Improving meter-to-cash processes is commonly used for justifying the investment in smart meters and meter data management (MDM) platforms at utilities. Because meter-to-cash (M2C) is easy to remember, tied to a critical outcome via revenue, and well-suited for an acronym, this term has become a frequent catchphrase in the utility industry. In practice, streamlining the collection, verification, analysis, and application of meter data reaches beyond bills and into every aspect of utility operations. Energy giant American Electric Power (AEP) proved M2C’s pervasiveness with their recent revamp of four AEP operating companies’ meter data infrastructure. AEP serves more than 5 million Americans across 11 states and a 40,000-mile transmission network. Each day, they manage millions of data records tied to usage, billing, asset health and outage response. Nearly half of AEP’s holdings, represented by four companies, operated on legacy systems that required intrusive reconciliation processes to validate data quality for billing as well as daily market settlement. Efficiency and precision are critical at any company but are especially important in our industry as more data pervades energy systems. In this age of increasing data and interconnectivity, AEP enhanced their M2C operations by upgrading the software that controls it all: the meter data management system.

THE SOLUTION

Each company undergoing the upgrade previously used Lodestar 1.6, a legacy meter data management solution operated by Oracle. Though functionally dynamic and highly- customizable in many respects, Lodestar lacked critical features inherent in newer systems like Oracle Utilities Meter Data Management. One of the primary needs was ensuring data quality when balancing daily consumption data for customers in preparation for market settlement and reconciliation. In addition, Lodestar calculations did not include critical elements, such as the ability to balance scalar and interval consumption on a daily basis and further display and estimate customer usage based on customer type and tariff. To meet consumers’ demands, AEP mandated that their revamped system draw on various streams of information to fill gaps and increase accuracy. Red Clay, AEP’s software integrator for this endeavor, deployed data migration tools to enhance the out-of-the-box functionality of Oracle Utilities Meter Data Management to achieve this goal. These tools leverage preconfigured transfer processes, data files, and tests to enhance system operations. Red Clay successfully converted data from AEP’s legacy MDM Lodestar 1.6 to Oracle Utilities Meter Data Management 2.1 to broaden the scope of determinants used to generate estimations.

This change led to the creation of a daily market settlement engine that drives more accurate data reconciliation each day for two of AEP’s Texas holdings. To date, these settlements have led to AEP’s highest data quality ever sent to the ERCOT settlement market. Beyond improving system accuracy and automation, AEP sought to leverage the power and value of a single system across multiple companies. Implementing a single system required balancing the compliance and performance measures of each individual entity to ensure continuous service and a smooth transition. To accomplish this, Red Clay worked closely with teams from each operating company to understand their operation, priorities, and overarching goals. Discussions resulted in the development of a master processing schedule to optimize system batch processing and operations. Oracle Utilities Meter Data Management 2.1 yielded higher quality data and more precise calculations, all while meeting or exceeding data processing service level agreement standards for each organization.

Beyond the improvement in data quality, this implementation offered AEP a consolidated and scalable enterprise platform to service existing and future AMI deployments, as well as enhanced outage management to prevent customer-facing issues.

ABOUT AEP

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states. AEP owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a more than 40,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP also operates 224,000 miles of distribution lines. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning approximately 31,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also supplies 3,200 megawatts of renewable energy to customers. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, and eastern Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.

By the Numbers

• 18.5 million records converted
• 1.5 million meters migrated to Oracle Utilities Meter Data Management
• 2 time zones
• 4 operating companies impacted which comprised nearly 1.9 million meters including:
  • 1.2m in Texas
  • 550k in Oklahoma
  • 130k in Ohio
  • 10k in Indiana and Michigan

ABOUT RED CLAY

Focused solely on the utility industry Red Clay advises, delivers, and manages technical and business solutions based on their clients’ unique needs. Red Clay works hand in hand with Oracle to offer our clients the industry’s most comprehensive and flexible software platform. Red Clay’s strong partnership with Oracle Utilities provides our clients with innovative and proven solutions. For more information, visit https://redclay.com/.

