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Meet us at Smart Energy International India 2011

  
 

Phoenix along with technology partners Cyan shall be present at the Smart Energy International India 2011 - New Delhi - conference at booth #309.

Phoenix shall be showcasing the mPower(TM) MDMS at the event. Please drop by to meet us there.

Please find the link below for Smart Energy-India 2011 Conference.
http://www.smartenergy-india.com/en/index.php

The conference dates are from 14 to 16 November 2011.
Booth No. 309.

mPower™ - CIS go live is declared for DABS, Kabul, Afghanistan

 
 

Phoenix as the prime solution vendor for the CIS/CRM needs of Afghanistan’s primary utility Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) has successfully implemented its mPower™ Suite for the Metropolitan Region of Kabul.

Phoenix was selected among global competition for the USAID funded project because of its experience in implementing the mPower™ suite in rural areas of India and in troubled regions of the world. Phoenix’s experience in Nepal and the advanced mPower™ Suite also helped prime contractors TetraTech and consultants Deloitte and Manitoba Hydro International select Phoenix.

The project was executed from planning to go-live within a very ambitious time frame of six months. Phoenix also played a role in the complete Business Process Re-Engineering with Richard Tainton and Saeed Kashan of Manitoba Hydro and Deloitte respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Saeed Kashan (Consultant – Deloitte) said that “Phoenix plays an important role by bringing in domain expertise and their mPower™ product suite for utilities. We are glad that we chose Phoenix as the CIS & MDMS vendor among global competition and we would gladly recommend them for any future implementations because of their focus and commitment to the energy and utility domain and their advanced  mPower™ product suite.”

The successful completion of this project heralds the end of the legacy application which didn’t meet all the requirements of the utility and ushers in a complete CIS/CRM suite – customized in the local language Dari along with a high-performance database and an advanced server infrastructure.

Phoenix’s CEO Murali Krishna Gannamani thanked Mirwais Alami of DABS along with Richard Tainton, Saeed Kashan and Sam West without whom this project would not have been completed in the very short time-frame.

mPower™ Suite gears up for live over IBM servers, solutions & ESB at UPCL

  
 

The mPower™ Suite, built on the enterprise integration platform helps achieve business agility, information access anywhere, multi-modal communication, multi-device integration, business intelligence and enterprise integration through an ESB-based service oriented architecture. It also offers secure access to business applications hosted on the platform at multiple levels of granularity based on role based access permissions. Consumer can now avail the self-services like knowing the bill, payment through web, lodging complaints on power supply or billing related issues, registration of new connection etc., through web enabled system which reduces the effort of the utility to handle the same.

mPower Suite had enabled the utility to reduce metering, billing and collection cycles, drastically reducing unbilled consumption, and supporting single view consumer history and on demand consolidated and drill-down reports at various levels of operation. Metering, Billing & Collections are fully automated and work as modular components. Earlier a lot of expenditure was being incurred towards outsourcing of billing to the third party private agencies which is curtailed to Zero by empowering the utility staff with mPower Suite. mPower™ Suite - metering module now handles meter inventory, automated meter readings (Integration with MDAS), CMRI dumps, manual meter readings, integration with Hand Held Computers (HHC), reading adjustments and meter replacements.  The module even generates notices and alerts as per the guide lines defined.

mPower™ Suite supports intelligent decision making by fully integrating with the GIS / Network analysis system providing the benefits of on demand load flow analysis, assessment of load on network or DTR, providing real time updated maps for installation/uninstallation of meters in the premises etc. The energy distribution is better optimized and any such disaster due to loading up the existing network heavily and voltage fluctuations and service interruptions are eliminated.  

mPower™ Suite delivers on time reporting of the exceptions in metering to cash cycle for analysis and on-time decision making on almost real time.  The Metrics dashboard provides intelligent analysis which help in reducing outages and interruptions and helps in reducing aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) loss from the present 30-35% to around 15%.

mPower suite bundled with IBM stack is providing the required performance and integration requirements.  IBM System X 3950, X3850 - IBM servers are providing the platform for deployment of applications facilitating the high performance of the transactions,  IBM DB2 and IMS Tools - acting as a back end database for all frontline applications including the GIS system. IBM WebSphere Enterprise Service Bus - providing the fully functional middle ware for integration of different systems running on different platforms, IBM Lotus domino E-Mail Solution, IBM Tivoli Identity Manager, Tivoli Access Manager are providing the single sign-on (SSO)- enabled across the applications running on different platforms and technologies. IBM Tivoli Storage Manager - providing the monitoring and troubleshooting of the equipment installed. IBM System Storage DS8300, IBM System Storage TS3500 Tape Library - storage and storage management solutions are providing the storage capabilities and smarter maintenance; IBM back up system is providing full online capabilities.

