Municipal Area Networks (MANs) are proving to be the ideal vehicle to deliver the benefits of city-wide Automated Meter Reading/ Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMR/AMI) applications. The latest digital water, electricity and gas meter systems can be readily integrated with these broadband municipal networks.

Utility companies are finally able to economically read meters multiple times per day instead of being restricted to monthly manual or drive-by methods. The results are time and cost savings, improved customer service and more environmentally friendly use of precious resources.

Conservation - Customers can monitor their usage at any time, helping conservation efforts. Immediate detection of leaks, faulty thermostats or other malfunctions allows corrective action to be quickly taken. Two-way connectivity allows remote switching or adjustment of customer premises equipment.

Lower operating costs - Fewer personnel are required in the field, lowering transportation, insurance, and medical costs. Detailed, timely data uncovers problems quickly and reduces fraud.

Improved customer service and satisfaction - Utilities can pinpoint system problems - leaks or outages - before customers report them, reducing downtime. The results are fewer customer complaints and greater billing accuracy, eliminating estimated bills and unpleasant surprises.

Technology Partners has selected wireless technology from Tropos Networks to deliver ubiquitous, high-speed wireless broadband coverage for entire utility areas. With over 500 customers in 30 countries, Tropos is the world-wide market leader in municipal-scale wireless mesh networking. These networks are used for real time meter data collection, but also prove invaluable as a despatch and reporting infrastructure for mobile utility maintenance crews and inspectors.

AMR/AMI systems invariably show demonstrable return on investment, world-wide. Examples include:

	Corpus Christi, Texas expects to save $30 million over the next 20 years with their AMR system for gas and water
	Anderson, Indiana expects to save $18 million over the next 15 years with their AMR/AMI system

Please contact us for more information.