UB> Service Requests> Input

UB Add Device Service Request

Summary

An Add Device service request is used to add a device or multiple devices to a UB customer account. For example, if a water meter should be added to a customer account, create an add device service request to add the meter to the lot where the customer lives. The devices added to the customer account can be created on the fly using the Service Request Input Wizard, but you can also select devices that have already been created using the Device Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Device). The Service Request Input Wizard is also used to enter an initial reading on the new meters. For example, if the meter is installed with a reading of 1000, the meter reading should be entered into the application so the customer is not charged for that consumption.

All service requests are created using the Service Request Input Wizard. The Service Request Input Wizard can be launched from the Service Requests tab on the Account Master Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Account> Service Requests tab), the Devices tab of the Account Master Maintenance window (Create , Delete or Change Out icon ), and from the service request Input window (UB> Service Requests> Input> Create icon).

An add device service request is created using an Add Device service request code. Service request codes are created and maintained using the Service Request Code Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Service Request Code). A service request code is set up as an add device service request by selecting Add Device in the Service Type drop-down menu on the Service Request Code Maintenance window.

When the service request is created and has an Active status, the devices will be created with a pending status. The install date on the devices will be the service date (Service Request Input Wizard> Request Date field) on the service request. You will be able to view the device record on the Device Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Device), but you will not be able to modify the device. If the service request is deleted, the device record with the pending status will be deleted. Any meter readings on the device will not display on the Devices tab of the Account Master Maintenance window until the service request has been closed and committed.

After the service request has been created, the final step of the Service Request Input Wizard allows you to print a copy of the service request (Print Request on Save toggle). The printed version of the service request can be handed to a service technician to give them a record of the service address, the customer information, and the work that should be completed on the customer account. You can also print out multiple service requests at one time using the Service Requests Report (UB> Service Requests> Service Requests). The Service Requests Report allows you to print multiple service requests by criteria such as request date or service date.

Once the service request is closed and committed (UB> Service Request> Commit), the devices on the service request will change to an active status on the account and the initial meter readings on those devices will display on the Device tab of the Account Master Maintenance window.

When the Service Request Input Wizard is launched from the Devices tab of the Account Master Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Account> Devices tab), the default service request code attached to the Device Type Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Device Type> Device tab> Default Add field) may populate on the Service Request Input Wizard. Service request codes can be attached to device types so that when a specific type of service request (add, remove, change-out) is performed on a certain device type, the service request will populate with a default service request code. For example, if all water meter devices should be removed with a certain remove device service request code, you can attach that service request code to all water meter device types. When a user clicks on the Remove icon on the Devices tab of the Account Master Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Account> Devices tab), the default remove device service request code attached to the device type will populate on the Service Request Input Wizard. This is an optional feature, so there may not be default service request codes set up on the device types.

Related Links

Click here for an overview of service requests.

Click here for information on printing a service request.

Click here for information on closing and committing a service request.

Click here for information on billing a service request.

Click here for information on service request code maintenance.

Step by Step

1     Open the Service Request Input wizard (UB> Service Requests> Input> Create icon ).  

 

• You can also create a service request from the UB Account Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Account> Service Requests tab> Create icon ).

2     Enter the customer and service request information.  

 