Phoenix and Netinium come together to offer smart metering and smart grid solutions 27th July 2011

  
 

Phoenix IT Solutions Ltd, the smart utility software and services provider, announced today that they have entered into a strategic partnership with Netinium to offer Automated Meter Reading (AMR) /Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solutions for power, piped gas and water distribution companies in India and abroad.

AMI is the critical component of the much touted smart grid infrastructure for next generation utilities in power, gas and water utilities. AMR forms the foundation on which utilities can hope to reduce energy consumption and help the cause of environment. AMR /AMI systems generate huge amounts of data that is captured using a metering head-end system (communication platform) and then transferred to a meter data management system, where the data is cleaned, validated and analyzed for decision support. This metering data is further used for billing, revenue assurance and outage management.

Netinium, based at Wormer in the Netherlands, is a leading provider of vendor independent AMR/AMI Head-end (communications platform) solution and services for smart metering deployments in partnership with major metering companies. Phoenix is known for its versatile mPower Meter Data Management System (MDMS), built on a robust BI platform. Phoenix and Netinium are now combining their strengths to take on the global smart metering market, which is at the core of smart grid and smart city projects coming up all over the world. Both organizations shall also have a special focus on the emerging smart grid markets in India and Middle-East.

“We began our journey with Phoenix about two and half years back that culminated in this global partnership today. mPower™ MDMS from Phoenix perfectly complements our AMI head-end solution” said Netinium CEO Mr. Ferry Cserep. “We had been searching for ideal partners in the smart metering and smart grid space and we found that Netinium solutions can accelerate our US entry strategy” added Mr. G S Murali Krishna, CEO of Phoenix.

Business Line
Phoenix IT signs pact with Netinium
Date 28th Jul'2011

Hindu Article
Phoenix, Netinium pact for AMR solutions
Date 28th Jul'2011

Afghan team visits Eastern Power distribution company in south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh

  
 

Afghanistan, which has increased availability of power to 700 MW from a meager 30 MW during Taliban regime, is confident of providing access to power to most of its population by 2020.
With free flow of funds from various agencies, Afghanistan wants to study best practices and customer services followed by the AP Eastern Power Distribution Company to improve their system.

After a chat with Phoenix IT Solution Ltd Managing Director G. Murali Krishna, the seven-member team said they wanted to set benchmarking for billing, customer care, quality power supply and distribution.

Phoenix is also the technology partner for modernization of the power sector in Kabul. USAID is assisting Afghanistan in commercialization and management through the Kabul Electricity Service Improvement Program (KESIP). It is also assisting national electricity authority, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS).

KESIP Chief of Party (COP) Art Sedestrom told The Hindu on Wednesday that their association with Phoenix would enable them to introduce best practices followed here in Kabul first and later replicate them in other parts of their country.

At present, power supply is done in Kabul and the other two big cities – Mazar-i-Sharif and Herat. Many depend on diesel generators. Half of 700 MW sourced by the Afghans is supplied from Uzbekistan.

“We want to increase the availability of power. We have adopted a vision to provide access to almost all by 2020 by sourcing 4,000 MW,” Mr. Tainton, a USAID contractor and commercial management advisor of KESIP, said.

At present, there is no proper billing system and no electricity Act in place. Power supply is available only in select areas. Due to rough mountainous terrains, the reach is limited.

Reforms
Afghanistan wants to bring about reforms in the power sector in a phased manner by introducing SMS alerts, complaint tracking system and on-the-spot billing.

At present, 70 per cent of areas in Kabul have power supply. Sixty per cent of power available is consumed by four million consumers of Kabul out of a total population of 30 million. Power supply is extended to 30 per cent of the area.

