While most data can be added to Mabdeck on an individual basis, if you have a large amount of information that needs to be transferred into the system you can do this via a bulk import.
Uploading a Bulk Import Template
All bulk import templates can be found on the Imports tab of Mabdeck. Select the type of data you would like to import, then click Download to open a setup form.
Set your requirements on the setup form which appears. You will be required to select different information based on which data type you're trying to upload to Mabdeck. Click Download to download the spreadsheet.
Fill in the required fields on the spreadsheet, as well as populating any additional information in any other available columns. For details on the information that is required for each bulk import spreadsheet, please see the sections of the article below.
Once you have completed the template, save and upload the file to Mabdeck, by selecting your file and clicking Upload.
A spinning icon signals that your data is being imported. If the import is successful you will receive a success notification.
If the import is unsuccessful you will receive an error notification, as well as an error file which advises why the template failed to upload. Make changes to the original import template and re-upload this into Mabdeck. Please note that some of your data may have been successfully added, the error notification and file will specify if this is the case.
Types of Bulk Import
Mabdeck offers the option of bulk importing data for the following data types. Please see below for some information on bulk importing information for each data set.
Meter Readings
It is possible to upload meter readings in bulk at a network level. You will be prompted to select a client and a network.
The Network Name and Network ID will be filled in automatically for you, and should be copied onto each row of the spreadsheet. You will need to add the following information.
- Serial Number of the meter
- Meter Reading
- Meter Reading Date and Time
- Method (selected from a list of Available Reading Methods)
It is also possible to add temperature, flow and power data to the readings, however these fields are not required.
Payments
Payments can be added at a network level, and the payment types field offers more options than if you were to add the payment via the account page. Select your transaction type and payment method from the Payments Import form, and download the template.
Each payment import template will include a full list of accounts attached to that network. For any accounts where you do not wish to upload a transaction, the row for this account would need to first be deleted from the spreadsheet.
You will be required to add the following information:
- Net Amount
- VAT Rate (as a figure – 5% should be added as 5)
- VAT Amount
- Gross Amount
- Processed Date/Time
Transactions can be added as either negative or positive and will update the account balance accordingly. For example, if the value is positive on the import spreadsheet then this will credit the account balance on Mabdeck. If the value on the import spreadsheet is negative, this will debit the account balance on Mabdeck.
Properties
Properties can be bulk imported at band level. Each band will therefore require a separate import spreadsheet. You just need to add in the property address lines, town and postcode at a minimum.
Ensure that any client, network and band IDs are copied onto each row of the spreadsheet, this just tells Mabdeck which band to assign the property to!
You also have the option of adding:
- A property reference
- Property area
- Area Unit
Supply Points
A supply point bulk import template will be pre-populated with all properties which are attached to a band. If any properties do not require a supply point, the row will need to be deleted from the template before it is uploaded.
The only required field in this case is a start date, however you do have the option to add a location, weight factor, and technical factor. If you use heat cost allocators, these fields will be mandatory.
For sites with Guru units installed, you will be required to add the Guru HES Account ID.
Meters
A meter bulk import template will be pre-populated with all properties which have the supply type you have selected already added to them. If any properties do not require a meter, the row will need to be deleted from the template before it is uploaded
You will need to populate the meter serial number and start date fields at a minimum.
We would recommend adding in the manufacturer and model of each meter too, so that you have a record in Mabdeck of the hardware which exists in the property.
Hubs
If you have a pre-payment network, you can bulk import hubs and attach them to properties. The upload of hubs will ensure that you can view other pre-payment functionality in Mabdeck.
As with a meter bulk import, a hub bulk import template will be pre-populated with all properties on the network you have selected. If any properties do not require a hub, the row will need to be deleted from the template before it is uploaded.
You will need to populate the serial number, identifier and start date fields at a minimum
Accounts
It is possible to import accounts in bulk at a network level. The accounts will not be attached to a property upon upload, they will need to be moved into the properties separately. Please see the initial property owners import section for more information
The network ID and network fields will already be populated for you. Please ensure that this data is copied down the template for each row that you add. If you have a customer account reference pattern set up to generate automatically then you can leave the account number field blank. For information on how to set up a customer account reference pattern, check out our article.
Payment card numbers linked to pre-payment units do not need to be added at this stage. If your network uses payment cards for credit billing, these payment card numbers can be added to the bulk account import template
Bulk consumer dashboard invitations can be sent using the accounts import template. Populate the SendInvitation column with TRUE to send an invitation, and enter a consumer dashboard language in the EmailLanguage column. Any account with a valid email address will receive an invitation email upon upload of the template.
Initial Property Owners
The initial property owners bulk import template can be used to move initial owners and tenants into properties. Upon downloading this template, you will receive a ZIP folder containing a list of Mabdeck accounts, and the initial owner/tenant template itself.
The Property Owner Template spreadsheet will be uploaded into Mabdeck. The Accounts spreadsheet can be used as a reference to fill in the Property Owner Template. You will need to complete the Tenant Reference and Owner Reference fields on the Property Owner Template, using the account numbers found on the Accounts spreadsheet.
Enter a start date for each property. This will be the date the property is first billed from in Mabdeck, or the move in date of the tenant.
Change the Generate Welcome Letter column to TRUE to generate a Welcome Letter for the tenant account, upon successful import of the spreadsheet into Mabdeck. This will generate using the default Welcome Letter template. To set up a custom template, please see our article on Setting up Communication Template.
Bulk Meters and Data loggers
We also offer a bulk import spreadsheet to assign meters to bulk meters, and meters to data loggers. In these cases you won't be uploading any additional information to Mabdeck, simply assigning meters that are already in the system to their respective bulk meters or data loggers.
For further information on how to do this, check out our help articles!
Points to remember!
- Each time you need to upload information using a bulk import spreadsheet, ensure that you download a fresh template so the pre-populated fields are correct.
- If your template contains pre-populated IDs, make sure these are copied onto any additional rows.
- The template must be uploaded in a .csv format.