Working on a project with 23 similar retail locations, all on the same utility (PSE&G) and similar usage patterns. Rather than treating each as a separate audit, wondering if there are ways to batch process them more efficiently. Anyone have experience with this type of volume work?
Batch Processing Multiple Accounts - Efficiency Tips
Kurt, definitely opportunities for efficiency here. I'd start by confirming all locations are actually on the same rate schedule - sometimes utilities put similar customers on different tariffs for reasons that aren't obvious. Once confirmed, you can create a master analysis template and just swap in the usage data for each location.
For the data entry piece, if the bills are in consistent PDF format, might be worth investing in some OCR automation. I used ABBYY FineReader on a similar project last year - took some setup time but saved hours once it was dialed in. Key is having very consistent bill formats from the utility.
I'd also recommend doing a detailed analysis on 3-4 representative locations first, then use those findings to guide what you look for in the remaining sites. Often you'll find the same issues repeat across multiple locations. Can streamline your analysis and reporting significantly.
One thing to watch out for - don't get so focused on efficiency that you miss location-specific issues. Had a batch job where 20 locations had the same rate optimization opportunity, but 3 locations had unique power factor problems that required different solutions. Always spot-check a few locations with detailed individual analysis.
For reporting, consider a summary report covering all locations with detailed findings, then individual location reports with specific recommendations. Clients appreciate seeing the big picture trends while still getting actionable info for each site. Also easier for you to maintain consistency across the analysis.