ATLANTA, GA – June 3, 2020 – Red Clay Consulting, a solutions implementer that helps utilities modernize through technology solutions and a Gold level member of Oracle Partner Network, announced the hires of Trevor Martin as the director of client services, and Izzet Cervera as director of advisory services.

Martin, a utility industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, is assuming responsibilities to lead client relationship management and program management. Most recently, Trevor served as the engagement executive and client partner for Bridge Energy Group, where he managed key accounts in the utility transmission and distribution sector. Trevor’s experience also includes roles as a senior manager at IBM and Infosys and SVP at LODESTAR Corporation, where he played a key role in expanding their utility software products and services.

Izzet Cervera joins the delivery team as the director of advisory services. Izzet has over fifteen years of experience in the implementation of CIS solutions across the globe. She joins us from Oracle where she was the delivery director for the customer solution practice for the EMEA region. At Red Clay, Izzet will advise key CIS customers through transformational programs while bringing innovation to the overall delivery model.

“We are so excited to bring both Trevor and Izzet on board at Red Clay” said Lynne Powers, Executive Director at Red Clay Consulting. “Trevor brings years of industry leadership experience which will continue to expand Red Clay’s position in utility transformation projects. Izzet’s deep solution knowledge and vast, global customer experiences will help strengthen our position as a top Oracle Utilities implementer.”

About Red Clay Consulting

As utilities navigate new expectations and demands, they require expert partners committed to their success. Red Clay Consulting is a Gold level Oracle partner and solutions implementer that leads clients through utility transformation, leveraging Oracle Cloud Utilities Solutions and backed by a zero-fail reputation. For more information, visit https://redclay.com/.

Media Contact
Brian Lassiter
Red Clay Consulting, Inc.
www.redclay.com
brian.lassiter@redclay.com

Atlanta, Georgia. Red Clay Consulting was named one of Atlanta’s Healthiest Employers at a May 2^nd luncheon and awards ceremony. The Healthiest Employers Awards, sponsored by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, were held on the Rooftop Terrace at Ponce City Market. Companies were recognized for their commitment to the overall wellbeing of their employees and their leadership in creating a healthy workforce. An assessment measuring six wellness categories was completed by companies and used to determine winners.

Susanne Wagner, Managing Director of Operations, stated, “I am proud of Red Clay’s investment in employee wellbeing. Wellness is baked into our culture and the benefits are tangible. We are honored to receive this recognition as validation of our efforts and outcomes.”

Red Clay Wellness approaches employee wellbeing holistically, focusing on physical, social, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Programs are based on employee feedback, and a wellness committee composed of interested employees helps guide initiatives.

According to Laura Gaines, Employee Engagement Specialist, “Red Clay cares deeply about employee wellbeing and uses the wellness program to support employees personal and professional goals and growth.”

ABOUT RED CLAY CONSULTING 
Red Clay, a leading business and technology consultancy for utilities, delivers superlative solutions in the areas of customer experience and billing, meter data management, field services, commercial billing, load profiling and settlement, and security. Red Clay offers advisory and implementation services, as well as robust managed services and training services offerings to position your utility for success every step of the way. Red Clay’s unparalleled experience, expertise, and execution fuel project success. To learn more about Red Clay, visit: redclay.com

This Latest Solution Will Foster Improved Cybersecurity Operations within Utilities

Atlanta, GA – February 5th, 2019 – Red Clay Consulting, a leading provider of business and technology solutions to the utilities industry, has completed the acquisition of Threat Hunting startup C3 Security as part of its continuing effort to expand the new SecureGrid business unit.

Widely used in other industries, automated Threat Hunting is virtually nonexistent in the utilities sector. “Red Clay specializes in converting unwieldy data streams into valuable information. Traditionally this has been to measure usage and help transform utility business operations,” says Red Clay Consulting co-founder and SecureGrid chief executive Michael Cocroft, “With automated threat hunting we can use this same skill set to expose threats and raise alerts. It’s a natural fit.”

