Capturing and processing measurement data relies on ever-evolving technology, equipment, and procedures. Current industry practices use flow computers located near the primary measuring device to capture, calculate, and store measurement data. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems or polling engines (PEs) are used to collect measurement information on a scheduled frequency using microwave, fiber, satellite, or cellular communication channels.

After the SCADA/PE system collects the measurement data, the information is made available to the measurement system. The measurement system provides a processing layer that validates data to ensure integrity and compliance with regulatory and industry requirements.

Data retention policies are then determined by organizational standard operating procedures (SOPs) and regulatory and/or contractual requirements.