1z0-996-22 Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service 2022 Implementation Professional Questions and Answers

According to the Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service User Guides, date breaks are used to break up a usage period into sub-periods based on the dates on which rate changes took place for the service point1. Date breaks are supplied by the requesting system or user input when they request a usage transaction1. The requesting system or user input can specify the date range for the usage transaction, which is referred to as the calculation period1. The usage calculation engine then segregates the usage into multiple usage periods based on the date breaks1. The other options are not used to supply date breaks. The Deferred Monitor Calculation Algorithm is used to determine whether a usage transaction should be deferred or calculated immediately2. The Usage Subscription Type is used to define the characteristics and rules of a usage subscription, such as the usage calculation group, the meter exchange option, and the usage subscription algorithm3. The Usage Subscription BO is used to store the information about a usage subscription, such as the service point, the usage group, the usage calculation group, and the usage transactions4. References: About Usage Transactions, Deferred Monitor Calculation Algorithm, Usage Subscription Type, Usage Subscription BO, Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service - Get Started

 Specifications are sets of attributes that define the physical and functional characteristics of an asset or a component. Specifications can be used to store information such as dimensions, weight, color, model, serial number, manufacturer, and so on. Specifications can also include peer specifications, which are specifications that are related to the same asset or component, but have different purposes or scopes. For example, an asset can have a specification for its installation details, and another specification for its maintenance requirements. Peer specifications can be linked by using the peer specification type and the peer specification ID fields. The other options are not true because specifications do not include the inspection history of an asset, which is stored in the asset history business object. Specifications can apply to both assets and components, as long as they have the same specification type. A single specification can be used on multiple assets or components, as long as they have the same specification type and specification ID. References: Specifications, About Specifications, Peer Specifications

 A usage subscription is a relationship between a service point and an external system or a service provider that defines how usage data is exchanged and processed1. A usage subscription is required before creating bill determinants, as it determines the usage calculation group, the usage transaction type, and the usage subscription quantity type that are used to derive bill determinants from usage data2. A usage subscription also specifies the usage rule that is used to request bill determinants from the external system or the service provider3. Therefore, the correct answer is C. Usage Subscription. References:

• Understanding Usage Subscriptions
• Creating Usage Subscriptions
• Requesting Bill Determinants

A Payment Arrangement Request is a business object that supports the step-by-step process of creating a Payment Arrangement, which is an agreement between the customer and the utility to pay off the outstanding balance in installments. A Payment Arrangement Request can perform the following functions:

• Examines the Account’s eligibility for Payment Arrangement: The Payment Arrangement Request can check if the account meets the criteria for a Payment Arrangement, such as the account status, the account type, the delinquent amount, the number of previous Payment Arrangements, and the collection process stage.
• Calculates delinquent amount for Service Agreements eligible for Payment Arrangement: The Payment Arrangement Request can calculate the total delinquent amount for the service agreements that are eligible for a Payment Arrangement, based on the payoff balance and the payment arrangement type. The delinquent amount is the amount that must be paid off by the Payment Arrangement.
• Determines if the Payment Arrangement Request requires approval: The Payment Arrangement Request can determine if the request needs to be approved by a supervisor or an external agency, based on the approval rules and the payment arrangement type. The approval rules can include the delinquent amount, the number of installments, the down payment amount, and the payment arrangement type.

References: Lifecycle Of A Payment Arrangement Request, Payment Arrangement Requests, Setting Up Payment Arrangement Requests

 The Enable Service Orchestrator is a service order orchestrator that determines the steps required to complete the service of enabling service for a customer. The Enable Service Orchestrator uses the state of the service point and the device to decide what actions need to be performed. For example, if the service point is disconnected and the device is not installed, the Enable Service Orchestrator will determine that the following actions are needed: Connect the Service Point; Install a Device; Turn on the Device. These actions will be executed by the corresponding service order activities, such as Connect SP, Install Device, and Turn On Device. References: Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service Service Order Configuration Guide, Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service Service Order User Guide, Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service Service Order Orchestrator Configuration Guide

According to the Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service User Guides, loss-adjusted kWh is a calculated value that represents the actual amount of energy delivered to a customer after accounting for the losses incurred during transmission and distribution1. To derive this value, the system needs to apply a loss factor to the raw kWh measurement obtained from the measuring component. A loss factor is a percentage that indicates how much energy is lost between the point of generation and the point of delivery1. A loss factor can vary depending on the location, voltage level, and time of the service point1. Therefore, the solution is to configure a Service Point Characteristic Type that can store the loss factor value for each service point, and a derivation algorithm that can apply the loss factor to the kWh measurement. The derivation algorithm should also use a Service Quantity Identifier (SQI) to distinguish the loss-adjusted kWh from the raw kWh, and a factor to indicate the mathematical operation to be performed (such as multiplication or division)2. The SQI and the derivation algorithm should be associated with the Measuring Component Type that measures the kWh, and the characteristic value should be associated with the service point. This way, the system can calculate the loss-adjusted kWh for each measuring component and service point combination, and store it as a separate value identifier2. References:

• Loss-Adjusted kWh
• Derivation Algorithms

 The base functions that you should use to meet your client’s requirements are the following:

