Author: TariffShark

PowerShark EQR Update – Release 1.2

Since its initial release in August 2013, PowerShark EQR has quickly been adopted by many utilities who were looking for a simple yet powerful and affordable solution.  Today, many companies across the country are running PowerShark EQR as their chosen EQR solution either as an Enterprise solution or as a Hosted solution in our SSAE 16 SOC II certified data center.  It is important to note that PowerShark EQR has also been successfully testing XML submissions into the FERC Sandbox, so you can experience the full life-cycle of the EQR filing process.

New PowerShark EQR Release Available

Links Technology Solutions, Inc. is excited to announce the immediate availability of PowerShark EQR Release 1.2.  This release is ready for Q3 2013 EQR data to be filed by April 30, 2014.  Upgrade today to gain all of these benefits from the latest release:

New Features

  • Redesigned Contract Details view features improved navigation between Contracts and associated Products and Transactions
  • Automated client upgrade from PowerShark EQR 1.0 or 1.1 on first run
  • Data filters in validation and import reports are remembered for every report
  • Improved saving and restoring of application window state

Overall Application and Database Changes

  • Latest FERC XML changes support
  • Latest FERC lookup values
  • Validation rules fixes and additions
  • Default import map files support multiple date and date/time formats
  • Database performance improvements
  • EQR and Transaction validations run 4-5 times faster
  • Various application bug fixes, stability and performance improvements
  • Improved multi-user experience

If you haven’t seen PowerShark EQR in action or it’s been a while since you last saw a demo, then maybe it’s time you took another look at our product and see what many are saying is the most complete and affordable EQR solution available!  Please contact Bob VanValkenburg at sales@powersharkeqr.com or call (847) 252-7286 to schedule a demo or free trial of PowerShark EQR today!

FERC Sets Deadlines for EQR Filings

On Friday, February 28, 2014, FERC issued an order EXTENDING AND SETTING DEADLINES TO FILE ELECTRIC QUARTERLY REPORTS (146 FERC ¶ 61,144) under docket numbers RM01-8, RM10-12, and RM12-3. The order may be viewed at http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20140228-3057 and is summarized as follows:

  • Q3 2013 EQRs are to be filed during the period of April 1 to April 30, 2014.
  • Q4 2013 EQRs are to be filed during the period of May 1 to May 31, 2014.
  • Q1 2014 EQR are to be filed during the period of June 1 to June 30, 2014.
  • Q2 2014 EQR are to be filed during the period of July 1 to July 30, 2014, which is the normal filing period for Q2 EQRs.

PowerShark EQR Update

PowerShark EQR release 1.0 shipped in August 2013. Release 1.1 shipped in September 2013 in anticipation of FERC’s October 2013 deadline. Since that time, PowerShark EQR has only been getting better.

  • Release 1.2, which includes many improvements, will ship in March … in time for April 2014 EQR filing activities.
  • Training is available via 30 short-form videos that demonstrate all features of the software. All videos are less than 10 minutes in length and many come in under 5 minutes. The PowerShark EQR user interface is friendly and easy to navigate, even if you have never seen it before … and with the training videos, you will be productive quickly.
  • A complete User Guide is provided and will be updated for Release 1.2.

New PowerShark EQR Release Available

Links Technology Solutions, Inc. is excited to announce the immediate availability of PowerShark EQR Release 1.1.  Since its initial release last month, PowerShark EQR has quickly been adopted by many utilities who were looking for a simple yet powerful and affordable solution.

CURRENT POWERSHARK EQR CUSTOMERS: Please visit the download area to access the latest 1.1 release.

POTENTIAL POWERSHARK EQR CUSTOMERS:  Please contact Bob VanValkenburg at bobv@linkstechnology.com to inquire about a demo and/or a free trial of PowerShark EQR.

Purchase or upgrade today to gain all of these benefits from the latest release:

Overall application and database changes

  • Latest FERC XML changes support
  • Latest FERC lookup values
  • Database performance improvements
  • Various application bug fixes, stability and performance improvements
  • Validation rules fixes and additions
  • Improved default mapper files with support for multiple date formats
  • Improved multi-user experience

New features

  • Generate XML for FERC submission
  • Import and Export of data
  • Lock/Unlock EQR
  • Control over maximum Document size and allowed file extensions
  • Simplified Copy Data function
  • Multiple date formats value resolver
  • Enabled editing of Batch Notes in Transaction Batches History module
  • New Bulk Update Tools added
  • Extension Provision Description in the Contracts module
  • a multiplier may be applied to numeric Transaction fields

Technical requirements changes

  • Added support for Windows 8.1
  • Added support for SQL Server 2008

e-Tag Reporting in the EQR

On February 8, 2013, FERC granted an extension of time for including e-Tag data in the EQRs until after FERC Staff prepare a status report, which is due within one year (unless the Commission takes prior action in the proceeding). According to FERC, “ this extension will allow the Commission more time to fully assess the benefits and burdens associated with market participants linking e-Tag ID information and transactions in the EQR considering other recent data collection efforts.”

On September 21, 2012, FERC issued Order No. 768, which, among other things, revised the EQR data fields by adding a requirement to report e-Tag information. Requests for rehearing and/or clarification of Order No. 768 were filed by industry participants, along with requests for an immediate stay of the e-Tag ID reporting requirement.

It should be noted that this order does not affect the compliance date for any other aspects of Order No. 768.