Hunt Technologies, Guardian to partner on prepay metering development project

PEQUOT LAKES, MN, & NOKOMIS, FL, Sept. 16, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Hunt Technologies Inc., a global provider of automatic meter reading (AMR) solutions, and Guardian Prepayment Systems today announced they are entering into an agreement to develop an AMR-enabled prepaid metering solution for residential applications.

Hunt and Guardian will jointly develop a system for use with a solid-state residential meter and Hunt Technologies' TS2 two-way, power line carrier AMR system. Guardian, which has extensive experience developing prepaid systems, will license software and hardware technology to Hunt. Hunt's TS2 system will provide the communication link between the meter and the utility.

"The development of a prepaid metering option will add another level of capabilities to Hunt's complete AMR solutions," said Todd Headlee, Hunt's chief operating officer. "We are excited about being able to offer a prepaid system that will set a new standard in the market."

AMR-controlled prepay metering offers a number of unique benefits for both the utility and the customer, including:
-- Reducing the utility's billing costs in high turnover accounts, such as college campuses, time-shares, and resort cabins or condominiums.
-- Providing an easier interface for the consumer by transmitting purchased power to the meter without the need for magnetic cards.
-- Allowing utilities to instantly recognize accurate revenue and audit the system through the daily meter reading data using TS2 power line carrier technology.
"Integrating a prepaid metering system with an established AMR system provides a number of advantages to the utility and increases the cost efficiency and consumer satisfaction for residential applications," said Steve Swartz, president of Guardian. "Hunt Technologies has a reputation for rapid development of advanced technology and we look forward to partnering on this project."

Hunt Technologies (www.hunttechnologies.com) uses innovative technology to deliver industry-leading automatic meter reading (AMR) solutions to the electric, water and gas utilities market. Based in central Minnesota, Hunt develops and supports hardware and software for more than 480 customers worldwide.

Guardian Prepayment Systems is a recently formed company focusing on the pre-paid electricity market. Company principals have extensive expertise in implementing pre-paid metering, including projects in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Africa. The company is based in Nokomis, Fla.

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