How You Define Meter Templates

Meter Templates are used to instantiate unique asset and subscription meters for tracking utilization during their lifetime through the recording and update of meter readings. Each template is a reusable definition that models the type, direction and validation rules that are enforced during the recording, update or disabling of meter readings. Meter Templates can be created using a manage page, REST API or in the context of an individual Asset.

Item Applicability in Meter Templates

When you define or update a template, using the manage page or REST API, you can optionally associate applicable inventory items that will be referenced during asset creation. If you create a new template in the context of an Asset, then you will not be able to assign any applicable items.

When you create a new asset, either manually, via services, or upload, the application looks to see if there a meter applicability for the asset's item. If there is a match, then the application automatically creates an asset meter for the asset. Thus, you get a seamless process for the automatic creation of asset meters and supports the standardization of asset meters across similar types of assets that share a common item.

The meter applicability is defined for the item at the master organization level, using either an inventory or item organization. This is because items are uniquely created for the master and all its associated organizations. Therefore, defining the applicability at the master organization allows for any asset created in one of its associated organizations to be validated for the automatic creation of an asset meter.

After a meter applicability is defined, you can set an end date in order to disable it for an item. Additionally, you can create a new applicability for new items in future with a start date after the previous end date if required.

Note:

• Meter templates should be created before assets are created to get your meters automatically assigned during creation by using the item applicability functionality.
• Meter applicability isn't available when creating meter templates for assets using the UI. However, after it's created in the UI, you can update it via REST API to add the item applicability.