USAID has committed $1.7 billion in the next two years for the energy sector of Afghanistan. It has invested $28 million in DABS to date and promised another $20 million in the next two years.

Hindu Article
Best practices in EPDCL impress Afghan team
Date 17th Feb'2011

Deccan Chronicle Article
City IT firm wins Afghan project
Date 18th Feb'2011

Phoenix wins mandate to implement its mPower™ Suite in Afghanistan

  
 

Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat is the country-wide utility serving the electricity needs of Afghanistan.

Kabul Electricity Division (KED) is responsible for the electricity needs for the Kabul Metropolitan Region.

USAID funded Kabul Electricity Service Improvement Project’s (KESIP) main goal isto reduce electricity losses for Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) largest distribution hub (Capital Hub) in Kabul, and to rebuild the hub’s technical, commercial and human resource systems.
TetraTech head the KESIP program with support from Deloitte and at the end of the KESIP project the Capital Hub is expected to be operating with substantially reduced electricity losses.

Phoenix was selected as the prime solution provider for the CIS/CRM needs of Afghanistan and it licenses its mPower™ Suite for the entire country of Afghanistan with the initial project area limited to the Kabul Metropolitan Region for KED.

Phoenix’s mPower™ suite was considered the best solution among global competition and Phoenix’s project management and expertise in implementing CIS/CRM solutions across India and Nepal were also considered extensive and unparalleled.

The award decision by consultants Deloitte and TetraTech was also helped by the fact that Phoenix has experience in implementing its solution in rural areas across India and in troubled areas across the world.

Phoenix shall be customizing its mPower™ product for use in both English and Dari. It shall also train the users as well as provide user and technical manuals in both the languages.
Phoenix licenses the following modules from its suite:

  • System Architecture
  • Reporting and Queries
  • Customer Information
  • Premise Information
  • Customer Contact (CRM)
  • Account
  • Services
  • Bill Preparation and Distribution
  • Credit and Collections
  • Payments and Accounts Receivable
  • Cash Receipting
  • Meter Reading
  • Field Service Orders
  • Service Interruptions and Outages
  • Calculating Charges
  • Consumption Calculation
  • Interfaces
  • System Administration

Phoenix will implement its mPower™ CIS/CRM product and will maintain the project for a further period of 3 Years.

Phoenix's mPower Suite of products selected for implementation for the large south Indian state of Tamil Nadu

  
 

Tamil Nadu is one of the largest states in India with a population of over 62 million and Tamil Nadu Generation & Distribution Company (TANGEDCO) is the only distribution and generation company providing energy service to the entire state of Tamil Nadu. With over 20 Million consumers, this is one of the largest utilities in India and the largest R-APDRP implementation in India.

R-APDRP (Restructured-Accelerated Power Development & Reforms Program) is an effort by the nodal agency Power Finance Corporation (PFC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India to reduce AT&C losses to less than 15%.

The lead system integrator ITI Ltd and second system integrator Navayuga InfoTech have won the mandate to implement and integrate modern IT systems across the state of Tamil Nadu for TANGEDCO.

Phoenix brings its widely implemented mPower suite of CIS/CRM products to implement an enterprise wide solution covering the following modules for this implementation for TANGEDCO:

  • New Connection Management
  • Metering
  • Billing
  • Collections
  • Energy Audit
  • Customer Self-Service
  • Centralized customer care services
  • Management Information System
  • Disconnection and Dismantling
  • Meter Data Management System

ITI Ltd and Navayuga InfoTech are responsible for the overall project implementation which includes the following:

  • Establishment of Data Center
  • Establishment of Disaster Recovery Center
  • Implementation of a state-wide GIS
  • Implementation of automated Meter Data Acquisition Solution
  • WAN and LAN connectivity across all utility offices throughout the state

Phoenix will implement its mPower™ Suite within the target time frame of 18 months set by the nodal agency and will maintain the system for a further 5 years.

Phoenix wins prestigious R-APDRP bid for the state of Uttarakhand

 
 

R-APDRP (Restructured-Accelerated Power Development & Reforms Program) is an effort by the nodal agency Power Finance Corporation (PFC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India to reduce AT&C losses to lesser than 15%.