• Apply validations on meter reads coming from the Data Collectors: You can use the Oracle Utilities Meter Data Management (MDM) Cloud Service to perform validation, editing, and estimation (VEE) on the initial measurement data (IMD) that is loaded from the Head End system or other source. MDM has a set of predefined VEE rules that can be configured and customized to check the accuracy and completeness of the meter reads. You can also define your own VEE rules using the VEE Rule Maintenance feature. MDM applies the VEE rules to the IMD based on the VEE Group and the VEE Execution Type that are associated with the device configuration and the service point. MDM also supports manual VEE for users to review and edit the IMD.
• If a meter read does not pass the validation, an error will be generated and assigned to a user: You can use the To Do feature to create and assign tasks for users to resolve the VEE exceptions that are generated when the IMD fails the validation. You can configure the system to automatically create a To Do entry for each VEE exception or for a group of VEE exceptions based on the To Do Creation Algorithm on the VEE Rule. You can also specify the To Do Type, the To Do Status, the To Do Priority, and the To Do Assignee for the To Do entry. The To Do entry will contain the details of the VEE exception, such as the IMD ID, the VEE Rule ID, the VEE Group ID, and the VEE Execution Type ID. The user can access the To Do entry from the To Do List or the 360 Degree View device portal and take the appropriate action to correct the IMD or the VEE rule.
• Retry the validation every 30 minutes for the errors in case the issue is related to configuration: You can use the IMD Retry feature to automatically reprocess the IMD that has VEE exceptions after a specified interval. You can configure the system to set the Next Retry Date/Time on the IMD to 30 minutes after the VEE exception is generated. You can also specify the Maximum Number of Retries and the Retry Interval Algorithm on the VEE Rule. The system will run the algorithm D1-IMD-RETRY (Retry Initial Measurement Data Processing) periodically to identify the IMD that has a Next Retry Date/Time that is less than or equal to the current date and time. The algorithm will then reapply the VEE rules to the IMD and update the VEE results. If the IMD passes the validation, the VEE exception and the To Do entry will be cleared. If the IMD still fails the validation, the Next Retry Date/Time will be updated and the To Do entry will remain open until the user resolves the issue or the maximum number of retries is reached. References: Oracle Utilities Meter Data Management Overview, VEE Rule Maintenance, [To Do], [IMD Retry]

measuring component is a single point for which data will be received and stored in the system. A measuring component can be associated to a device, which can have one or more measuring components, or it can be “virtual” or “stand-alone,” meaning that it is not associated to a device. A measuring component can have various attributes that define its characteristics, such as the measuring component type, the device configuration, the VEE groups, and the scalar or interval class. Two of the attributes that are specific to a measuring component are:

• Channel Multiplier: A channel multiplier is a value that is used to adjust the measurement data received from the device to the correct units of measure. For example, if the device measures consumption in cubic feet, but the system stores it in cubic meters, the channel multiplier is used to convert the units.
• Channel ID: A channel ID is a unique identifier that is assigned to a measuring component by the device or the head end system. It is used to match the measurement data received from the device to the corresponding measuring component in the system.

The other options are not correct attributes of a measuring component, because:

• Channel ID and Badge Number: A badge number is an attribute of a device, not a measuring component. It is a unique identifier that is assigned to a device by the manufacturer or the utility. It is used to track the device’s history and location.
• Serial Number and Badge Number: A serial number is also an attribute of a device, not a measuring component. It is a unique identifier that is assigned to a device by the manufacturer. It is used to identify the device’s model and specifications.
• Model and Serial Number: A model and a serial number are both attributes of a device, not a measuring component. They are used to identify the device’s manufacturer and specifications.
• Manufacturer and Model: A manufacturer and a model are also attributes of a device, not a measuring component. They are used to identify the device’s brand and type.

References:

• About Measuring Components
• Measuring Components

A Start Option is a configuration option that allows you to define the default values for certain attributes of a service agreement when it is created. A Start Option is linked to a Service Agreement Type (SA Type), which is a template for a service agreement that specifies its characteristics and behavior. A Start Option can default the following attributes of a service agreement:

• Service to be billed: This is the service point and the measuring component that are associated with the service agreement and determine the billing and metering of the service. The service to be billed can be defaulted from the Start Option based on the service point type and the measuring component type.
• Contract Quantities: These are the quantities that are agreed upon between the customer and the utility for the service agreement. They can include the contract demand, the contract capacity, the contract energy, and the contract power factor. The contract quantities can be defaulted from the Start Option based on the rate schedule and the service point type.
• Rate: This is the rate schedule that defines the charges and adjustments that apply to the service agreement. The rate can be defaulted from the Start Option based on the service point type and the measuring component type.

