EA_MS refresher training

EnergyAxis refresher training is designed to enhance the skills and understanding of users who are already familiar with the system, but may not be using it as effectively as you would like. Based on their experience with follow-up training to EnergyAxis customers, the Elster training team offers “a day in the life” of the EnergyAxis user with a strong emphasis on the “why” as well as the “what” of various operations, reports, schedules, events and more.

This class is complimentary with your conference registration, but space is limited. If you want to attend, but did not sign-up in advance, please check with the conference office for availability.

Sunday, March 18, 2:00pm – 6:00pm, Carolina Hotel, Pinehurst
Thursday, March 22, 11:00am – 3:30pm, Elster Solutions, Raleigh (includes lunch)

EA_MS & IT

IT-1 | EnergyAxis 7.6 from the User's Perspective:

Highlights new features, as well as changes to some existing screens and functionality.

IT-2 | Master Class- Load Profile Reads using EA_MS 7.5:

IT-3 | Creating and implementing TOU schedules:

IT-4 | Statuses, Events, Alarms:

Undersatnd the implications and respond effectively

IT-5 | EA_MS server configurations:

For system expansion and new rollouts; learn about multi-server configurations; distributed servers; options for database storage.

IT-6 | Virtualization of EA_MS servers:

How does it work? What are the pros and cons? What do you need to make it happen?

IT-7 | AxisDetect overview and demo

AxisDetect is a geo-spatial application that provides powerful graphical user interface to view and analyze your EnergyAxis AMI network.

Enterprise Applications

APP-1 | Considering an MDM? Expectations 101:

A holistic view of what you can expect an MDM application to do for you. Participants will learn about the key components of an MDM and the impact they may have on your operations.

APP-2 | Prepayment Basics:

what you need to know to get started with a smart grid application that protects your revenue and provides good options to your customers.

Network Topics

NET-1 | OTA Firmware Updates:

Learn how the process works and what Elster is doing to streamline and give you more control

NET-2 | Improving LAN performance:

Use EA_MS head end, EA_Inspector field tool, repeater placement and other approaches to troubleshoot and optimize your network.

NET-3 | EA_Inspector:

Tips and techniques for getting the most out of the newest version of this field tool; includes support for LAN encryption.

NET-4 | WAN Provisioning and Troubleshooting:

Learn how to enable WAN security as well as how to select, manage and provision the WAN with your data communications provider.

NET-5 | When and how to deploy Elster WAN Interface Cards (WICs):

Discover the advantages of the newest WAN options from Elster.

NET-6 | ANSI C12.22:

What does the newly approved standard for smart meter communications mean to me? Workshop led by C12.22 Standard working committee chairman.

NET-7 | Best practices for using GPS and GIS to troubleshoot LAN:

Learn how to use graphical analysis tools such as Map Info and Google Earth effectively; leverage GPS coordinates in your system to optimize your network.

Mutli-Utility Topics

MU-1 | EnergyAxis Water and Gas:

Streamline and automate the install and provisioning of water and gas using EA_MS and EA_Installer.

Solutions

SOL-1 | EnergyAxis "How To": Outage Management:

Upgrade your understanding of OM using EnergyAxis. This session will cover hardware options, system functionality, and the EA_MS user interface.

SOL-2 | EnergyAxis "How To": Distribution Feeder and Transformer Monitoring:

Learn how these innovative monitoring solutions provide utilities with valuable data and insight into feeders and transformers.

SOL-3 | EnergyAxis "How To": Voltage Conservation:

Voltage Conservation: Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) is proven to reduce demand—without having to engage the consumer. Learn how to deploy, what data to collect, and how to get the best results.

SOL-4 | EnergyAxis "How To": Opt-in or "direct connect" deployments:

When a full AMI network coverage isn’t available or necessary, you can use point-to-point EnergyAxis communications to accomplish key objectives.

SOL-5 | EnergyAxis "How To": End-to-End Security with EnergyAxis

An overview on the EnergyAxis security capabilities and an update on the latest features and enhancements.

SOL-6 | EnergyAxis "How To": AMI and DA Convergence:

Use the same network infrastructure to effectively converge your AMI and DA systems and devices

SOL-7 | EnergyAxis "How To": Demand Response with EnergyAxis

See how easy it is to use messaging, commission new devices, and retrieve DR data from the field.

Hardware Workshops

HD-1 | REXUniversal Next Generation meter:

Get the inside scoop on this industry-leading option for interoperability.

HD-2 | Meter Configuration Workshop:

It seems basic, but how you configure your meters can potentially make the difference between good and GREAT system performance. Learn what the options are, the impact they can have on your system, and how to make it happen.

HD-3 | MeterCAT:

Basic operational training; new security features. Includes how to configure MeterCAT securely.

