How to Choose the Right Partner for Your AMI Installation Project
Upgrading utility infrastructure with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is one of the most significant investments utilities make today. These projects are complex, requiring detailed planning, coordination, and substantial financial resources. One of the most important decisions in a large-scale AMI rollout is choosing the right installation partner.
More Than Just Meter Installation
A reliable AMI installation partner does more than just install meters. They strategically plan, manage the full lifecycle of the installation project, and provide customer support. Without the right skills and services, utilities risk mismanaged rollouts, system incompatibilities, and budget blowouts.
Here are five key topics to keep in mind, along with sample questions to ask when considering an AMI installer.
Experience with Different Utilities
Experience matters. Look for a partner who has successfully completed AMI installations across various utility sectors in electric, water, and gas. A partner with robust industry experience can anticipate challenges and navigate them with foresight and professionalism, even in the toughest of conditions.
Questions to Ask:
- How many AMI installations have you completed on behalf of electric, water, and gas utilities?
- Have you managed projects of a similar size?
- Are you able to provide a wide variety of relevant references?
- Are you able to provide best practices and lessons learned from previous installation projects?
- Can you share examples where you overcame complex challenges during installation projects?
- What measures do you take to maintain and check quality throughout the project?
Knowledge of Local and Federal Regulations
Every state, municipality, and planned community has its own regulations and compliance standards. A partner familiar with local and federal compliance rules help avoid costly delays and keeps the project moving.
Questions to Ask:
- How do you manage compliance with state and local permit requirements?
- What experience do you have working with local regulators and utility authorities?
- Do you have the proper licenses and certifications?
Trained Technicians Who Prioritize Safety
A top-tier installation partner invests heavily in training their workforce. This includes comprehensive technical instruction, OSHA compliance, and continuous education in the latest safety protocols. Prioritizing safety protects crews, customers, and the community you are servicing. A partner with a strong safety culture minimizes the risk of accidents, service interruptions, and potential liabilities.
Questions to Ask:
- What certifications and safety training programs do your technicians complete before deployment?
- How do you verify and maintain compliance with OSHA and other regulatory safety standards?
- What resources and processes are in place for ongoing workforce monitoring?
- How do you to establish and maintain a robust safety culture?
Project Management and Scalability
Every utility project is different, with its own deployment scale, timeline, and unique challenges. Whether your project involves installing 10,000 meters or more than a million, the partner you choose must be able to scale their operations without sacrificing quality and talent. Look for firms that offer transparent communication, real-time progress tracking, and contingency plans for unforeseen events.
Questions to Ask:
- How do you scale your workforce and resources for projects of different sizes?
- What software tools do you use to provide real-time updates?
- How do you model productivity and develop your resource plan?
- Do you provide safety management, data management, inventory management, and brand management in addition to Project Management?
- What are our options if our project plan changes and we ask you to pivot?
Commitment to Customer Service
AMI installations put your partner face-to-face with your customers. The right partner will have teams to support sending timely, multilingual notifications, and providing accessible support through call centers or mobile platforms. According to industry experts, utilities that prioritize customer engagement during AMI rollouts see significantly higher satisfaction rates.
Questions to Ask:
- What is the standard customer communication plan before, during and post installation?
- What kind of customer support is available via call centers?
- How do you handle multilingual customer interactions?
- Do your employees wear full uniforms and do you provide a full complement of PPE?
- Do your employees drive uniform fleet vehicles that are properly labeled?
- Do you provide customer service training?
- Are you able to provide customer satisfaction survey data?
Choose Your Partner with Care
UPA has built a reputation as a trusted, reliable AMI installation partner. Our field teams safely manage large-scale utility installation projects on behalf of water, gas and electric utilities throughout the country. Take your time to evaluate potential partners, ask the right questions, and find a team that aligns with your values. Interested in learning more about UPA and AMI installation projects? Let’s connect today.
