The implementation and deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) presents water utilities with complex challenges in system integration, meter deployment, quality control, vendor stakeholder coordination, and customer service. Eastside Utility District (EUD), serving 24,000 residential water customers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, recently completed a comprehensive AMI deployment that transformed its metering infrastructure from manual reads to a fully automated cellular network system. The implementation required extensive coordination between multiple stakeholders, including EUD's engineering consultant Jacobs, technology provider Itron, implementation partner United Systems & Software, and the meter installation subcontractor Envocore. The project scope encompassed full replacement of mechanical meters with ultrasonic technology, deployment of cellular communication modules, and integration with existing utility billing and GIS systems. System integration proved to be challenging due to the complex network of vendor stakeholders across multiple platforms and systems. The project required coordinated integration between the AMI head-end system, customer information system, billing and online payment software, contractor work order management system, and customer portal interfaces. Specifically, integrating vendor data packages, upload frequency, format, and other parameters required significant effort to reconcile. Success stemmed from proactive project management as well as a key project champion at Eastside that facilitated timely solutions between technology vendors, implementation partners, and internal stakeholders. Quality assurance also emerged as a fundamental driver of project success. Weekly coordination meetings between Jacobs, Eastside, United Systems & Software, VXsmart, InvoiceCloud, Local Government, and Envocore enabled the creation of effective installation blackout schedules and customer communication protocols. The team implemented an installation audit program that included statistical sampling methodologies, meter install audit procedures, and documentation requirements. This approach enabled early identification and resolution of potential issues, ensuring consistent system performance and reliability throughout the deployment phase. The transition from manual reads to automated data collection required significant organizational transformation. New business processes were developed and implemented to support the AMI system's enhanced capabilities. The team maintained service continuity throughout the transition period while successfully integrating new data streams into existing business systems. The project's success is evidenced by measurable improvements in system performance: a 98.5% meter read rate, enhanced leak detection capabilities, and a 7-10% increase in revenue. This presentation will discuss key lessons identified during the implementation process, including: •The importance of establishing clear communication and decision-making frameworks among multiple stakeholders •The value of implementing quality control programs to verify meter installations meet utility standards •The critical role of effective project management and team alignment in successful system integration •The necessity of maintaining detailed performance metrics throughout the deployment phase •From the utility perspective, Jay will share his experiences throughout the process and lessons learned.