
	May 2008

Itron Re-Brands Water Fixed Network Solution as Water SaveSource™

Since the introduction of Itron WFN over three years ago, the water marketplace has changed. Concerns over water supplies are making headlines while demand for water continues to increase. Water providers are looking to advanced metering and monitoring technologies designed to help sustain vital water resources.

Coupling this changing market with the increased functionality of

our water fixed network solution clarified that a new name and brand were needed for WFN. A brand was needed that reflected the new challenges in the marketplace, to focus on effective and efficient management of water delivery and consumption.

We are pleased to announce the new brand, Water SaveSource.

With Water SaveSource, our advanced metering solution is about conservation and cost savings. Water SaveSource enables water providers to manage customer consumption behavior and control water losses in the distribution system to save water and reduce expenses. It also allows for a proactive approach to in-home leak detection for improved customer service. Conservation is becoming conventional wisdom and stakeholders look to their utilities to set an example as better stewards over the resources they manage. This is what Water SaveSource offers.

To better address current and future challenges water providers face, the following capabilities were added to Water SaveSource:

Soundpoint - the merging of the network water endpoint and acoustic sensor technology combines accurate meter data collection and leak detection for the distribution system into a compact form factor. This reduces communications infrastructure for easier deployments and lower cost of ownership. Available late this year.

The Water SaveSource Software Suite offers advanced network administration and data trending and comparative reports for improved customer service and water use management capabilities.

Two-way communications from the utility head-end to the endpoints support on-request reads, time interval adjustments for data collection, accurate endpoint clock synchronization and future capabilities.

The SaveSource family of products has also been renamed:

Water SaveSource

SaveSource Endpoint

The 1.4 GHz meter endpoint, formerly known as 200W

SaveSource Soundpoint

This is under development, available later this year

SaveSource Collector

Communication device between the endpoint and utility, formerly called CCU 5.1

SaveSource Programmer

This programs the Endpoint during deployment, formerly the ETX-1430.

SaveSource Software Suite

Network Administrator - This software manages the network operations and data collection, formerly FNAS.

Customer Care - The application runs comparative and trending reports, formerly known as WFNCC

IEE Customer Analytics - This is a robust meter data management application, known as MDM

The SaveSource brand is currently being introduced to the marketplace. It is being used in a new advertising campaign culminating with a brand launch at the 2008 AWWA ACE conference, June 8-11.

Itron to Participate at AWWA Conference, June 8-11

Itron is pleased to be participating in American Water Works Association's Annual Conference and Exposition, June 8-12 in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference is the largest in North American dedicated to water issues, with over 10,000 attendees.

Faced with the growing challenges associated with delivering a reliable source of clean water, water providers are turning to new ways of thinking and new technologies like never before. The

AWWA ACE conference is a great source of knowledge for water providers and Itron is looking forward to offering its expertise in automatic meter reading (AMR), water loss management and advanced metering technologies.

Itron will be showcasing its broad line of AMR solutions in booth number #1817. In particular, it will be launching the new brand for our advanced metering solution, Water SaveSource™. Along with the Water SaveSource launch, Itron will be introducing Water SaveSource Soundpoint. Soundpoint is a meter data collection and advanced acoustic leak sensor combined into a compact form factor. It is scheduled for availability Q4 of 2008.

Itron will be participating in a product information forum. Our presentation will be "Water SaveSource — Advanced Metering" and will be presented by Brian Fiut, senior product manager. The presentation will be on Monday, June 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 12:40 pm, located in Exhibit Hall B4 at the end of aisle 2300.

Itron is also pleased to be co-presenting an educational session with Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD). The session titled "Advanced Metering: What Does It Mean for Detroit Water and Sewerage Department," will be presented by Rodney T. Johnson, manager of meter operations for DWSD and Brian Fiut, senior product manager for Itron. This session is on Wednesday, June 11 from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. The room number is still yet to be determined, please check with the final show schedule.

