01-04-2013 BPU RPT 07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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W A T E R E N E R G Y L I F F RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: January 4, 2013 ITEM[ NO: 7 SUBJECT: NEW ELECTRIC AND WATER HANDHELD METER READING DEVICES ISSUE: The issue for Board of Public Utilities consideration is approval to purchase of 20 meter-reading devices,the Itron FC300 Handheld Computer. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Public Utilities authorize the purchase of 20 FC300 Handheld Computers in the amount of $99,857.64 from Itron, Inc.,of Santa Fe Springs, California in accordance with Purchasing Resolution 21182, Section 201 (I). BACKGROUND In October 1999, Riverside Public Utilities(RPU)implemented a new Customer Information and Utility Billing System (CIS) and an Itron MVRS Meter Reading System that consisted of the software and the Itron FS3 meter reading hardware. RPU staff implemented the system and created interfaces to streamline the business processes and automate the flow of data. In February 2007,the MVRS meter reading software was still functioning well with the CIS system;however,it was announced by the Itron vendor that the company would no longer support the FS3 handheld meter reading hardware. RPU received Public Utilities Board and City Council approval to purchase 22 new Itron FC200 Handheld Meter Reading Devices to replace the outdated Itron FS3 meter reading hardware. In May 2009, Itron announced the end of new sales and support for the FC200 model due to supply issues of the components. Any remaining supply was forecast to last through December of that year, but in order to help with the transition period, Itron was still offering repair services for five years beyond the 2007 purchase date through the annual maintenance agreement. If at any time they were unable to repair the FC200 or provide a refurbished model of like-condition and functionality, Itron would extend a trade-in credit toward the purchase of their new model, the Itron FC300 Handheld Computer. Five years later, on January 1, 2012, Itron only offered repair services for units less than five years old. RPU is now facing the same circumstance of outdated hardware; therefore, RPU staff is asking for approval to purchase 20 of the new Itron FC300 model. The FC300 model is ultra-rugged and designed specifically for the utility industry. It offers fast and efficient production from the field with state-of-the-art mobile processing power. It is able to withstand the rigor of continuous field work and is built to military specifications for ultra-ruggedness. Communications flexibility is built into the FC300 by integrating multiple wireless communication technologies or fast Ethernet. Additionally, GPS and an imagerlbarcode reader are features that set the FC300 apart. The units and desk dock requires a power supply and AC power cord, which is included in the quoted price. Also included to support data recovery or troubleshooting issues are 3 USB cables.