Phoenix along with consortium partner Infinite Computer Solutions, Bangalore have been active in participating in the R-APDRP bids being floated for various Indian states and have been consistently scoring very high in technical ratings.

Phoenix with its wide Indian utility IT services and solutions experience and Infinite with its international project experience have successfully bid and won the project for the IT enablement of UPCL (Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd).

Phoenix brings its widely implemented mPower suite of CIS/CRM products to implement the following modules for UPCL:

  • New Connection Management
  • Metering
  • Billing
  • Collections
  • Energy Audit
  • Web Self-Service
  • Centralized customer care services
  • Management Information System
  • Disconnection and Dismantling
  • Meter Data Management System
  • Integration with GIS, MDAS and all other modules for a complete solution

Further, the scope of the project includes:

  • Establishment of Data Center at Dehradun
  • Establishment of Disaster Recovery Center at Haridwar
  • Implementation of a state-wide GIS
  • Implementation of automated Meter Data Acquisition Solution
  • WAN and LAN connectivity across all utility offices throughout the state

Phoenix will implement the integrated solution within the target time frame of 18 months set by the nodal agency and will maintain the system for a further 5 years.

The Tribune Article
Power Dept to get IT backbone
Date18th Mar'2011

Phoenix designed APEPDCL’s portal is best among the corporate portals in India

 
 

Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), the national association of PR practitioners in India has declared the APEPDCL's Eastern Power portal (www.apepdcl.gov.in) to be among the best corporate portals in India.

The portal designed, developed and maintained by Phoenix has in the past been appreciated for its aesthetics and the design has been commended by the top management of APEPDCL, one of India's top utility companies.

The website has been one of the most important touch points for APEPDCL's customers offering unparalled services and up-to-date information about the many services offered by APEPDCL.

The website was ranked 2nd among all corporate sites in India, including both the public as well as the private sector.

Public Relations National Awards – 2009
http://www.prsi.co.in/nationalaward.htm

Phoenix designed Chhattisgarh SLDC site goes live

 
 

The Chattisgarh State Load Dispatch Center (SLDC) site designed and developed by Phoenix has been launched.

The SLDC site (www.sldccg.gov.in) is among the first of its kind for a electricity transmission company which marries data gathering and data presentation in a never seen-before pleasant form making it friendlier to use and informative for SLDC's customers.

The Phoenix web service team was also commended for its role in designing and developing the site in a short time.

SE 1A Rating received from CRISIL for the second consecutive year

 
 

Throughout the years we have exhibited consistent peformance and financial stability. This fact has been affirmed by the NSIC-CRISIL rating of SE 1A for the second consecutive year. The SE 1A rating indicates 'Highest Performance Capability and High Financial Strength'.

CRISIL Rating Certificate

Phoenix designed Ministry of Power website rated the best among government sites by independent analyst WebChutney

 
 

A study – Indian Government Online-2009 – carried out by portal consultancy firm Webchutney declares the Ministry of Power’s site the best website among government sites – Hindustan Times reports.

The Phoenix IT Solutions Web Services team has been working on the MoP’s site since the past 5 years in close collaboration with the ministry officials.

The web services team was established as part of the major initiative to help Phoenix’s various utility clients and related departments to come closer to the consumer and to increase the number of touch points for better consumer satisfaction.

The Web Services team has been commended for their services by various clients in the past and this acknowledgement by an independent evaluator only adds to the accolades

Hindustan Times Article
Date 14th Sep'2009

Phoenix empanelled as IT Implementation Agency under R-APDRP

 
 

Phoenix IT Solutions Ltd - in consortium with Infinite Computer Solutions (I) Ltd - has been empanelled as one of the select few "System Integrators" under the $2 billion R-APDRP program funded by the Government of India. The consortium partners have already executed some prestigious projects in the power sector including an APDRP funded project for KESCO, Kanpur and the ADB funded project for NEA, Nepal.

Phoenix has also been empanelled as "Meter Data Acquisition (AMR) Solution Provider" and "GIS Solution Provider" in its individual capacity.

