Combines fixed and cellular networks with proprietary analytical
software in one managed solution.
MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2014--
Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE: BMI) today announced the launch of its new
BEACON Advanced Metering Analytics (AMA) system. The new product
combines both proven fixed and cellular networks with proprietary
analytics software in a managed solution, improving utilities’
visibility of their water consumption and reducing the need for costly
infrastructure. With the release of BEACON AMA, Badger Meter also
becomes the first major water meter company to release a cost-effective
cellular based solution for system-wide deployment.
“With several patents pending, BEACON AMA is built on a powerful and
intuitive software platform and cellular network technology we acquired
from Aquacue, Inc. when we purchased the company in April 2013. Now a
fully integrated part of the company, the software engineers at the
Badger Meter Innovation Center – Silicon Valley have a wealth of
experience in software and technology design not typical of most
metering companies,” said Richard A. Meeusen, chairman, president and
chief executive officer of Badger Meter.
“An innovative new product that combines ORION® Cellular
endpoints with fixed network endpoints and gateways, BEACON AMA reduces
the need to build and maintain infrastructure. It gives utilities
greater control and more information to better manage their operations
and enhance customer service,” said Meeusen.
BEACON AMA enables two-way communication between the water meter and the
meter reading system. The secure, hosted software suite includes a
customizable dashboard, the ability to establish alerts for specific
conditions, and consumer engagement tools that allow end water customers
to view and manage their water usage activity. Benefits to the utility
include faster leak detection, easier revenue management, the ability to
quantify the effects of its water conservation efforts, easier
compliance reporting, and improved customer service.
Meeusen said BEACON AMA will be offered as a managed solution that
includes hosted software with regular updates, fixed network and/or
cellular endpoints and long-term system maintenance. Badger Meter will
supply endpoints with the latest communication technology through its
managed upgrade program, helping utilities to manage the risks
associated with changing communications technology.
“Utility managers across the country have told us that while they are
experts at running their water utilities, they aren’t as comfortable
with communications network infrastructure, and software, which are
continually evolving. BEACON AMA is a simple and innovative approach
that frees up utility managers to focus on operating the utility, while
we maintain the software and the fixed network,” said Meeusen.
“BEACON AMA responds to a need in the market. It enables water utilities
to obtain information and analytics for proactive management and
decision making, without the time and expense of managing their own
fixed network system. With our comprehensive line of water meters and
metering solutions, we are well positioned to work with water utilities
across the country, regardless of size and geographic location,” added
Meeusen.
About Badger Meter
An innovator in flow measurement and control products, Badger Meter
serves water utilities, municipalities and commercial and industrial
customers worldwide. Measuring water, oil, chemicals, and other fluids,
Badger Meter products are known for accuracy, long-lasting durability
and for providing valuable and timely measurement data. For more
information, visit www.badgermeter.com.
Certain statements contained in this News Release, as well as other
information provided from time to time by Badger Meter, Inc. (the
“Company”) or its employees, may contain forward looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. The
words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “think,” “should,”
“could” and “objective” or similar expressions are intended to identify
forward looking statements. All such forward looking statements are
based on the Company’s then current views and assumptions and involve
risks and uncertainties. Some risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in
forward looking statements include those described in Item 1A of the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2012 that include, among other things:
-
the continued shift in the Company’s business from lower cost,
manually read meters toward more expensive, value-added automatic
meter reading (AMR) systems, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)
systems and advanced metering analytics (AMA) systems that offer more
comprehensive solutions to customers’ metering needs;
-
the success or failure of newer Company products;
-
changes in competitive pricing and bids in both the domestic and
foreign marketplaces, and particularly in continued intense price
competition on government bid contracts for lower cost, manually read
meters;
-
the actions (or lack thereof) of the Company’s competitors;
-
changes in the Company’s relationships with its alliance partners,
primarily its alliance partners that provide radio solutions, and
particularly those that sell products that do or may compete with the
Company’s products;
-
changes in the general health of the United States and foreign
economies, including to some extent such things as the length and
severity of global economic downturns, the ability of municipal water
utility customers to authorize and finance purchases of the Company’s
products, the Company’s ability to obtain financing, housing starts in
the United States, and overall industrial activity;
-
unusual weather and other natural phenomena, including related
economic and other ancillary effects of any such events;
-
the timing and impact of government programs to stimulate national
and global economies;
-
changes in the cost and/or availability of needed raw materials and
parts, such as volatility in the cost of brass castings as a result of
fluctuations in commodity prices, particularly for copper and scrap
metal at the supplier level, foreign-sourced electronic components as
a result of currency exchange fluctuations and/or lead times, and
plastic resin as a result of changes in petroleum and natural gas
prices;
-
the Company’s expanded role as a prime contractor for providing
complete connectivity systems to governmental entities, which brings
with it added risks, including but not limited to, the Company’s
responsibility for subcontractor performance, additional costs and
expenses if the Company and its subcontractors fail to meet the
timetable agreed to with the governmental entity, and the Company’s
expanded warranty and performance obligations;
-
the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses
or products;
-
changes in foreign economic conditions, particularly currency
fluctuations in the United States dollar, the Euro and the Mexican
peso;
-
the loss of certain single-source suppliers; and
-
changes in laws and regulations, particularly laws dealing with the
use of lead (which can be used in the manufacture of certain meters
incorporating brass housings) and the United States Federal
Communications Commission rules affecting the use and/or licensing of
radio frequencies necessary for radio products.
All of these factors are beyond the Company’s control to varying
degrees. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are
urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward
looking statements contained in this News Release and are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements. The
forward looking statements made in this document are made only as of the
date of this document and the Company assumes no obligation, and
disclaims any obligation, to update any such forward looking statements
to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Badger Meter company news is available
24 hours a day, on-line
at: http://www.badgermeter.com.
Source: Badger Meter, Inc.
Badger Meter, Inc.
Joan C. Zimmer, (414) 371-5702