This year's AWWA ACE conference should be a worthwhile event, offering insights into advanced water technologies and shared experiences from your peers. Itron is excited about being a part of the conference and hopes to see you there.

Stop by and say hello — booth #1817.

It Pays to Ask the Experts: A Buyer's Guide to Mobile AMR Solutions

Whether you need to improve meter reading efficiencies or you're seeking a more reliable way to reduce meter reading costs, mobile automated meter reading (AMR) may be just the answer you've been looking for. The convenience, timesaving and cost saving features of this technology have arguably had one of the biggest impacts on the way utilities do business. As such, few purchases in the utility realm carry so much weight and offer so much selection. With over 20 years experience in defining and refining mobile collection technology, Itron is providing you with these helpful shopping tips.

Ease-of-use
When comparing mobile AMR solutions look for technology that is portable and lightweight, making it easy to transport. Color touch screens can make units easy to read in varying light. Another feature you don't want to pass up is voice activation, which allows for faster reads and processing.

Durability
Look for a solution with a ruggedized design. This will ensure that your mobile collection equipment remains reliable through the harshest of environments.

Flexibility
If possible, your mobile AMR solution should be able to utilize multiple tones for waking up a variety of endpoints for reading. This eliminates the need to create special routes, which can be a cumbersome task to manage.

Functionality
Your mobile system should allow for mapping, which not only supports greater driving efficiency, but protects the safety of your readers. GPS playback is another great feature for optimizing drive routes. One additional feature to look for—out-of-route reading. It can help your utility to eliminate future move out requests while further supporting route optimization.

Also, don't forget to take into account the unique features specific to your organization. If you are a smaller utility, or are just looking to pilot the operational benefits of AMR, a combination drive-by and walk-by system might be ideal, such as the Mobile Collector Lite from Itron. This is especially relevant in an area with mixed read methods such as needing to manually collect load profile or time-of-use (TOU) data via optical probing or water touch pads that need reading. Take into account how well your meter readers understand their mobile reading routes. High or seasonal turnover may result in drivers not understanding the service territory and may require a more comprehensive mobile AMR system.

If your daily work is focused on optimized or fully-deployed AMR and advanced AMR routes, you may be in need of a more robust mobile collection system, like the MC3. Especially if you need to evaluate out-of-route and route reads for future routing purposes. Do you have a number of high-density areas, as well as areas with difficult-to-access meters? These are important considerations. Also, before purchasing, determine your need for mobile demand reset and utilization of mobile TOU registers. Finally, consider the impact of mobile mapping and GPS playback benefits to your operation and employees.

Interested in learning more? For further information about purchase of a mobile AMR solution, click here to e-mail us.

The Next Wave: Hosting Services for Water Utilities

Increases in operational demands are making fixed network systems like Itron's Water SaveSource™ more compelling to water providers. With network collection systems comes more consumption and interval data than ever before. Utilizing all the data is critical to maximizing a network, but managing all that information can tax a utility's IT capabilities. But we've got a solution.

Itron's water hosting service provides utilities with easy access

and analysis to their network data through a familiar Internet browser within minutes of being collected. Water utilities can then use that detailed data to generate bills, perform usage analysis, monitor environmental compliance and more.

With Itron's water hosting service, water utilities get all the power of a complex computer infrastructure without the headaches. The service minimizes capital and resource outlays, makes the most of a fixed network's capabilities, and affords experienced and certified staff, all while delivering more predictable control over IT costs.

So how does it work? Once the network collects the reads from the endpoints, up to hourly, it sends the data wirelessly to a server in Itron's data center. Then the data can be accessed through a password-protected user interface by the utility. A utility's meter data is efficiently collected and securely stored in one place and is readily available at a moment's notice, 24 hours a day.

Further, the service frees executives to concentrate on long-range planning and business strategy rather than operational details.

Find out more by clicking here.