The empanelment process by the nodal agency, Power Finance Corporation, is an effort to identify qualified IT implementation agencies for the success of the R-APDRP program. The primary objective of the program is to bring down AT&C losses to 15% in the identified project areas.

Team Phoenix participates in "Let's Vote"

  
 

April 5th, 2009, Visakhapatnam
The team from Phoenix IT Solutions Ltd participated in the "Let's Vote" awareness campaign, a silent walk from Vuda Park to Ramakrishna Beach. The campaign is intended to sensitize the citizens of Vizag about the value of the Vote, their fundamental right.

Phoenix launches NEWGEN Customer services (Centralized call center) at APEPDCL, Vishakapatnam.

 
 

Phoenix has launched a first of its kind 24x7 centralized call center with IVRS at APEPDCL. The system incorporates multiple interfaces like telephone, website and helpdesks at Customer Facilitation Centers, for the convenience of the customer.

Other services being offered as part of this prestigious project are: a customer self-service portal to assist the customer to view his/her connection/billing/payment information, post complaints / requests and track them till resolution; a single-window service for high value and HT consumers; door-step service at a nominal additional cost for people who wish to avail of the same and Bijlee premium service for new service connections to avail time-bound service with service guarantee.

These services are enabled by eCare (CRM) and eCall (Interaction Management) modules of mPower software suite from Phoenix. Both the modules are widely deployed across India and Nepal covering more than 5 million consumers.

Phoenix to implement RAS (Revenue Assurance System) in APEPDCL, Vishakapatnam.

 
 

The mPower Revenue Assurance System (RAS) that would be implemented by Phoenix at APEPDCL has a host of advantages which include standardization of billing, collection, accounting and credit control processes throughout the APEPDCL thereby reducing the daily problems related to process and data mismatch and availability of timely information for decision support. The main objectives of this project are:

• Standardization of billing, collection, accounting and credit control processes throughout EPDCL by rolling out mPower RAS in a phased manner

• Eliminate manual methods of handling the revenue management and customer service processes to the extent feasible

• Maintaining data integrity by using a single solution (mPower RAS) across all EROs thereby reducing the time and effort and the resultant errors involved in data consolidation, validation and migration activities from disparate systems

• Facilitate quick and accurate data consolidation for timely decision making

• Integrate Revenue & Customer service data to improve business process efficiencies and provide 360 degree view of customer account information

The solution is being implemented across APEPDCL bringing together 28 Electricity Revenue Offices and 5 Circle Offices with the Corporate Office. All these offices are connected through WAN for seamless connectivity.

Phoenix to deploy its web-based Meter Data Management System (MDMS) at APEPDCL, Vishakapatnam.
 

Phoenix has been given the mandate to customize and deploy its web based Meter Data Management System mSure for acquiring, validating, storing and analyzing the meter data acquired from all the electronic trivector meters currently installed and other meters as and when extended. The advantages of mSure include:

  • Manages the most critical metering data while ensuring that it is secure, audited and easily accessible to individuals and systems across the enterprise
  • Acts as a single solution for all interval, register and event data for all categories of consumers
  • Based on open standards, it manages data coming from multiple collection systems and provides accurate and reliable data to various billing and analytical systems in the organization
  • If the AMR systems provide outage or restore information, the meter data management system can record outage start and restore times, organize events by meter, customer, fixed network collector, and transformer; and filter and present meter events to identify problem areas.
  • Historical customer data from meter data management when analyzed with historical weather data and transformer capacity ratings, can help predict transformer failures allowing to plan for predictive maintenance. 
  • Graphical analysis of usage patterns that might indicate meter defect, meter tampering, or theft of service.
  • Generation of highly accurate forecasts of future energy demand reducing the guesswork from daily operations and long-term planning, lowering both risk and cost.
  • Accurate and timely forecasts also provide energy intelligence that is directly applicable to infrastructure construction and maintenance, pricing contracts, supply schedules, load profiles, rate design, and energy efficiency.
  • With the ability to predict times of peak demand, utilities and their customers can then form partnerships to reduce extreme loads, thus maintaining a reliable and affordable supply of power.

