Overview
CBRE noticed an increase in complaints from businesses due to irregularities in their utility costs. CBRE hired Second Sight Systems to develop an approach that mitigated inaccurate billing and costs throughout Mockingbird Station.
Project Summary
CBRE, a real estate service provider for commercial properties across the United States, manages several small office and storefront complexes in the Dallas, TX metropolitan area. One such building, Mockingbird Station, serves as a commercial and residential center for nearly 500,000 people within a 5-mile radius. Mockingbird Station supports several unique businesses and loft-style apartment buildings, strategically located near affluent Dallas suburbs and Southern Methodist University.
Every business in Mockingbird Station accesses water and electric service through individual submeters, consisting of 42 water meters and 34 electric meters throughout the complex. CBRE had previously hired a utility contractor to manage meter reading and invoice reporting throughout the Mockingbird Station complex.
After a period of time, CBRE noticed an increase in complaints from businesses due to irregularities in their utility costs. It became clear that the contractor’s technicians were not physically reading every meter in the complex, instead relying on usage estimates for many of the businesses leasing space in Mockingbird Station. This led to inaccurate billing, customer dissatisfaction, and a potential financial shortfall on recapturing utility costs for CBRE.
CBRE hired Second Sight Systems to develop an approach that mitigated inaccurate billing and costs throughout Mockingbird Station. They needed a complete replacement of their existing meter service, including an audit of all the meters in the property, to improve billing and invoicing.
Solution
Established Expertise in Meter Services
Due to Second Sight System’s established expertise in meter services for utilities and commercial property managers, we were able to step in and implement a comprehensive solution that corrected inaccuracies and lowered costs. Second Sight began the process by conducting a free comprehensive audit of all meters in Mockingbird Station. Not all meters utilize the same multipliers to determine usage, so it was crucial to establish the multipliers and accuracy of each meter to ensure precise readings. Second Sight confirmed all meter locations, IDs, and multipliers to create a complete record of all meters on the property that could be used as a guideline for data collection efforts.
Following this, Second Sight implemented a full-scale meter reading effort in which trained technicians performed physical monthly meter reads for all units. Since the previous contractor estimated many of the meters monthly, our approach of physically confirming usage for every meter led to an increase in accurate monthly billing. Alongside our audit, we immediately and exponentially increased the accuracy of utility meter reads throughout Mockingbird Station. To integrate data into CBRE’s existing system, Second Sight also consulted with CBRE personnel to develop a tailored data-reporting format using traditional MS Office applications. This meant that CBRE could take collected data and import it directly into CBRE databases with no conversion or translation, so data integrity was maintained across companies.
With Second Sight Systems managing meter reads, utility charges for businesses in Mockingbird station stabilized. Businesses leasing space in Mockingbird Station were satisfied that their water and electrical bills reflected actual usage and not estimates. And CBRE was satisfied that monthly utility charges would not reflect an underestimation of actual use. Not only did CBRE avoid a customer service nightmare, but they also felt confident that they had significantly cut losses in monthly revenue due to inaccurate meter reads.
“Not only did CBRE avoid a customer service nightmare, but they also felt confident that they had significantly cut losses in monthly revenue”
Ameresco
“Second Sight Systems consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism, responsiveness, and operational thoroughness. Their team approached each phase of the deployment with clear communication, expert coordination, and an unwavering commitment to quality. They showed exceptional skill in coordinating access, minimizing disruption to businesses, and maintaining a seamless workflow that aligned with the city’s timelines and requirements.. We would not hesitate to work with them again on future projects.”
– Garrett Luther, Senior Manager Construction Services, Ameresco
Westwood Financial
“Second Sight Systems was a great decision for our property. We were losing so much money on faulty water meters. Since we installed the wireless submeter system we have seen an increase in our recovery. It was a very smart decision for this property!”
– Paula Garcia, Senior Property Manager, Westwood Financial
Pendleton South Carolina Public Works
“I am the public works director for Pendleton, South Carolina. We recently completed an AMR upgrade in our community. Second Sight was fantastic. Jordan’s leadership was impressive to say the least. I highly recommend them if you are doing an upgrade in your community.”
– James Ford, Public Works Director, Pendleton, South Carolina
Missouri State Highway Patrol
“Second Site Technicians have been good to work with on the variety of jobs the Highway Patrol has needed accomplished. Second site Technicians have communicated well on job sites, start times and completion times and on any hiccups that occur. Second Site Technicians arrived on site ready to accomplish the task. Everyone has been a team player and easy to converse with. The installations have been good. Also willing to make any slight changes to make the installed system a little better. They also put great effort and seem to take pride in the work being done. The safety assurance has not been ignored, good equipment and making sure everyone is taking the proper precautions has been achieved.”
