Add, edit, or delete action codes.
An Action Code is a description a user can assign to a transaction that occurs in the Utility Management program. If the Utility Management Service Orders interface is enabled, you can also use the action code to enter a service order.
Meter activity: Enter Meter Activity includes an action code field that allows you to select an action code to record meter activity.
Service orders: If you're using Service Orders, you'll need to set up action codes before you can start using Service Orders.
How does an action code work?
An action code works like a script to execute a series of commands within the application. For example, Sally at City XYZ sets up an action code to install an electric meter. She adds fields such as EMR ID, EMR Code, MXU ID, and so on to the action code. When she selects the Electric Install Meter action code in Enter Meter Activity, the system will display the additional fields she added to the action code on the form. Sally can enter the extra information and the system saves all of it with the Enter Meter Activity transaction.
Learn what's changed with action codes in the 2018.08 release. (0m43s) [MP4]
Watch a video clip (00m56s) on setting up action codes. [MP4]
Create a new record for an action code.
Do this...
1. Open Connect Utility Management > Organization > Action Codes.
2. Click New (CTRL+N).
3. Enter the Action Code.
This is a name assigned to the action code.
4. Enter a Description.
A description is a word or phrase that describes the character or features of the action code.
5. Enter Abbreviation 1 and 2.
An abbreviated title is a descriptive name that can replace the full title when space is tight. Use Abbreviation 1 to enter a label for the action code that is less than 10 characters. Example: Replace, Re-read, Broken
Use Abbreviation 2 to enter label that is less than 3 characters. Example: Rpl, Rrd, Brk
6. Select the Service.
Services may include electricity, water, sewer, and garbage. Use this option to link the action code to a service. For example, Jane links the action code for Electric Check for Tampering to the electric service.
7. Select the Type.
A type defines the behavior for the related action code.
The meter activity measures service usage. Use this option to show the meter activity for the action code on the Inquiry screen.
Do you want to show the meter activity in Inquiry?
Yes, show the meter activity in Inquiry. Click to select Show Meter Activity in Customer Inquiry.
No, do not show the meter activity in Inquiry. Click to deselect Show Meter Activity in Customer Inquiry.
You can set up the action code to add meter activity to the meter history and create transactions to record service orders.
Do you want the action code to create new meter activity and service orders?
Yes. Click to select Allow New Meter Activity and Service Orders.
No. Click to deselect Allow New Meter Activity and Service Orders.
Meter activity includes actions to install, remove, or replace a meter. Use the options on the Meter Activity tab to add fields to the Enter Meter Activity Form to collect or display extra meter activity information.
To add fields to the Enter Meter Activity Form...
Click Select Additional Fields.
When the Selection form appears, move the field name to the Selected Additional Fields list.
Click OK.
Last, set up the options to Display Only and Require a Value. Do this for each additional meter field.
You can use the options on the Service Orders tab to define how the action code will interact with service orders, departments, Create Actions form, and Complete Actions form.
See the section titled Service Orders in this help topic for more help.
The record is saved.
Edit the information on an action code.
1. Open Connect Utility Management > Organization > Action Codes.
2. Use the Lookup bar to enter an action code. Press Enter.
3. Now, change the action code properties.
4. Click Save (CTRL+S).
The updated record is saved.
Remove an action code from the database. You cannot remove an action code if related transactions exist.
1. Open Connect Utility Management > Organization > Action Codes.
2. Use the Lookup bar to enter an action code. Press Enter.
3. Click Delete (CTRL+D).
The record is deleted.
Click Search or press F9. When the Selection form appears, it will display a list of all of the action codes in the database. Click to select an action code and click OK.
This is an alphabetical list of fields you'll find on the form.
An abbreviated title is a descriptive name that can replace the full title when space is tight. Use Abbreviation 1 to enter a label for the action code that is less than 10 characters. Example: Replace, Re-read, Broken
Use Abbreviation 2 to enter label that is less than 3 characters. Example: Rpl, Rrd, Brk
The action code is a descriptive title given to an account code.
