Electricity AMR The People Who Can Make Anything Happen Southwest Gas, who over the last six years has been upgrading its AMR system, recently reported a meter read rate of 99.9 percent, a rate that any meter shop would be proud of. click here for more information Did You Know? GPS Mapping Functionality in MC3 Equipped with GPS mapping, MC3 allows the meter reader to visually confirm which meters have been read and which have not, resulting in reduced drive times. click here for more information 5 Questions: Mark Stallmann and Itron Propagation Services What are Itron propagation services and why might you care? click here for more information

The People Who Can Make Anything Happen
		Southwest Gas, who over the last six years has been upgrading its automatic meter reading (AMR) system, recently reported a meter read rate of 99.9 percent, a statistic that is even more impressive when you take into consideration the nearly 1.2 million meters the company reads on a monthly basis in its Phoenix, Las Vegas and Tucson service areas. Part of this success can be attributed to Itron's 40GB ERT® Modules. The accurate, cost-effective modules are responsible for delivering precise consumption and tamper
detection data from the meters. However, according to Carl Porter, Itron director of product marketing for the gas division, Southwest Gas deserves a great deal of the credit for the recent success. "The people at Southwest Gas are the type who can make anything happen," says Porter. "The read rates we're seeing are a statement not only about the quality of Itron's products, but also about Southwest's commitment to managing its AMR system." The two companies have enjoyed 20 years of collaborating together, and drew on this shared history to achieve this high level of performance. Citing increased efficiencies and better utilization of personnel, the original 2002 contract called for Itron to supply Southwest with 500,000 of the AMR endpoints for its meters. A contract extension was signed in 2006 for approximately 1.2 million additional AMR endpoints for Southwest's meters. Southwest Gas is one of the fastest-growing utilities in the United States, and industry leaders predict the company will add tens of thousands of new customers in the next 10 years. As meters are changed-out or new connections added, new meters that utilize Itron ERT technology are installed, further leveraging the efficiency of its AMR system. "Southwest's dedication to its AMR program is evident in the level of performance they are receiving. Robust solutions are important, but the personnel behind the systems are key," says Porter.

Did you Know? GPS Mapping Functionality in MC3
		MC3 represents the next generation in drive-by data collection for Itron's ChoiceConnect™ suite of data collection solutions. Equipped with GPS mapping, MC3 allows the meter reader to visually confirm which meters have been read and which have not, or if any have a special priority on any given route. This powerful feature minimizes missed reads and consecutive estimates while reducing drive times. The GPS Mapping functionality works by displaying an area map
of the given route with the location of each meter on the route represented by an icon. As the route is driven, the icon of meters that have been read change to indicate a successful read. The icons of meters missed are highlighted, allowing the meter reader to quickly gather those few reads. The mapping view also includes a special display setting which provides better viewing when operating at night. Once the route has been completed and the meter reader has returned to the office the mobile administrator can "play back" the route and identify opportunities to improve meter reading reliability thus reducing drive time and fuel consumption. In addition to the reduced drive times and missed reads associated with GPS mapping functionality, other features of MC3 include: Optional advanced AMR package for electric mobile demand reset Exceptional meter reading performance in small size Short-range wireless capability for route upload/download Simultaneous multiple route-reading capability Reads both "bubble-up" and "wake-up" endpoints Out-of-route read collection to reduce special read visits For more information about GPS functionality in MC3, or its other benefits, please contact Eric Lambert, eric.lambert@itron.com, or visit our website.

5 Questions: Mark Stallmann and Itron Propagation Services
		Q: Why utilize Itron Propagation Services? A: Deploying a fixed network data collection solution can offer needed benefits to a utility over more traditional automated meter reading systems like drive-by meter reading. To successfully deploy a fixed network system requires a thorough understanding into the geography and topology of the given service area to ensure the required communication infrastructure is properly sited. Equipment deployment depends on collection technologies being sited relative
to meter locations to avoid signal loss. AMR communication is based on wireless communication, and many elements such as terrain, vegetation and buildings can cause signal degradation, thereby compromising meter reading performance. Itron system engineering predictions along with field mitigation ensures proper placement of network communication hardware for reliable collection of meter data. Q: How do Itron propagation services work? A: Itron creates a model of the coverage area which is based on the location of the meters, the types of meter devices, and the location of light poles and/or elevated infrastructure for mounting the Cell Control Units (CCUs). To assist with the wireless prediction, Itron procures high resolution radio frequency (RF) clutter and geographic data which identifies path loss elements such as buildings, vegetation, hills, etc., and also classifies the type of area (urban, suburban, remote, etc.). System engineers load the data into a RF prediction tool which helps predict the wireless coverage for the CCUs and endpoints, which make up Itron's fixed network technologies, ChoiceConnect™ for electric or gas service providers, or Water SaveSource™ for water providers. Q: What does the propagation prediction "look" like? A: The system design is actually a scaled map view of endpoints (meters), CCUs and repeaters overlaid with color keyed areas that represent the predicted wireless coverage strength. The maps are based on global information system data. Our custom simulation model takes into account a large number of variables. We use it as a prediction tool to tell us how a combination of CCUs might cover a given area. Q: How reliable are Itron's propagation services? A: Itron delivers 98 percent daily reliability from its sited meters, CCUs and repeaters, and 99 percent reliability every 3 days, or what we consider a billing cycle. Q: What benefits do you see utilities experience from this service? A: Itron designs the position of a CCU for maximum coverage utilizing the least amount of infrastructure. Itron field engineering personnel verify CCU and repeater locations and have specific tools used for mitigating the fixed network. When Itron says a group of meters will work in a given territory, we base that on our expertise and technology that provides a reliable prediction of wireless coverage over the service territory. Mark Stallmann is a research and development manager for Itron, you can e-mail him at mark.stallmann@itron.com with questions.