– Peter Ickes, Chief Communication Technician, Missouri State Highway Patrol
Ward Silver Technical Services
“As an informal adviser to the Missouri Univ of Science and Technology’s radio club, I became aware of problems with the club’s antenna and rooftop Rohn 25 tower system.. Second Sight was contracted with the necessary certifications and experience working on amateur radio antennas and inspecting Rohn tower systems.. The work was performed professionally and efficiently. All antennas and the rotator are functioning properly and the station is back on the air. The roof work area was left clean and secure.. Second Sight’s costs were reasonable, they did the work efficiently, and submitted all necessary reports to the University. I would definitely use their services again and would recommend them for other similar work.”
Ward Silver, Ward Silver Technical Services
Eaton
“We have been very pleased with our partnership with Second Sight Systems over the past three years and are willing to recommend your services for installing AMI infrastructure and performing meter and AMI endpoint exchanges throughout the country, and, in fact, we often do. The professionalism and execution on challenging projects that your organization has executed to date has been impressive and we look forward to the opportunity to partner on even more projects in 2024 and beyond.”
– Jim Roche, Product Line Manager, Eaton
Asheville Water Resources
“During the learning process early in our relationship, I observed dedication, professionalism, and integrity related to your leadership team at Second Sight.. You made this business decision based not on financial gain, as there was no extra monetary burden placed on Asheville, but rather your commitment to helping us through our dilemma at the time. That sole priority to help a customer, and provide great support, speaks volumes.. The type of leadership displayed by Second Sight is how successful business ventures such as Second Sight and Asheville Water Resources develop, and I look forward to working with your team again in the future.”
– Brandon, Division Manager, Asheville Water Resources
Radar, Airfield, & Weather Systems
“Second Sight Systems provided professional, knowledgeable, and skilled personnel throughout the project. They performed their work safely and with a high level of quality. Although numerous obstacles and challenges presented themselves, the project was completed on time with no change orders. I would highly recommend Second Sight Systems for your upcoming project.”
– Kristopher Krug, RAWS Technician
USG Water
“Second Sight Systems has provided excellent service and performance on the projects on which we have engaged them. Their professionalism and attention to detail have been outstanding. They work well with our team as well as our customers’ personnel to deliver the agreed-upon scope of work in a timely and diligent manner. Their attention to safety is strong and we will continue to use them on projects we obtain.”
– Frank Sublett, Director of Metering Implementation Services, USG Water
Ferguson Waterworks
“Here at Ferguson Waterworks, we have partnered with Second Sight Systems to complete over (12+) meter installation projects together in various states across the United States. Second Sight Systems continues to provide excellent service, while being very conscious of working with the local municipalities to minimize any disruptions that could occur.”
– Chris Dashiell, Senior Project Manager, Ferguson Waterworks
Ameresco
“I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you and your team for the hard work and partnership that Second Sight Systems has provided on the last few projects. We appreciate SSS willingness to work through some of the issues that have presented themselves on these recent projects. We look forward to maximizing the lessons that both of our companies have learned, and doing many more projects together in the future.”
– Russell Kennedy, Director of Construction, Ameresco
KenWave Solutions
“KenWave Solutions thoroughly enjoyed working with the Second Sight Systems team. They were punctual, knowledgeable and technical, and did a great job supporting our field team with water main condition assessment work.”
– Arun Thankarajah, Senior Project Manager, KenWave Solutions
Landis + Gyr
“I’ve served at Landis+Gyr for 30 years using multiple different contractors, however I can say with 100% confidence that Second Sight Systems was one of the best decisions I made. Their professionalism, integrity, commitment, and hard work was noticeable within a matter of months.. We never had to worry that we would not be able to provide the data to our Utility customers.. because of Second Sights ability to prepare, plan and commit to delivering excellent service with an amazing safety record.. I can with confidence say that whatever company or organization hires Second Sight to do their work, will not be disappointed, but will find a dedicated and committed partner that will represent them with pride and excellent customer service.”
– Josep Brynleifsson, Program Manager, Landis+Gyr
Designing Great American Homes
“I am the HOA President for a 68 house subdivision. Second Sight installed and monitors our new water meters. Their team was professional and efficient. The work was finished on time and the homeowners were pleased. We have experienced several months of monitoring service, and their customer service has been excellent. I recommend Second Sight to other communities wishing to convert to individual meters and remote monitoring.”
– William Baker, Designing Great American Homes
Brookhaven of East Cobb
“Everything about the install and set up process went well, and the communications both before and after install were thorough and professional. The customer service offered, and the timeliness and accuracy of billing, has been excellent.. We strongly recommend Second Sight Systems as a highly regarded and reliable vendor.”
– Gary Fradkin, HOA President, Brookhaven of East Cobb
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