You can create an action code that will bill an amount and create a billing transaction on the customer's record. Deselecting this option allows you to prevent the action code from creating a billing transaction.
Do you want the action code to create a billing transaction?
Yes, create a billing transaction. Click to select Allow Billings to be Created with This Action Code. Enter the Service, Amount, and Description.
No, do not create a billing transaction. Click to deselect Allow Billings to be Created with This Action Code.
Use this option when you want to print the action code on the service orders form and sequence detail form. Deselecting the checkbox will prevent the action code to print on the service orders form and sequence detail form.
Use the Form/Sequence Detail Form drop-down list to select the form on which the action code will print. The Form drop-down list will display all of the form layouts available in the application. To edit a form layout, click the Edit button located at the end of the Form/Sequence Detail Form field.
A description is a word or phrase that describes the character or features of the record. This is the description that will be displayed in Customer Inquiry (Meters tab > Activity subtab).
What is the description?
Use the Description field to enter a word or phrase (50 characters or less).
A field that you cannot edit or modify is a display only field. When you see a display only field on an entry form, you will not be able to type in the field and the field background will not be white. A white background means you can enter a value.
Is this a display only field?
Yes, make this a view only field. On the Meter Activity tab > Field Properties subtab, click to select Display Only.
No, allow users to edit this field. On the Meter Activity tab > Field Properties subtab, click to deselect Display Only.
Use the options on the Meter Activity tab to add fields or remove fields from the Meter Activity form. A meter reader uses the meter activity form to record activity for each meter. You can customize the fields on the meter activity form to request different pieces of information that the meter reader will collect at each meter.
What do you want to do?
I want to add a field to the meter activity form. On the Meter Activity tab, click Select Additional Meter Activity Fields. Use the Selection form to move the field name to the Selected Additional Fields list. Click OK. Now, fill in the options on the Field Properties tab.
I want to remove a field from the meter activity form. On the Meter Activity tab, click to select a field name from the Additional Meter Activity Fields list. Next, click Remove the Selected Field.
I want to change the display order. On the Meter Activity tab, click to select a field name from the Additional Meter Activity Fields list. Next, click Move the Selected Field Up/Down. Continue to click Move the Selected Field Up/Down until the field appears in the correct position in the list.
Why is a "replace meter activity" different?
When you set up an action code to replace a meter, reading, etc. the Meter Activity tab will display a section to selection additional fields for the old meter and another section for the new meter. If the action code type is anything except for Replace Meter, the Meter Activity tab will display only one section for additional fields.
Why can't I use the Meter Activity/Service Orders tab?
The Meter Activity/Service Orders tab is not available when you select Reading/Usage Correction as the Type. This is a system action code and you will not be able to add additional fields to it. When you use Meters > Correct Prior Readings, the system will use the Reading/Usage Correction action code to record the transaction.
These action code types are system action codes:
Reading/Usage Correction
Period Meter Reading
Services may include electricity, water, sewer, and garbage. Use this option to link the action code to a service. For example, Jane links the action code for Electric Check for Tampering to the electric service.
What is the service name?
Use the Service drop-down list to link the action code to a service.
Use the options on the Service Orders tab > Complete Actions subtab to add fields to collect or display information on the Complete Actions Form.
To add a field...
1. Click the Service Orders tab > Complete Actions subtab.
2. Click Select Additional Fields.
The Selection form appears.
3. Move the field title to the Selected Additional Fields list.
4. Click OK.
The field title appears in the Additional Complete Fields form.
5. Set up the field properties.
Do you want the field to allow a user to enter a value?
Yes, collect a value. Click to deselect Display Only and then click to select Require a Value.
No, do not collect a value. Click to select Display Only. Do not select Require a Value.
You're done.
Use the options on the Service Orders tab > Create Actions subtab to add fields to collect or display information on the Create Actions Form.
To add a field...
1. Click the Service Orders tab > Create Actions subtab.
2. Click Select Additional Fields.
The Selection form appears.