• The Request Number field will only display a service request number when you open an existing service request. This field will not be enabled.
• The service request number is made of three parts: request number, request month, and request year and is similar to the batch numbering system. The request number increments with each service request generated and identifies a unique service request within a specific request month and request year. The request month and request year portions of the service request number will populate with the month and year the service request was generated. Changing the request date on the service request will not affect the service request number assigned to the service request.
• Enter a customer number and sequence number in the Account Number field or press F1 while the cursor is in the field to select a customer account from a list.
• You may also locate a customer account number by clicking the Account Number field label.
• If you have launched the Service Request Input Wizard from the Account Master Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Account> Service Requests tab> Create icon ), the Account Number and Service Address fields will populate with the information of the customer account the wizard was launched from.
• The Service Address field is used to select the service address of the service request. The service will be performed on this lot. If you have already selected a UB customer account in the Account Number field, the lot attached to the selected UB customer account will populate in the Service Address field.
• Select a lot in this field if you would like to generate a service request for a lot that is not attached to a customer account. If you would like to generate a service request for a lot attached to a UB customer account, select that customer account in the Account Number field. If you do not know the customer account number, click the Account Number field label. This will open the Account Master Search window. Select Lot from the Search By drop-down menu and then enter information into the Search Criteria section to select the customer account by the attached lot. When a customer account is selected, the Account Number and Service Address fields will populate on the Service Request Input Wizard.
• The Service Address field allows you to select a lot that is not attached to a UB customer account. This allows you to create a service request for a lot that is currently not attached to a UB customer account. If you enter a lot in this field that is attached to a customer account, the customer account will not populate in the Account Number field. When the Service Request Input Wizard is completed and the service request is created, the service request will not display on the customer account (UB> Maintenance> Account> Service Requests tab).
• The Request Code field is used to select the service request code that will be used to create the service request. This field might be populated if the Service Request Input Wizard is launched from the Devices tab of the Account Master Maintenance window.
• Press F1 in the Request Code field to select a service request code from a list. This will open the Service Request Code Selection window.
• Select an Add Device type service request code.
• If you would like to view the information attached to the service request codes, hover the mouse over the right border of the Service Request Code Selection window. When the border becomes highlighted, left click on the border to display the Maintenance section of the window. The Maintenance section will display all of the information associated with the highlighted service request code.
• An Add Device service request code will have Add Device selected in the Service Type drop-down menu.
• Service request codes are set up on the Service Request Code Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Service Request Code). Click here for information on Service Request Code Maintenance.
• You can add a default device type to a service request code, but those default device types do not affect the functionality of add device service codes. Default device types are attached to service request codes to reduce data entry and will affect all other types of service requests (remove device, show device, change-out device, etc.).
• The service Request Date field is used to enter the date the service was requested. This field will default to the current date because the request date is also generally the date the service request is being entered.
• If you are printing door hangers (UB> Service Requests> Door Hangers), the door hangers that display on the report will be filtered by the date entered in the Service Request Date field.
• The Charge field is used to set the billable amount on billable service requests (service requests that result in a billable charge). The Charge field will populate with a value if the service request code selected in the Request Code field is set up as a billable service request.
• The Charge field will default to the flat amount attached to the fee code on the service request code. Modify the amount in this field, or change the amount to zero to eliminate the charge on the service.
• If you change the Charge field to zero, the charge on the service request will be zeroed out. When charges are generated on billable service requests (UB> Adjustments and Fees> Bill Service Requests), the zero amount service request will still display in the Bill Service Requests window but no charges will be generated on the account.
• A service request code is set up as billable if there is a fee code attached to it (UB> Maintenance> Service Request Code> Fee Code field).
• The billable service request will not generate a charge on the customer account until the service request is processed in the Bill Service Requests window (UB> Adjustments and Fees> Bill Service Requests).
• The Status field is used to define the status of the service request. The Status field will default to Active. The device being installed on the customer account will display on the Devices tab of the UB customer account even when the service request has an Active status (UB> Maintenance> Account> Devices tab). The device will not be installed on the customer account until the service request has been closed and committed.
• Change the status of the service request to Cancel if the service request has been canceled.
  • Canceled service requests can still be edited and reported on.
• Change the status of the service request to Closed if the service has already been performed and you would like to be able to commit the service request. Only closed service requests can be committed (UB> Service Requests> Commit).
  • Changing the status of the service request to Closed will populate the Close Date field with the current date.
  • If the service request code selected in the Request Code field is set up as an auto-commit service request code (UB> Maintenance> Service Request Code> Auto-Commit toggle), the service request will be committed when the Service Request Input Wizard is complete.
• Change the status of the service request to Void if the service request was mistakenly created.
  • Voided service requests can still be edited and reported on.
• The Service Date is the date that the service will be performed on the customer account.
• The service date will be used as the install date of the device when the new device is installed on the customer account.
• The Close Date is the date that the service request is changed to a Close status. This field will populate with the current date when the status of the service request code is changed to Closed.
• The User Name field defaults to the Springbrook application user account you are logged in with.
• The WO Number field will only display a work order number if the Service Request Wizard is launched from the Work Order Maintenance window (WO> Work Orders> Work Orders> Service Requests tab> UB Service Request icon ). Click here for information on Work Order Maintenance.
  • If the Request Code selected above is associated with a recurring estimate, a work order will be generated when the Service Request Wizard is completed.
    • Once the service request is generated, the WO Number field will display the work order generated by the attached recurring estimate.
  • By associating a service request with a recurring estimate, you can automatically create a new work order to address the needs of the service request. For example, your organization may need to create a work order to dispatch a technician every time a water meter needs to be changed. In order to automate the work order creation, you would follow these steps:
    • Create a recurring estimate that includes the labor, equipment, material and service expenses that are associated with the meter changeout. Recurring estimates are created and maintained on the Recurring Estimate Maintenance window (WO> Recurring Estimates> Recurring Estimates). Click here for information on Recurring Estimate Maintenance.
    • Attach that recurring estimate to the Service Request Code that identifies the service request as a meter changeout.
    • When this service request is created and committed using that service request code, a new work order will be automatically created to dispatch the technician.
• The Assigned To field is used to assign a Springbrook user to the service request.
• The Service Request Description field is used to enter a description of the type service that will be performed. For example, add a meter. The Service Request Description field will populate with the description of the service request code, but you can add to or modify the text in the field.
• The Description of the service request code is set up on the Service Request Code Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Service Request Code> Description field).
• The service request description will display on the printed version of the service request in the Request Description field (UB> Service Request> Service Requests).
• The Service Performed Description field is used to enter notes on the work that was completed on the service request. For example, if a certain backflow device was installed to prevent a certain type of backflow hazard, that information could be entered in this field.
• The service performed description will display in the Service Description field on the printed version of the service request (UB> Service Request> Service Requests).
• Click the Save button drop-down menu and select Save and Close or Save and Print at any stage of the Service Request Wizard to save the service request.
• Click the Next button or press ENTER to move to the next step.