References: Start Option - Main, Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service - Get Started, Service Agreement - Main

 When the source of a Financial Transaction is canceled, it results in a new reversal Financial Transaction being created. The reversal Financial Transaction has the same amount as the source Financial Transaction, but with the opposite sign. The reversal Financial Transaction also has the same source as the source Financial Transaction, but with a different status. The source Financial Transaction remains in the system, but its status is changed to “Canceled”. The reversal Financial Transaction is used to reverse the financial impact of the source Financial Transaction on the account balance and other financial calculations. References: Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service Financial Transaction - Main, Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service Cancel Reasons, Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service Setting Up Payment Cancellation Reasons

According to the Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service User Guide1, service points are physical locations at which a company supplies service and are used to store information describing the type of service supplied and how it is measured. Devices are installed at service points, and the relationship between individual service points and devices can change over time. However, a service point may only have one device. If multiple devices at a service point are required, a parent and child service point relationship must be defined to create a hierarchy of service points. On each service point, users can specify a parent service point. This feature can be used to link multiple devices to a single market service point ID or to represent different service types or measuring components at a service point. References: Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service - Get Started, About Service Points, Oracle Utilities Operational Device Cloud Service - Get Started

According to the Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service User Guides, initial measurements, final measurements, and usage are different types of measurement data that are used to record, validate, and calculate the consumption of a service12. Therefore, the following statements are true:

• A. Usage is a synonym for bill determinants. Usage is the term for the calculated values that are used to determine the charges for a service based on various factors, such as consumption, demand, time of use, or fixed charges1. Usage is also known as bill determinants, because they are the inputs for the rate calculation process that generates the bill3.
• B. The initial measurement data can be optionally stored in Raw format. Initial measurement data (IMD) is the term for measurement data in its initial (or raw) form, as read from a measuring component1. IMD can be optionally stored in Raw format, which preserves the original values and condition codes of the measurements without applying any validation, editing, or estimation (VEE) rules4. Raw format can be useful for auditing or troubleshooting purposes, as it allows users to compare the original and final versions of the measurements4.
• C. A service point can have more than one initial measurement for the same period, but only one final measurement. A service point can have multiple initial measurements for the same period, if there are multiple measuring components or devices associated with the service point, or if there are overlapping or duplicate readings from the same measuring component or device1. However, only one final measurement can be generated for each service point, service type, unit of measure, time of use, and service quantity identifier combination for a given period1. Final measurements are the result of transforming the initial measurements into a consistent and reliable format, after applying the VEE rules and resolving any conflicts or errors1.

The following statements are false:

• D. Final measurements can be directly edited or updated by users or by automated processes as required. Final measurements cannot be directly edited or updated by users or by automated processes, as they are considered to be the final and authoritative version of the measurement data1. Only initial measurements can be edited directly by end users, or by automated processes as part of the VEE process1.
• E. Usage is loaded in the application to generate final measurements. Usage is not loaded in the application to generate final measurements, but rather derived from the final measurements using the usage calculation process1. Usage calculation is the process of applying various algorithms and factors to the final measurements to produce the usage values that reflect the actual consumption of the service1.

References:

• About Measurement Data
• About Initial Measurement Data
• About Usage Calculation
• About Raw Format

The Fallback VEE Group is a configuration option that allows you to specify a VEE Group to be used when no other VEE Group is found for a measurement. This ensures that the measurement is processed by the VEE rules defined in the Fallback VEE Group, which can include estimation rules. The Fallback VEE Group is assigned to a VEE role, which is a logical grouping of VEE Groups based on the source and type of measurement data. For example, you can create a VEE role for estimated measurements and assign a Fallback VEE Group that contains the estimation rules you want to apply to them. This way, you can ensure that the estimated measurements are validated and edited according to your business requirements. References: Configuring VEE Roles, Understanding VEE Rules

 An account’s balance is the total amount of money that the account owes or is owed by the utility1. An account’s balance is determined by the sum of all the financial transactions linked directly to the account2. Financial transactions are records of monetary events that affect an account, such as charges, payments, adjustments, or refunds3. Financial transactions can be linked to an account directly or indirectly through a service agreement. However, only the financial transactions that are linked directly to the account are used to calculate the account’s balance2. Therefore, the correct answer is E. the sum of all the Financial Transactions linked directly to the account. References:

• About Accounts
• About Account Balances
• About Financial Transactions
• [Understanding Financial Transaction Linkage]

In Oracle Utilities Customer Cloud Service, the logic for handling customer overpayments is contained within the Customer Class. When a customer makes a payment exceeding the amount due, the system's handling of this overpayment is governed by the settings and algorithms associated with the customer's class. This can include actions such as transferring overpayment amounts to a separate service agreement specifically for excess credits, which are then applied to future bills or other accounts as needed. The Customer Class determines how these overpayments are distributed and managed within the system【89†source】【90†source】.

References:

• Oracle documentation on Over Payments: Over Payments【89†source】.
• Oracle documentation on Overpayments: Overpayments【90†source】

A severance process is a collection of events that are performed to persuade a customer to pay the outstanding debt or to disconnect the service if the debt is not paid1. A severance process is linked to one and only one service agreement (SA) that has an overdue balance2. A severance process can be initiated manually or automatically based on the collection process status of the SA3. A severance process can also be linked to a reconnection process that restores the service after the debt is paid or a payment arrangement is made. References:

• 1: Severance Process - Severance Events
• 2: Designing Your Severance Procedures
• 3: Setting Up Severance Procedures
• : Designing Your Reconnection Procedures