host download file (HDL)

A proprietary file format (default file name: download.HDL) developed by Itron to download meter reading requests from a utility company’s customer information system (CIS) into Itron’s MV-RS meter data management system. MV-RS, in turn, sends the information to handheld and/or mobile meter data collection devices. HDL files contain cycle, route, customer, meter, and reading data. Itron’s Field Collection System (FCS) employs the HDL file format to import data from utility customer information systems. Itron's Field Deployment Manager (FDM) downloads route information to HDL files for meter read validation by FCS and MV-RS.