Remote Humidity and Moisture Monitoring and Web-based Reporting

NEEDHAM, MA /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- MonitorBot Inc. (disaster recovery systems developer), Sensicast (wireless sensor solutions leader), and B&B Electronics (manufacturer of data-comm products for building controls) announced that they have jointly developed, and will soon make available, the "world's first" remote, totally integrated moisture monitoring system: MonitorBot.

MonitorBot combines 24/7 wireless sensor monitoring of humidity and moisture levels; dissemination of the data through a Sensicast SensiNet mesh network; rugged components and a wireless gateway developed by B&B Electronics; and online notification (via reports or alarms) of current conditions. The solution consists of a field-installable kit and a Web-based ASP service, and will be available in Q3-06.

After a simple installation, MonitorBot monitors job-site conditions remotely from any computer with an Internet connection. MonitorBot has been designed to meet the needs of service providers who deliver post-flood/disaster water cleanup, drying, dehumidification, deodorization, and building stabilization services for residential and commercial buildings. Service providers that may be interested in MonitorBot include the more than 4000 franchisees of ServiceMaster Clean, a market leader in residential disaster restoration, with over 1000 disaster restoration facilities in North America.

Beyond its ServiceMaster Clean subsidiary, The ServiceMaster Co. provides outsourcing services for more than 10.5 million residential and commercial customers and announced its acquisition in February 2006 of another innovator in the disaster response and reconstruction business, the InStar Services Group. "When disasters strike, service providers need to spend more time fixing problems caused by flooding and less time doing routine checks on the conditions in properties they serve," said Tim Bruffey, president and originator of the MonitorBot system. "As a ServiceMaster Clean Quality Restoration Vendor franchisee myself, I sought a way to cut back on time I spent traveling to/from and at on-site visits. With MonitorBot's remote monitoring and Internet reporting, I've cut back labor costs, improved service, and can now handle more jobs simultaneously. To increase the value to franchisees, MonitorBot's alarms and reports are formatted specifically for ServiceMaster insurance forms, billing, and standard company processes.

"With The National Hurricane Center predicting 12 to 15 storms in the current 2006 hurricane season, providers need to deliver effective damage restoration services to homes, businesses, and institutions," said Paul Richards, VP of Sensicast. "Developed by a ServiceMaster franchisee for fellow franchisees, MonitorBot incorporates Sensicast's SensiNet wireless mesh network for a solution that lets providers optimize their manpower and improve service delivery."

"When pipes break, appliances overflow, or drains clog, wet conditions cause mold to grow and spread quickly, destroying fiber in wood, paper, and fabric unless it is treated," said Don Wiencek, president of B&B Electronics. "By integrating MonitorBot software and rugged components and wireless gateways from B&B Electronics, ServiceMaster franchisees will have a comprehensive system for remote moisture monitoring and a strong addition to their damage-restoration toolkit."

"MonitorBot's technology is very impressive," said Jake Labrie, VP of Operations of Texas-based Lautriv Inc., an early MonitorBot tester whose company serves property casualty insurers. "We plan to use MonitorBot for remote monitoring because we know it will accelerate the process of documenting and paying claims and translate into significant cost savings for insurers." Greg Grandee of ServiceMaster of Alexandria (VA) agrees: "MonitorBot will handle routine monitoring automatically and let me dedicate more time and resources to accelerate the drying and remediation process."

Five Facts About Water Damage and Floods

  • Water damage is one of the most common reasons people make home insurance claims. Burst pipes, leaky appliances, and flooded basements are just a few of the reasons. (Source: Insure.com)
  • Claims for water damage, mold, and freezing totaled an estimated $25.6 billion in 2002. (Source: Insurance Services Office Inc.)
  • Floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S.
  • Your home has a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage, compared with a 9% chance of fire.
  • Mildew and mold will develop within 24–48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture and effectively deal with the mold problem. (Source: Department of Homeland Security/FEMA)

About B&B Electronics Manufacturing Co. B&B Electronics is a leading manufacturer of data communication products for industrial automation, retail services, and building control fields. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Ottawa, IL, the company serves over 50,000 customers worldwide. B&B Electronics is a subsidiary of Avtek Corp., a privately held company in Providence, RI.

About Sensicast Systems, Inc.
Sensicast provides comprehensive intelligent wireless sensor solutions for a wide range of services and applications, delivering crucial information from environments where data collection is impossible or impractical through wired sensors. Sensicast's SensiNet wireless sensor networks operate in buildings worldwide, providing robust and reliable monitoring of temperature, moisture/humidity, and energy metrics. Headquartered in the U.S., Sensicast is a private company, with Ardesta, LLC and Global Environment Fund as its primary investors.

About MonitorBot Inc.
MonitorBot Inc is the originator of the first remote, totally integrated moisture monitoring system: MonitorBot. Designed for easy deployment by professionals providing residential, commercial, and institutional disaster recovery services, MonitorBot gives providers enhanced control and real-time property-site status through a turnkey system of smart wireless sensor monitoring technology and a Web-based reporting service. Using MonitorBot, providers can deliver water-damage clean-up services more efficiently, to more customers, than ever before. For more information visit the company's Web site.

SensiNet and Sensicast are registered trademarks of Sensicast Systems Inc. All other trademarks or service marks are property of their respective owners.