How to Use the Manual Read App
Roles: Admins, Manual Readers
Last updated: April 2025
Once a Manual Read property is configured within the NextCentury Web Portal, users can be assigned as Readers to the property. The NextCentury Manual Read app is used to quickly and easily record manual reads at properties. Readers can also view and keep track of due dates, grace periods, number of units, notes, meter locations, and more.
This article outlines how Manual Readers can use the Manual Read app to view and record reads. For additional information on Manual Read properties and how they can be configured, see Manual Read Properties.
Recording Manual Reads
Download the Manual Read app from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS) by searching "Manual Reads".
For additional information on downloading the Manual Read app, see NCSS Manual Read App.
Open the Manual Read app and sign in using your NextCentury username and password.
Note: Once assigned to a property, an activation email will be sent to the user's email with a link to create NextCentury sign-in credentials. If no email was received, contact your Billing Company or Contractor to verify the email used.
Each Manual Read app user is encouraged to have their own login. Additional logins can be created by a Billing Company or Property admin on the NextCentury Web Portal.
Once signed in, your assigned properties will be displayed.
The color of each property’s due date indicates its status.
Properties will not be listed for Readers unless their user emails have been assigned to those properties. Properties may also not be listed if the current Contractor or Billing Company has had the property transferred away from their portfolio.
If a property is not visible, contact your Contractor or Billing Company for help. For information on how to assign users as Readers to properties, see Manual Read Properties.
Select a property from the list to begin collecting reads at that site.
You can also search for a specific property name by using the search bar at the top.
Sort the property’s units by unit name or by the pre-programmed route order.
Note: Route Order can be configured for a property on the NextCentury Web Portal. This determines the order in which reads should be recorded. If no Route Order is set, one will be configured automatically based on the order in which the first reads are recorded. For information on configuring Route Order, see Manual Read Properties.
Individual units can also be searched with the search bar when viewing the property.
Select a unit and enter the read for that utility meter. Select the camera icon and add or take a new photo of the meter.
Select “Next” to jump to the next meter in the list.
Some units may have multiple utility types. Be sure to submit reads for the correct utility meter.
If desired, multiple users can collect reads at the same property. This can be done simultaneously or at different times. When reads are being collected simultaneously, it is recommended that the users communicate their routes with one another to improve efficiency.
All users will need to submit their reads before a property can be marked as complete.
The NextCentury platform supports several utility types, each indicated with a different icon.
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Icon |
Utility |
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Cold Water |
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Hot Water |
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All Water |
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Commercial Water |
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Electric |
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Gas |
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Runtime |
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Thermal |
If you are unable to record a read, select Can't get a read?, then select the corresponding reason.
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Reason |
Example |
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Access Obstructed |
Something is blocking access to the meter |
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Tenant Refused Access |
The current resident will not allow you in the unit |
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Unable to Access |
There is no way to reach the meter |
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Equipment Issue |
Meter or other equipment damaged or faulty |
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Cannot Find Equipment |
Equipment is not where it should be and cannot be found |
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Missing Equipment |
The equipment has been removed or is missing |
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Unit is Closed |
Business/unit is closed and the meter is inaccessible |
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Other |
Use this feature if no other option applies |
To view additional meter and unit information, select Details. The utility type, description, meter details, and previous read can be viewed here. Tap the down arrow on the Previous Read line to view more details about the most recent read.
The utility icon will turn green once the read is recorded for that meter. The number of completed meters can be seen in the lower-left corner.
Ensure all meters are complete before leaving the property.
Once all meter reads are recorded, they must be “synced” or uploaded to the NextCentury Cloud. An Internet connection is required for this step. To sync recorded reads, select “Submit Reads” option at the bottom of the screen or in the upper right-hand menu. Then confirm by selecting “Yes” at the prompt.
A progress bar will be shown to indicate that the reads are being submitted. Once the reads have finished uploading, the screen will indicate that reads have been uploaded. The property will then move to the bottom of the list with the next cycle’s due date to signal that the reads for the current cycle are complete.
If additional reads or images need to be uploaded, or there is an open reads session for the property, the property will remain in the "Uploaded" status. Tap on the property to see the status of the reads and view which Readers have an open session for the property. All reads must be uploaded and all open sessions must be closed in order for this property's reads to be complete.
Note: Open sessions are determined by the device, not the user, so the same user could potentially have multiple sessions open across different devices. To close sessions that are currently open, the user needs to follow the submission process—even if that session does not have any meter data to upload.