters on equipment as sub-assets

After meters have been added to the CMMS as an asset category, then meters can be added to the CMMS and associated with equipment as a sub-asset. 

Add each sensor or required meter reading to equipment as a meter sub-asset:

1. Navigate to Assets > All Assets.
2. Click New.
3. Click Equipment or Machines.
4. Choose the site or location where the equipment is located.
5. Name the meter. We suggest naming the meter with both the name of the equipment component and measurement (e.g. Planer motor temp, Planer head temp):
   
6. Select This Equipment is part of, and then select the equipment asset for this meter from the drop-down list:
   
7. Click Save.

Now the meter is associated with the equipment, and meter readings on that equipment can be recorded on the associated meter.

Create "Record meter reading" tasks 

Once each meter has been added to each equipment as a sub-asset, then you can set up meter-recording tasks through scheduled maintenance task functions. There are a few ways of doing this, like task groups and import tasks or scheduled maintenance. We've outlined the simplest way of creating tasks here. Your Fiix representative can assist you when working with many tasks, meters, and SMs.

To add "Record meter reading" tasks to scheduled maintenance:

1. Create a new scheduled maintenance or navigate to an existing one. 
2. Under the Labor Tasks tab, click Add New. 
3. Choose task type Meter reading and select the meter reading unit (see Create new meter reading units and follow the steps to create these meter reading units if necessary). 
4. Add a description (mandatory). 
5. Click OK.

This task can now be added or applied to any scheduled maintenance, and users can complete tasks assigned to them by recording meter readings directly on the asset.