itron scm+ endpoint message questions and answers

ITRON SCM+ ENDPOINT MESSAGEQUESTIONS AND ANSWERSQ: Why has Itron created a new endpoint message?A: The Standard Consumption Message (SCM) has served all of us well since 1986. However, this message hasfunctional limitations primarily due to its size. This includes a maximum number of 67 million unique ERT IDswithin each market type (Electric, Gas, Water). All the available unique ERT IDs will be consumed in the nearfuture. Itron has created a new message called SCM+. This new message overcomes limitations of the SCM,adds immediate value, provides for expanded capabilities and provides the ability to carry this very populartechnology into the future. The new message has a new preamble, new protocol ID and uses larger data fieldsincluding an Endpoint ID that can be up to 10 digits long.Q: What Itron products are affected by these changes?A: A list provided at the end of this document lists all the affected Itron products and the status of each product.Q: What do I need to do to prepare my utility for this change?A: Confirm that your systems support the new endpoint message, 10 digit endpoint IDs and additional data.Upgrade systems as needed:Before January 2013 to support the new message SCM+:• Replace older applications (Integrator, Premierplus4, Endpoint-Link) with systems that have the ability toprocess the new message SCM+. These include FCS, MV-RS and FDM. If you already have FCS, MV-RS or FDM, then upgrade these applications to versions that support SCM+ if that is not alreadycomplete.• Evaluate your hardware collection devices (Handhelds, Mobile Collectors, Repeaters, CCUs). Replaceolder devices and upgrade the software and firmware on newer devices to support SCM+ if that is notalready complete.Before March 2015 to support ERT IDs that are up to 10 digits long:• Prepare your CIS/Billing system to support the larger ERT IDs that will be up to 10 numeric digits. Thiswill require modifications to some of the file interfaces for certain applications.• Prepare all of your other back office applications to support 10 numeric digits for the ERT ID.Q: When “must” we have the changes in place to support SCM+ endpoints?A: The exact timing depends on when your utility wishes to take advantage of new Itron technology and whenItron will no longer produce endpoints that transmit the old message format.• The first Itron SCM+ enabled endpoints will be available by these dates:o Electric: CENTRON Bridge meter Late 2012, CENTRON R400 Late 2012o Gas: 100G Early 2013o Water: 100W Early 2013• Itron expects that SCM endpoints (old message) will no longer be manufactured after these dates:o Electric: Late 2013o Gas: Mid 2014o Water: 100W Early 2013, 60W in 2015Changes and upgrades for electric utilities must start the soonest and should finish by mid 2012, but no later thanearly 2013. This is necessary to ensure the systems are upgraded and in production prior to the first SCM+endpoints arriving at the utility. Utilities who use gas and water endpoints should consider making changessooner than the required deadline in order to take advantage of the added value of the SCM+ endpoints.

Q: Where can I get more information about SCM+ and other Itron products?A: Your Itron Account Executive is your primary contact for more information.Itron will also provide updates on the SCM+ through a variety of channels:• Product Updates and Round Table sessions at the Itron Users’ Conference• Product Newsletters• Itron NewslettersOf course our customer support specialists can answer any additional questions you may have. Please feel freeto contact them at support@itron.com, 877-487-6602 or through other channels listed on the Itron Access websiteat support.itron.com.Updates for Itron products related to SCM and SCM+Endpoints that Itron will manufacture with the ability to transmit the new SCM+ message:• Electric: CENTRON R400, CENTRON Polyphase R400, CENTRON Bridge meter, OpenWay CENTRON• Gas: 100G DLS• Water: 100W• Telemetry: All, including GasGate Remote Disconnect valveProducts capable of processing the new SCM+ message:• Handheld and Mobile Application Software:o MV-RS: v8.3 released in March 2012o Field Collection System (FCS): v2.3 released in 2011o Mobile Collection Software: v3.4 released in 2011o Field Deployment Manager (FDM):• Gas and Water may use FDM v2.1.2 released in 2011• Electric requires FDM v3.1 to be released in September 2012• Handhelds and Radios:o FC300SR: All models along with application software listed aboveo 900MHz Belt Clip Radio: All models along with FDM software listed aboveo FC200SR: Models listed here along with application software listed above• FC2-0005-003, FC2-0005-004, FC2-0006-003, FC2-0006-004• SCM+ firmware for FC2-0005-002 and FC2-0006-002 will be released in late 2012• Mobile Collectors:o MC3 models DCU-5310-011, DCU-5310-001 and DCU-5300-001DL are SCM+ compliant whenused along with Mobile Collection Software v3.4 released in 2011 and along with the applicationsoftware listed above• MC3 model DCU-5300-001 can be enabled for SCM+ given the proper hardwareupgrade at the Itron service center.o MCLite models DCU-5310-201 and DCU-5000-002DL are SCM+ compliant when used along withthe application software listed above• MCLite models DCU-5000-001 and DCU-5000-002 can be enabled for SCM+ given theproper hardware upgrade at the Itron service center.

• Network Products:o ChoiceConnect Network Software: v4.1 released in 2011o CCU100: All models support SCM+ when used with Network Software v4.1 and highero Repeater 100: All models support SCM+ when used with Network Software v4.1 and highero CCU 4.2: All models support SCM+ when used with updated Network Software and the includedfirmware update to be released at the end of 2012Please refer to the documentation provided with the Itron products used by your utility to determine the necessarysteps to implement upgrades and any additional steps needed to support changes related to the SCM+ message.Products that will NOT be capable of processing the SCM+:• Handhelds and Radios: FC200R, G5R, G5SR, FS3PN, FS/2PN, Read1Pro• Mobile Collectors: MC1, MC2, MC2.5, DCU, DataPac, Mobile Repeater• Field Service: HH-Pro®, Endpoint Link (EPL), Endpoint Link-Pro (EPLP)• Handheld/Mobile Data Collection: Premierplus4, Integrator, Viena• Network Collectors: 8-Channel RepeaterProducts that are not affected by the transition to SCM+:• Endpoints: 200W, 2.4GZ OpenWay Gas Module• Handhelds and Radios: ZigBee Belt Clip Radio, Handhelds with no Itron radio• Data Analysis: Itron Enterprise Edition (IEE), MV-90xi• Products that are used outside of the Americas such as 433 MHz endpoints and radios