RALEIGH, NC -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Sensus is partnering with leading meter data management system (MDMS) provider Ecologic Analytics to provide a pre-validated, pre-integrated communications solution for electricity customers using the Sensus FlexNet advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system.
Providing end-to-end, best of breed solutions requires interoperability. The Sensus FlexNet and Ecologic MDMS solution is based on the IEC 61968 Part 9 interface, the interoperability standard to provide a CIM (common interface model) gateway for meter reading and control data to be exchanged between the Sensus radio network interface (RNI) head end system and the Ecologic MDMS application.
Using this standards-based approach to pre-integrate and test the systems is a fundamental principle for the strategic alliance between Sensus and Ecologic Analytics. The pre-integration and testing work eliminates time spent in the field building ad-hoc interfaces that extend the duration of the project.
"Our goal is to get customers from installation to benefit realization as efficiently and predictably as possible. Using international industry standards within our products to establish open and reusable pre-integration is a key step in this process," said John Galloway, executive vice president for business development at Ecologic Analytics. "Our IEC/CIM standards-based integration streamlines implementation and reduces customer initial and ongoing costs-in addition to enabling rapid adoption of future solution capabilities."
The integration between systems includes the following functionality that is now available for electric meter data:
- Daily register reads from RNI to MDMS
- 15-minute and hourly interval data from RNI to MDMS
- Remote connect/disconnect requests from MDMS to RNI
- On-demand read requests from MDMS to RNI
- Meter diagnostic data such as alerts, alarms and flags (e.g. tamper flags and others) from RNI to MDMS
- On-demand power status check requests from MDMS to RNI
- Peak demand data from RNI to MDMS
According to Sensus vice president of strategic alliances, Matt Zafuto, the partnership with Ecologic Analytics reflects a commitment to offering an industry leading end-to-end utility communications network supporting complementary technologies that meet customer's preferences and needs.
"The utility marketplace is increasing its requirements for fully integrated solutions that transform data into information and ultimately into intelligence," said Zafuto. "Our clients also look for Sensus to enable this technology in an open-standards-based approach that facilitates interoperability with multiple applications. Our integration with Ecologic Analytics' applications is further proof of our industry-leading commitment to open standards and interoperability with a CIM-based approach."
Both companies see the new partnership as a solid pathway to expand nationally and globally in large-scale deployments for multi-service utilities providing electric, water and gas. The pre-integrated Ecologic MDMS to RNI solution for electric meter data is now generally available with water and natural gas meter data becoming available in Q4'2011.
About Sensus
Sensus is a leading utility infrastructure company offering smart meters, communication systems, software and services for the electric, gas, and water industries. Sensus technology helps utilities drive operational efficiency and customer engagement with applications that include advanced meter reading, data acquisition, demand response, distribution automation, home area networking and outdoor lighting control. Customers worldwide trust the innovation, quality and reliability of Sensus solutions for the intelligent use and conservation of energy and water.