• New partnership enables end-to-end solutions for mobile applications.
SPOKANE, WA, Feb. 9, 2007 -- Itron Inc. announced Feb. 5 a new partnership with Eka Systems to augment its ERT-based Data Collection Suite, with Eka's mobile wireless technology. The enhanced solution will provide utilities with remote demand reset and time-of-use (TOU) capability with a Mobile AMR system. The partnership provides a seamless integration with Itron's meter reading software platforms.
Under the agreement, Itron can provide utilities with the Eka Systems two-way mobile technology to remotely read and reset demand on Itron CENTRON® solid-state electricity meters and gather data utilizing Itron's meter reading software platforms. The agreement enables utilities to use the combination of Itron and Eka mobile technologies to retrieve metering data from residential, commercial and industrial meters without changing their existing route structure.
Eka Systems has reliable, Internet-enabled wireless device networking technology for monitoring, control, and integration of the utility and energy infrastructure.
"We are very excited to be working with Itron, the leader in mobile automated meter reading to enhance their solution for commercial and industrial metering," said Prakash Chakravarthi, CEO, Eka Systems. "The combination of Itron and Eka addresses a substantial market requirement and will deliver significant value to utilities and their customers."
"A need to remotely reset demand with a Mobile AMR system is required by many electric utilities today," said Malcolm Unsworth, senior vice president of Itron hardware solutions. "We are excited to combine Eka Systems' two-way mobile solution with our Mobile Collection system to enhance the value of Mobile AMR for our customers."
Itron (www.itron.com) is a leading technology provider and critical source of knowledge to the global energy and water industries. Nearly 3,000 utilities worldwide rely on Itron's award-winning technology to provide the knowledge they require to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Itron creates value for its clients by providing industry-leading solutions for electricity metering; meter data collection; energy information management; demand response; load forecasting, analysis and consulting services; distribution system design and optimization; web-based workforce automation; and enterprise and residential energy management
Eka Systems Inc. (www.ekasystems.com) is a provider of wireless networking solutions for monitoring, and control applications. Eka has developed a distributed wireless network technology platform, EkaNet™ Mobile, which is the framework for bi-directional communications that provides demand reset and time-of-use reads from commercial and industrial meters. The EkaNet™ platform delivers networking solutions that are reliable and easily deployed. In addition, Eka has integrated this technology into robust, comprehensive, utility oriented solutions.
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Also see: "Itron selected by Detroit for largest Water Fixed Network solution in North America"
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