Elster Upgrades EnergyAxis

RALEIGH, NC /PRNewswire/ -- Elster Solutions announced the release of version 9.0 of the EnergyAxis advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. This release, which includes a large number of functionality enhancements, as well as user interface improvements, further increases system performance, enhances flexibility, and provides additional configuration and upgrade capabilities across the wide range of electric, water, gas, and in-home devices supported by EnergyAxis.

With this release, Elster is introducing breakthrough architectural enhancements that significantly advance the flexibility, speed, and security of remote configuration and upgrade of devices and firmware. EnergyAxis 9.0 offers utilities the means to significantly reduce the time and cost of deploying field personnel to complete equipment upgrades and reconfigurations.

Based on the findings of design workshops with EnergyAxis developers and users, Elster has also embarked on a new approach to the user interface of the EnergyAxis Management System. EnergyAxis version 9.0 offers significant enhancements in operator efficiency and application usability; more task-oriented menu structures, context sensitivity, and configuration frameworks enable workers to tailor the application to ideally fit their method of working.

"The BPU team participated with Elster in user interface workshops and focus groups," said William A. Johnson, Manager of Electric Operations & Technology, Kansas City Board of Public Utilities. "A lot of good ideas came out of that joint exercise between our users and Elster's development team. We're definitely excited to be among the first to receive the improved user interface, as well as get access to the latest functionality."

Version 9.0 also delivers enhancements to EnergyAxis existing multi-utility meter management, enabling utilities with electricity and water or gas meters to more effectively manage two or three utility services through the same head end system. New key performance indicator reports simplify system management, including enhanced single and multi-day read success metrics for electric, as well as gas and water meters (both register and interval). Elster is a leading provider of multi-utility AMI systems in North America.

"Fort Collins Utilities is known for taking a leadership role in adopting new technology and providing the best customer service," said Kraig Bader, Standards Engineering Manager, City of Fort Collins Utilities. "For that reason, we're pleased with the opportunity to test the new and enhanced functionality being offered by Elster in EnergyAxis 9.0."

"This EnergyAxis release once again demonstrates Elster's commitment to our customers by focusing on what concerns them most: reducing total cost of ownership, ease of use, and improving multi-utility services," said Mark Fronmuller, President, Elster Solutions.

About Elster
Elster Solutions delivers complete smart grid and energy management solutions that drive energy efficiency, operational improvements, and cost savings for utilities, commercial and industrial customers, and consumers. Elster uses its speed and agility to drive interoperability and open standards and strategically collaborates with customers and partners.

Its end-to-end electricity, water, and gas offerings include advanced meters/sensors, secure communications, and data collection, management, and analytics. Elster is dedicated to customer success in more than 130 countries through Elster's professional integration services, technical support, and training.