6 Transferring Data with Flat Files
Flat file data transfer is a method for sending select customer, billing, metering, and related data to Oracle Utilities in support of the Opower program. Because this method usually requires more utility-owned implementation and maintenance than the other available data ingress methods, it is typically a last resort and reserved for special cases, such as when OCI GoldenGate, Delta Sharing, or API-based data ingress is not feasible for your environment.
With flat file transfer, you must build data extracts from your source systems and format those extracts according to Oracle Utilities Opower data transfer standards. You are responsible for building and maintaining the extract logic, generating files in the expected format, correcting data issues, and delivering files through secure file transfer. This process can increase implementation effort, create more back-and-forth during validation, and add latency because data is typically delivered in scheduled batches.