“Threat hunting has been a highly manual process.  Historically, it required extensive hours by a security analyst to sift through various data sources to create hypotheses about potential threats.  This activity was largely based on the individual’s own knowledge and familiarity with the network,” says Michael Pearson, co-founder of SecureWorks and Chief Information Security Officer of SecureGrid, “With the incorporation of C3 technology on our SecureGrid platform we can cut the time and resources required to rapidly identify real threats and respond in an effective and timely manner.”

Christopher Corcoran, founder of C3 Security now Director of Threat Analysis with SecureGrid says, “I’m excited to join a team that understands how our technology can be fully deployed to protect critical infrastructure. Our Threat Hunting technology combined with Red Clay’s SecureGrid platform doesn’t generate more noise to compound alert fatigue; on the contrary, the technology was built to work agnostically with all data and amplify the value of preexisting solutions.  Our goal has always been to enable efficient analytics and response by providing the big picture and tells the story of what happened, where, and how to best remediate and protect against similar attacks from happening again and we are thrilled to be able to offer this to the utilities sector.”

According to Gunter Ollmann, founder of Ablative Security LLC, C3 Advisor and Chief Security Officer for Microsoft’s Cloud and AI Security division, “The marrying of C3’s innovative threat hunting and automated orchestration platform with Red Clay’s deep understanding of Utility-specific threats and business consultancy experience is the kind of force multiplier needed to shepherd and support Utility customers who have embarked on their digital transformation journey.”

As previously announced, SecureGrid represents Red Clay’s entry into the cybersecurity sector, and like the firm’s core business of solutions for the utility industry, leverages Red Clay’s extensive experience with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and the resulting meter data. This experience, paired with proven cybersecurity leadership and proprietary technology, provides the foundation for a unique cybersecurity solution.

About Red Clay Consulting
Red Clay, a leading technology consultancy for utilities, delivers superlative solutions in the areas of customer experience and billing, meter data management, field services, commercial billing, load profiling and settlement, and security. Red Clay offers advisory and implementation services, as well as robust managed services and training services offerings to position your utility for success every step of the way. Red Clay’s unparalleled experience, expertise, and execution fuel project success. To learn more about Red Clay, visit: http://www.redclay.com.

Media Contact
Brian Lassiter
Red Clay Consulting, Inc.
www.redclay.com
brian.lassiter@redclay.com

Athens, GA – November 1, 2018 – Red Clay Consulting is excited to announce four students in University of Georgia’s College of Engineering have received a Red Clay Leadership Scholarship. The students were honored at a luncheon held on October 18 at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens.

The Red Clay Leadership Scholarship is a one-year scholarship. Recipients were selected based on academic performance and demonstrated leadership potential. This year’s recipients are all Georgia residents.

According to Red Clay’s founding partner Michael Cocroft, “The UGA engineering graduates Red Clay has hired over the past three years were well prepared for today’s competitive and fast-paced work environment. The Red Clay Leadership Scholarship was created to support the impressive education and opportunities UGA’s College of Engineering is providing to bright and promising students.”

Donald J. Leo, Dean of the UGA College of Engineering stated, “The Red Clay Scholarship will make a lasting impact on the lives of our students and demonstrates Red Clay’s strong commitment to the educational mission of the University of Georgia.  We are very grateful for their generous support.”

Red Clay has also been a Strategic Partner in UGA’s College of Engineering Corporate Partnership Program since 2017. This program leverages corporations to provide advice, access to equipment, and financial support to students.

About Red Clay Consulting
Red Clay, a leading technology consultancy for utilities, delivers superlative solutions in the areas of customer experience and billing, meter data management, field services, commercial billing, load profiling and settlement, and security. Red Clay offers advisory and implementation services, as well as robust managed services and training services offerings to position your utility for success every step of the way. Red Clay’s unparalleled experience, expertise, and execution fuel project success. To learn more about Red Clay, visit: www.redclay.com.

Media Contact
Brian Lassiter
Red Clay Consulting, Inc.
www.redclay.com
brian.lassiter@redclay.com