Phoenix launches UtiLite, the ERP solution for power utilities

  
 

Phoenix has launched its utility specific ERP solution called UtiLite, addressing the enterprise needs of power utilities. UtiLite is being implemented at two sub-divisions under Jaipur Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd (JVVNL), a progressive utility in the state of Rajasthan in India. The JVVNL deployment covers all the operational functions at the sub-division office working towards a paperless office. Phoenix will also provide the entire IT infrastructure and manpower to run the operations at these sub-divisions on a franchisee model for a period of three years, during which period UtiLite will be rolled out across JVVNL operations in a phased manner.


Phoenix set to launch eCare services for Central Electric supply Utility (CESU), Bhubaneshwar

  
 

Phoenix is all set to launch eCare services for CESU. The Electricity Call Center is fully functional and ready for launch. The facility will be inaugurated by Hon. Minister for Power, IT & Tourism, Shri Surjanarayan Patro on 1st June 2008. The services envisaged are Electricity Call center for handling supply related complaints, Customer service center for handling commercial complaints and new service connections; centralized collection center to facilitate bill payments for all the customers of Bhubaneshwar city. An integrated IVRS system developed in house by Phoenix for the Electricity Call Center is also being commissioned for this project.

Phoenix launches Any Time Payment machines for APEPDCL
 

Phoenix has successfully installed 10 ATP (Any Time Payment) machines for Eastern Power Distribution Company of A.P Limited at different locations. The first machine was inaugurated on 9th May 2008 by Mr. K Vijayanand, Joint Managing Director, APTRANSCO in the presence of Mr. N Gulzar, Chairman and Managing Director, APEPDCL. Plans are afoot to launch the machines in another four circles.

Phoenix bags the contract for implementation of mPower™ suite in Agartala city for Siemens and Power Grid
 

Phoenix has bagged the contract for implementation of mPower™ suite (Billing & Collections, Customer Care, Energy Auditing and Web Self – service Portal) in Agartala city for Siemens and Power Grid. The scope of work in Phoenix’s purview also includes integration of the Billing and Customer Care module with SCADA and GIS systems.

Phoenix successfully implements mPower™ for a utility with a base of more than 3 million customers
 

Phoenix has successfully implemented a pilot installation of its flagship product, mPower™ for a utility with a customer base exceeding 3 milllion customers. The services envisaged and accomplished during this project, among many others, were to map the re-engineered customer service processes, customize the product and obtain User Acceptance within 60 days from the client consultants, implement the solution at 54 locations spread across wide geography including consumer data conversion, migration, end-user training and OAT in a tight time frame of 6 months.


Phoenix bags contract from Jaipur Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd.(JVVNL)
 

Phoenix bags the contract for implementation of software systems (for Revenue management, Customer care, Inventory management, Energy Audit, Reporting & Data Analytics, Document management and other software modules) to support their tactical work flow and operations in two sub-divisions on a pilot basis in the state of Rajasthan for Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd on a BOT basis.


Phoenix reaches another milestone at Kanpur Electricity Supply Company(KESCO)
 

This project envisages customization and implementation for a comprehensive CRM, Billing and Debt Management solution, catering to all the categories of customers. mPower™ including Energy Audit module has been implemented centrally at KESCO IT Center in an online environment. Initially, the categories for which billing in done through hand held for one branch were taken, and it was extended for all the categories where manual billing is done. Customer Information Portal where consumer can give complaint, know their billed tariff (www.kesco.co.in) was also developed. Successfully completed software User Acceptance Test (UAT) despite many challenges like clustering the environment, making it online while adhering to the stringent time lines while taking every care to maintain the security of the entire system.


Phoenix wins accolades at Nepal Electricity Authority
 

Successfully implemented the mPower™ product at Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and got the Operational Acceptance by the NEA. This project had an ambitious customization schedule for UAT of 3 months. The unique feature here was that the system had to also follow the Nepali calendar. Training was imparted to a large team for effective roll-out in entire Nepal involving data migration, installation, trouble-shooting, maintenance etc. Integration with their existing financial management, and MIS system was also carried out successfully. The project was completed to the utmost satisfaction of the client, and accolades were showered on team Phoenix for on time delivery of a world class product despite the unstable political situation and many other challenges faced.


 

 

 
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