When a meter reader writes readings in a notebook and brings it to the office, misread figures, unreadable meters and estimated bills turn into customer complaints. A leak or a faulty meter often shows up only months later, once the gap in consumption has grown large. In the system we build, readers see their meters in route order in the app, enter the reading and take a photo of the meter. Unusual values against past consumption trigger an immediate alert; billing is calculated by tariff, and the customer receives the bill by SMS and pays online.
Problems we see in meter reading
- Typing errors in readings copied from a notebook
- Estimated bills for meters that could not be read
- Leaks and faulty meters being noticed late
- Bills and balances reaching customers late
Modules
Customer and meter record
Customer, address, meter serial number, size and tariff group.
Mobile meter reading
Route-ordered reading, photo, location and the reason a meter could not be read.
Abnormal usage check
Alerts for excessive or zero consumption against the historical average.
Tariff billing
Billing with tiered tariffs, fixed charges and taxes.
Collections
Online payment, bank collection and overdue reminders.
Meter operations
Work orders for meter replacement, sealing, connection and disconnection.
How it works day to day
- 1
A reading period opens and routes are assigned to readers.
- 2
The reader enters the reading and photo in the app.
- 3
Abnormal values go to a review list.
- 4
Billing is calculated and the bill is sent to the customer by SMS.
- 5
Payments are processed and a work order is opened for customers in arrears.
Integrations
Off-the-shelf software or custom-built?
When off-the-shelf is enough
For sites with few customers, the meter module of off-the-shelf property management software may be enough.
When custom software pays off
For water utilities with thousands of customers, industrial estates and operators managing mixed meters (water, electricity, gas), a custom system clearly reduces reading errors and collection delays.
How the budget is built
We launch the workflow that saves you the most time first, then add modules based on real usage. The full scope below is calculated with 20 screens and 11 modules; the final price follows a free discovery call and a written scope.
Maintenance and improvements (optional): €600 / month. Hosting, SMS, WhatsApp and app store fees are listed separately.
Frequently asked questions
Are remote-reading meters supported too?
Yes, readings from M-Bus, LoRaWAN or manufacturer systems flow into the same billing as mobile readings.
Can readers work offline?
Yes, the route and customer list download to the phone, and readings sync once a connection returns.
Can our existing customer data be migrated?
Customers, meters and outstanding balances from the old system are imported.
How is customer information protected?
Data is stored encrypted, a reader sees only the information on their own route, and actions are logged.
