Import Files into Neptune® 360™

The import files contain meters for which billing reads are required. The software supports the following import formats:

  • .imp
  • .txt tab delimited
  • .csv

During an import, the system checks for active existing routes and prompts you to cancel or exit the import function.

Important! For additional information about specific import and export file layouts, see the Neptune® 360™ Import and Export Processes guide.

 

 

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What You Can See and Do in This Window

Click a link to display the related information or step-by-step procedure.

Action Options

 

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Import a File

  1. Click Import near the top left of the screen to display the Import Summary screen.
  2. Click Browse to display your local folders and files.
  3. Select a file to import, and then click Open.
  4. Click Import next to the Browse button.
  5. If the file you import is more than 35 days old, the system displays an alert. Click Continue to verify the import file is the most recent version.

The system processes the file and displays a status bar for the import process. If you want to access other screens to perform other tasks, the file continues to upload in the background.

  1. If the import file contains warnings and the Confirm Import window is displayed, click Import Anyway to continue the import or Cancel to correct the data.

You can click the Errors or Warnings link to download and view the import error file in Excel.

Warning! During the validation process, if the file is invalid, the system displays a list of errors. You must fix the errors and then re-import the file. Files with errors are not partially loaded.
  1. If you want to download the imported file, click Download in the row for the file you want to download. Then you have copy of the file download to review data that may have caused a bad import.

 

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View the Import Summary

  1. Click the name of the import file you want to view.

The system displays the following screen for the selected file that shows data about the import, including the total number of routes, readings and meters imported.

  • If the download fails, the error "Import Failed. Please download the log for more details." displays in red.
  • If the download is successful but contains warnings, the error "Imported with Warnings. Please download the log for more details." displays in yellow.
  • If the download is successful but contains specific lines that failed, the error "Imported with Errors. Please download the log for more details." displays in orange.

Important! For locations in the import file that are not geocoded, the system attempts to geocode using the city, state, and zip code provided by the utility.

 

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View the Import Error File

If your import file contains errors, you can view them in an Excel® spreadsheet. A typical error is a missing mandatory field or duplicate endpoint IDs contained in the file.

  1. On the Import Summary window, click xxx Errors / Warnings .
  2. In the resulting dialog, click either Open to open the error log or Save to save the file on your computer.

The errors display in Excel and identify the source ID and the record line that contains the error.

Image shows a sample Excel spreadsheet containing data about import errors including the source file ID, the error details and related field length and field type

 

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Import Warning Descriptions

Warnings identify potential data quality issues. However, the warnings identified may not be issues at all. For example, it is valid to have records with duplicate account numbers if the account has multiple meters or a compound meter. If you receive this type of warning, continue with the import . If the import file contains more duplicates than expected, review each record associated with the warning to determine if corrections are needed or to cancel the import.

This table defines the various import warnings you may see and the impact to your import file progress.

 

Import Warning Descriptions
Error Event Impact
Blank Meter Size This warning indicates that a meter size is not defined. This field should contain data for the system to accurately calculate consumption for display and reporting purposes.

Blank MIU ID

*MIU ID can also be called Collection ID or ID Expected

This warning is valid where no MIUClosed Meter Interface Unit, also called an endpoint, that captures water consumption readings. is installed. If an MIU is installed, then no AMIClosed Advanced Metering Infrastructure. A system that captures, stores, and provides to the utility, at frequent intervals, detailed consumption and other information, such as usage, leak, and flow status, to support advanced applications. Reading the meters is automated through strategically placed gateways. reads can be captured against the record until the MIU ID is provided.

Duplicate MIU ID

*MIU ID can also be called Collection ID or ID Expected

This warning indicates that a duplicate ID appears in the import file. The MIU ID is a unique value used to associate readings. If there are multiple records with the same MIU ID in the import file, then the system does not know which MIU should receive the readings, resulting in unexpected behavior.

Blank Register UDMClosed Unit of Measure.

*Register UOM can also be called Meter UOM

This warning indicates that a Unit of Measure (UOM) is not defined. This field should contain data for the system to accurately calculate consumption for display and reporting purposes.

Unrecognized Register UOM

*Register UOM can also be called Meter UOM

This warning indicates that the value provided cannot be translated to a known standard. If the value is accurate, then contact customer support to appropriately map the value.
Unrecognized Meter Size This warning indicates that the value provided cannot be translated to a known standard. If the value is accurate, then contact customer support to appropriately map the value.
Duplicate Account Number This warning indicates that a duplicate account number is in the import file. A duplicate account number is valid if there are compound meters or multiple meters or properties under the same account. If a duplicate account number is not expected, then allowing the import and correcting account numbers later may result in consumption accumulating under the wrong account number in Neptune 360.
Duplicate Premises Key This warning indicates that a duplicate premises key is in the import file. A duplicate premises key is valid if there are multiple meters or a compound meter with the same premises information. If a duplicate premises key is not expected, then allowing the import may result in incorrect customer name and location details displayed in Neptune 360.
Duplicate Meter Number This warning indicates that a duplicate meter number is in the import file. A duplicate meter number is valid for compound meters. If a duplicate meter number is not expected, then allowing the import and correcting meter numbers later may result in consumption accumulating under the wrong meter number in Neptune 360.
Duplicate Meter Key This warning indicates that a duplicate meter key is in the import file, which has no impact in Neptune 360. If the billing system uses Meter Key and duplicates are not expected, then it may create issues with the export file.

Duplicate Route ID

*Route ID is the combination of Company, Office, Cycle, and Route

This warning indicates that a duplicate route ID is in the import fie. If all records under the duplicate route do belong to that route, then there is no issue. If some records belong to a different route, then they may be active under the wrong route in Neptune 360 and may create issues with the export file.
Missing Address Information
*Address can also be referenced as street address or premises delivery address
This warning indicates that address information is missing from the import file. This field should contain data for better searching capabilities and overall user experience in Neptune 360 and Neptune 360 Mobile.
Missing Customer Name Information This warning indicates that a customer name is missing from the import file. This field should contain data for better searching capabilities and overall user experience in Neptune 360 and Neptune 360 Mobile.
Invalid Latitude /Longitude This warning indicates that either the latitude or longitude is missing or invalid . An invalid latitude or longitude value impacts location mapping capabilities.
Empty Route This warning indicates that no records were provided for a route so none are available to export for that route.
Unicode Characters This warning indicates that unicode characters were provided which are not supported. If the import continues, then the unicode character found is replaced with a blank space, which may result in data not being displayed as expected in Neptune 360.
Invalid Line Length This warning indicates that the line length does not meet the specification defined for the import file. Line lengths should follow the specification defined for the import file. There may not be immediate impacts when this warning displays, but future functionality may require adjusting the line lengths in the import file. Invalid line lengths may also be the result of selecting an incorrect import file format in Neptune 360.

 

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