3     Add a device to the service request.  

 

• Right click on the Add Device button to select the type of device you would like to add to the account. This will create a new device and reading line item in the window. The new line items are created to represent the device that will be added to the account and are not used to enter the device information. The device information will be entered on the next step of the Service Request Input Wizard.
• Each device that you add to the service request will have the Selected toggle already checked.
• You can add as many devices as you would like to the service request. Each device that you add will add another step to the wizard in order to enter the device and reading information on the device.
• The Delete Device button is used to delete devices that have accidentally been created in the window. You cannot use the Delete Device button to delete devices that are installed on the account.
• The type of devices added to the service request will determine which information will be entered on the next step.
• If you do not add or select a device in the window, a device will not be added to the service request. The only information that will be attached to the service request is the customer information.
• Click the Next button or press ENTER when complete to move to the next step.

4     Enter the device information of the devices that you are attaching to the account.  

 

• The devices installed on the customer account do not have to be created on the Device Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Device). The devices can be created using the Service Request Input Wizard).
• The default device type information will populate in the window. Modify the information if it does not apply.
• A default device type can be created for each device type. If you would like to create a water meter default device type, check the Default Type toggle of a device type on the Device Type - Water Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Device Type - Water> General tab).
• Click on the Manufacturer or Model Number field to select a device type from a list. Both of the field labels will open the same window.
• Click the Route Number field label to select a route number from a list.
• Meter route numbers are created and maintained on the Route Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Route).
• Click the Serial Number field label to select a specific device from a list. This allows you to select a device that has been created using the Device Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Device).
• You cannot install a device that is installed on another lot.
• Enter a Register ID or MXU ID.
• Register Identification numbers are entered on touch read meters.
• MXU Identification numbers are entered on radio read meters.
• The Reading Description field is used to enter a description of the meter reading. This field will display on the Meter History sub-tab for each reading on the Devices tab of the Account Master Maintenance window (UB> Maintenance> Account> Devices tab> Meter History sub-tab> Description column).
• This is an optional field.
• The Reader Information field is used to enter information about the meter. This information is entered on the meter, not the meter reading.
• This is an optional field.
• The Read Date field is the read date of the meter reading entered into the Reading field. This field will default to the Read Date field.
• The Read Period/Year fields are used to enter the meter read period and meter read year of the meter reading entered in the Reading field. These fields are important if your organization bills by meter read period and you are entering consumption on the initial meter reading (a value greater than zero in the Consumption field).
• Depending on how the UB module is set up, you may bill readings based on the meter read period and year (UB> Utilities> Setup> Billing tab> Meter Reads To Bill field> Period). If there is consumption on the initial meter reading (entering a value greater than zero in the Consumption field) and you bill by meter read period, make sure to enter a meter read period that has not been billed. If the meter read period has already been billed, the consumption entered in the Consumption field will never be included in a billing.
• The Prior Reading field will display the last reading recorded on the meter. If the meter was installed on a previous account, the final reading on that account will display in this field.
• If the device you are adding to the account is a meter, enter an initial meter reading in the Reading field.
• The initial reading is used to enter the current reading on the meter so the customer is not charged for consumption previously recorded on the meter. For example, if the meter is installed with a reading of 1000, if you do not enter the initial reading the customer will be charged the 1000 units of consumption.
• The Prior Reading field displays the last reading on the meter. If the meter was installed on a previous account, the final reading on that account will display in this field.
• If the initial meter reading equals the prior reading, no consumption will be included on the initial meter reading.
• If the Prior Reading and initial reading are not the same, but the customer should not be charged for any consumption on the new meter, enter the initial reading in the Reading field and then change the Consumption field to zero.  The customer will not be charged any consumption on the initial read.
• No consumption amount will be associated with the initial reading on the device. When the next reading is made, the consumption on the billing will be the new reading minus the initial reading.
• Click the Next button or press ENTER when complete to move to the next step.

5     Complete the Service Request Input Wizard.  

 

• The Final Account Information step will display after the meter reads have been entered on the devices being removed from the account.
• The fields in the Final Account Information step will only be enabled if you are creating a final account service request.
• Check the Print Request on Save toggle if you would like a printed version of the service request to print after you click the Finish button on this step. The printed version of the service request will process on the server as soon as the resources become available. You can view the status of the print job using the Jobs Viewer window (Jobs Viewer icon).
• A printed version of the service request can also be generated using the Service Requests report (UB> Service Requests> Service Requests).
• Click the Finish button or press ENTER to complete the wizard.
• The service request has been completed.
• The device will display on the account (UB> Maintenance> Account> Devices tab) but it will be attached to the account with a Pending status. The initial meter reading on the device entered on the service request will not display on the Devices tab until the service request has been closed and committed.

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