Trainers

Richard Auerweck
Technical Manager

As a Technical Manager, Richard provides technical support to executive level sales efforts and serves as a bridge between the marketplace and product marketing/development functions within Elster Solutions. Richard has been in the Transmission & Distribution and AMI/Smart Grid industries for 16 years and has a broad scope of experience that includes High Voltage substation design, manufacturing, strategic marketing, sales support, and product management."

Ed Beroset
Product Manager – Electricity, Elster Metering, Canada

Ed Beroset has taken a prominent role in standards over the years – and was the Chairman of the ANSI C12.22 committee. His role as Director of Technology and Standards emphasizes Elster’s continuing commitment to the on-going standards activities throughout the industry. Ed leverages his standards leadership to serve utility interests as well as those of Elster.

Dave Buster
Customer Solutions Architect

Dave Buster is an industry veteran with over 30 years experience is designing, building and operating communications systems. As an engineer in the Telco world in the 1980s, Dave built outside plant systems and deployed early trunk fiber optic systems. Dave also supported industry standards activities and early deployments of innovative fiber systems and test systems. Later, Dave spent over 10 years with a large routing and switching vendor as a product manager and technologist. While there, he spent several years supporting federal government agencies with data security architectures. Dave joined Elster Solutions in 2011 as a Customer Solutions Architect, with a special focus on security. Dave has a B.S. Engineering and M.B.A. from North Carolina State University.

Jean Daigle
Manager of Application Support - International Customers

Jean Daigle serves as primary point of contact for Elster’s Canadian customers (CLD) and supports all components of the EnergyAxis System for international customers. Jean brings a wealth of experience across multiple technology areas with more than two years experience in IT enterprise solutions development and integration; twelve years experience in software design, development, testing and prototyping of applications in telecommunication industry; five years experience in system engineering – product quality and requirements validation; and extensive experience in IP networking (LAN - WAN). Jean holds an electrical engineering degree from the University of Laval, and is registered as a professional engineer in the province of Quebec.

Carol Fisher
Manager, Communication Solutions

Carol has more than 25 years of utility experience spanning planning, system operations, substation design, project management, demand response, new product and software development, solutions marketing, and business development. As Communication Solutions Manager, Carol is responsible for Elster’s AMI network, residential meter platform and demand response initiatives. Prior to joining Elster, Carol held engineering positions at Central Louisiana Electric Company. Carol holds a BS Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University, an MBA from Northwestern State University, a Professional Engineering License from Louisiana and a Project Management Institute PMP certification.

Tom Froass
EnergyICT, Smart Grid

Tom Froass has over 20 years of experience serving the utility and energy management industry. At EnergyICT, Tom is responsible for delivering MDM solutions to the North American market. Tom has worked directly with organizations to design and implement systems that provide data management solutions for improving utility operations and billing as well as working with end-customers to better manage their energy usage. Tom has experience with AMI, AMR, MDM, Data Collection and Energy Management solutions.

Chris Germano
Product Manager, EnergyAxis WAN Solutions

Chris Germano is an industry veteran with over 25 years experience in the telecommunications industry and over 10 years of product management experience. Chris is responsible for both Elster meter “under cover” WAN Interface Cards (WIC) and working with 3rd party wireless communication partners to provide multiple communication technologies to the EnergyAxis solution.

Karen Huston
Director of Training and Customer Support, Exceleron Software, Inc.

Karen’s duties include assisting utilities in implementing a successful prepaid program through integration with CIS and AMI, ensuring an understanding of business rules, configuration of Exceleron’s prepaid portal (MyUsage.com), and training of all utility representatives on promotion of and creation of prepaid accounts. She also helps ensure continued growth of the utility’s program by ensuring understanding of deployment updates, reporting capabilities and additional onsite visits.

Kenneth Jones
Product Manager, EnergyAxis Management System

Kenneth Jones is responsible for the utility enterprise portfolio for both advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and distribution automation (DA) solutions within the EnergyAxis family. Ken’s expertise lies in both carrier and enterprise system software development. His software industry expertise spans developing carrier grade services to transform network operation centers utilizing Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA), Next Generation OSS (NGOSS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) reference models. Ken has written blog articles for the Wall Street Journal and is an active member of Open Smart Grid users group. He received an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and a Bachelors in Business Administration from Susquehanna University.

Carl LaPlace
Senior Product Manager, Advanced Grid Initiative

Carl LaPlace has been involved in the development and product management of power distribution automation (DA) solutions for over 25 years, working closely with utilities to understand their DA requirements. As strategic Senior Product Manager for Elster's Advanced Grid Infrastructure (AGI) initiative, Carl effectively leverages Elster solutions to meet evolving smart grid requirements for DA. Carl holds numerous related patents and has authored a number of papers. He has been directly involved in the development of DA controls and systems ranging from LTC voltage regulators, MV reclosers, DA switch sectionalizers and related DA communication protocols and system applications. He is a long time member of IEEE.