3. Move the field title to the Selected Additional Fields list.
4. Click OK.
The field title appears in the Additional Create Fields form.
5. Set up the field properties.
Do you want the field to allow a user to enter a value?
Yes, collect a value. Click to deselect Display Only and then click to select Require a Value.
No, do not collect a value. Click to select Display Only. Do not select Require a Value.
You're done.
Use the options on the Service Orders tab > Department subtab to select the departments that will use the action code. Only the departments that appear on the Departments subtab will include the action code in the Action Code drop-down list. Most organizations do not use Service Order Departments.
To add a department...
1. Click Select Departments.
The Selection form appears.
2. Move the department name to the Selected Departments list.
3. Click OK.
The department appears in the list.
A service order is a request for work that includes a description of the work to perform. You can use the options on the Service Orders tab to define how the action code will interact with service orders, departments, Create Actions form, and Complete Actions form.
Important! You will need to purchase and install the Service Orders application to access the features on the Service Orders tab.
When you open the Service Orders menu (Utility Management > Service Orders), you'll see these tasks: Complete Service Orders, and Create Service Orders.
These are the same headings you will see when you click on the Action Codes > Service Orders tab. You can use the Create Actions and Complete Actions tabs in Action Codes to define the additional fields that will appear on the Create Service Orders form and Complete Service Orders form in the Service Orders application.
Allow this action code on service orders
Use this option when you want to use the action code in the Service Orders application. Using an action code in the Service Orders application means you'll be able to select the action code and print the action code on service order forms and sequence detail forms.
What do you want to do?
I want to use the action code in the Service Orders application. Click to select Allow This Action Code on Service Orders. Next, select the default Service Order Form and Sequence Detail Form. The Service Order Form is usually Service Order. Select a Sequence Detail Form that has been set up for the current action code. You can create a custom detail form for each action code.
I do not want to use the action code in the Service Orders application. Click to deselect Allow This Action Code on Service Orders.
Allow billings to be created with this action
You can create an action code that will bill an amount and create a billing transaction on the customer's record. Deselecting this option allows you to prevent the action code from creating a billing transaction.
Example: Pat sets up an action code for a service order that will deliver a garbage can. Since City XYZ charges $15 for this service, Pat will select the Allow Billings to be Created With This Action checkbox and enter the billing detail and amount. When Pat selects the action code to deliver a garbage can, the system will bill $15 to the customer and use the service, amount, and description recorded on the action code to create the billing transaction.
Do you want the action code to create a billing transaction?
Yes, create a billing transaction. Click to select Allow Billings to be Created with This Action Code. Enter the Service, Amount, and Description.
No, do not create a billing transaction. Click to deselect Allow Billings to be Created with This Action Code.
Why can't I use the Meter Activity/Service Orders tab?
The Meter Activity/Service Orders tab is not available when you select Reading/Usage Correction as the Type. This is a system action code and you will not be able to add additional fields to it. When you use Meters > Correct Prior Readings, the system will use the Reading/Usage Correction action code to record the transaction.
The meter activity measures service usage. Use this option to show the meter activity for the action code on the Customer Inquiry screen. This option is only available when the Type records meter activity.
Do you want to show the meter activity in Inquiry?
Yes, show the meter activity in Inquiry. Click to select Show Meter Activity in Customer Inquiry.
No, do not show the meter activity in Inquiry. Click to deselect Show Meter Activity in Customer Inquiry.
A type defines the behavior for the related action code. The Type will determine if the Show Meter Activity Tied to This Action Code in Inquiry checkbox is available.
An action code will store the additional fields for Meter Activity and Service Orders. You can change which fields are required by deselecting the Require a Value checkbox or removing the field title from the Additional Fields list.
After you make changes to an action code, you may need to close and relaunch the entry routine, for example, Enter Meter Activity, Enter Service Orders, etc. to refresh the actions codes that appear in the Action Code drop-down list.
If the number of additional fields added to an action code is greater than the available space on the entry form, you may need to scroll down to view the rest of the fields.
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