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Give a round of APPlause to SmartHub

November 16, 2012

Cell phones and mobile technology are becoming more integrated into our work and personal lives every day. You can read the news, check social media sites, send and receive emails, surf the Internet, and so much more. Technology is advancing constantly, and Medina Electric Cooperative is stepping up and providing different outlets to manage your energy consumption and connect with us.

Late last year, Medina EC launched an application called SmartHub. SmartHub will be available in both mobile apps and a Web version to give you secure access to maintain your account information, view your bills, see payment history, make payments on one or more accounts, set up recurring payments and report outages. They also allow you to monitor and manage your usage by use of graphics and usage markers.

The Web version allows you to register your accounts to receive notifications for account milestones, such as an approaching or a missed due date. It also allows you to set usage markers (date range or point in time) to monitor the changes in usage based on events. The Web has a profile page available for you to maintain your personal information, password, security pass phrase and stored payment methods. The apps allow you to find and get directions to office locations using the map feature on your device.

Our mobile apps are native Applications that can be downloaded and installed on your compatible mobile phone or tablet device. The Web version is internet accessible from any web enabled device.

“SmartHub is going to be a great resource for our members,” said Mark Rollans, CEO of Medina EC. “Paying their bill or reporting an outage will be much simpler. At the touch of a finger on their phone, they will have access to their account information and much more.”

What devices are supported?

Our apps are supported on the following platforms: IOS 3.1 and above (iPhone and/or iPad) and Android 2.1 and above (Smartphones or tablets).

To get the app for your phone or tablet, simply search: SmartHub (not case sensitive but must be all one word) in the Apple Store® or in the Android® Market. If you notice duplicates, the correct App is provided by our partner, National Information Solutions Cooperative. Our app is free to download and install.

All critical information is encrypted in every transaction run and no personal information is stored on your mobile device. Mobile devices do offer you the ability to store your login information for apps installed on the device. If you choose to store your login information, any person who has access to your mobile device can access your account.

How does Medina gather my usage data?

Many members may have noticed they received a new meter at their home in the last six years. These new “smart” meters are automated and report your usage back to our office.   Do you remember the old days when a lineman or even the customer would manually read the meter monthly? Well, that’s history, as the mechanical meters are being replaced by new digital meters.  Because the meters are constantly communicating, MEC can provide instantaneous, daily and hourly reads, instead of the one monthly reading.  Now, with today’s automated systems meter readings are available to members at www.MedinaEC.org, or by obtaining a hard copy from their respective district office.

 “This additional data allows for us to pinpoint problems and get an accurate look at usage history,” said Mike Wade, Chief Operating Officer for Medina EC. “With SmartHub, members will be able to take advantage of all the information provided by the meters. For example, an electric bill is unusually high that month and the member doesn’t know why, he takes a look at the usage charts on SmartHub and sees on the 14th of the month was when usage started increasing. Doing some investigating, he remembers he bought a space heater around that time. SmartHub will give members the information they need to have more control over their energy usage.”

When will we be able to download the app?

Now! Medina EC launched the SmartHub app last November. The new app is available to all member-owners. For questions on SmartHub please contact Medina EC at 1-866-MEC-ELEC (632-3532).