Steve Makgill
Product Manager, Multi-Utility Solutions

Steve Makgill has managed multi-utility solutions including gas and water products for EnergyAxis since 2006. He also manages the EA_Inspector field tool as well as TRACE AMR gas products. Steve has extensive experience with new product definition and introduction of technology products spending over a decade in the telecommunications industry.

Drue Merkle
Technical Manager

Drue functions as a Technical Manager in the Elster Solutions South Business Unit focused on providing technical sales support. The broad role includes pre and post customer sales support, interfacing with Executive Management, Product Management, Project Services and Development Teams to help position the Elster EnergyAxis Solution in the AMI/Smart Grid market. Drue's 16 years of experience in the telecommunications and utility industries has been in software development, solution architecture and technical sales support.

Susane Nemecz
AMI System Support Manager

Since 2004, Susane Nemecz has provided support and trouble-shooting for EnergyAxis systems. She currently manages the Support team that delivers day-to-day technical support for 80+ EnergyAxis customers under system maintenance agreement. Nemecz was involved in the initial software development of EA_MS (MAS) and has performed QA testing of several releases. She has also coordinated roll-out of several of the major system upgrades of the EnergyAxis Management System (EA_MS/MAS) and EA_Gatekeeper (collector) upgrades. Nemecz has more than a decade of experience in the Utility industry.

Michael Nichols
Sr. Network Design Analyst

Mike Nichols is responsible for EnergyAxis network designs, deployment planning and network performance analysis for current and proposed EnergyAxis projects. Mike participated in the design of mesh modeling tool for mesh network analysis at Elster. Prior to joining Elster, Mike was the GIS Engineer responsible for map analysis for RF Engineering groups in Upstate NY, DC/Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas working with Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and SunCom. In all, Mike has over 18 years of experience working as a GIS analyst and trainer.

Mark Ranta
Product Manager, Demand Response Solutions

Mark is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience is designing and building communications systems. As Product Manager of Demand Response Solutions, Mark is responsible for supporting Elster’s utility clients’ AMI plans to “grow beyond the meter,” focusing on Elster’s demand response business strategy. Mark holds a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Jeff Richardson
Senior Product Manager

Jeff Richardson is the product manager responsible for the ALPHA meter product line and MeterCAT software. He has trained hundreds of customers in Metercat, ALPHA meters, and EnergyAxis, and served on several industry technical committees, including the ANSI communication protocol committee and Measurement Canada joint working groups on firmware updates and VA calculation methods. Jeff has worked on metering and utility solutions since 1991, and played a key role in the success of the Ontario Smart Metering Initiative, the world's largest deployment with daily interval data reads from every meter. Jeff holds an engineering degree from the University of Toronto, and is registered as a professional engineer in the province of Ontario.

Richie Savage
Smart Grid Solutions Manager

Richie Savage is the North Regional Smart Grid Solutions Manager providing technical sales support to the Account Executives and serving as the liaison between sales/marketing and product development. Richie comes to Elster from Nortel, where he spent 22 years as a software developer and software development manager in the area of Legacy and Next Generation Telecommunications. Richie holds several Microsoft certifications (MCSE – Windows Server 2003, MCSA – Windows Server 2003, MCTS – Exchange Sever 2007, and MCTS - Office Communications Server 2007). Always looking for ways to improve, Richie is currently working on his MBA with a concentration is IT Security.

Sanjay Singh
Solutions Engineer

Sanjay Singh has worked in the AMR/AMI Industry for 11 years and started his career as the Manager for IT Services. Sanjay was responsible for the system architecture and software development of the AMI head-end and web portals at an AMI start-up company. After the company was acquired by Elster in 2008, Sanjay continued in the role of IT Manager for Elster Services. He is currently based in Phoenix, AZ and serves as the Regional Technical Expert supporting the Smart Grid sales efforts of the Elster West Region. He has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

Kathy Smith
Lead Project Engineer

Kathy Smith has 30 plus years serving the utilities industry, including software engineering, design and implementation, system integration, system interfaces with firmware, and facilitating training to Elster’s utility and AMI/AMR customers. Kathy has implemented and managed Elster’s EnergyAxis systems and EA_MS software training at utilities in the US, Canada, Central and South America, New Zealand, and Australia. She has a highly successful track record of meeting or exceeding Elster’s customers’ requirements. Kathy has a BS in Computer Science from Duke University and holds three smart grid related patents.