Wireless hardware manufacturer Sierra Wireless (TSX:SW) said Friday it will provide the key cellular connection for a wireless data collection system allowing utility customers to manage their energy and water consumption.
The Vancouver-based company said Itron Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI), a Washington-based company that supplies technology to support thousands of utilities worldwide, would implement Sierra’s trademark AirLink Raven X and Raven XE Intelligent M2M Gateways as a part of its new CCU 100, a crucial component of its ChoiceConnect fixed network platform.
ChoiceConnect is a scalable technology that collects data about a utility customer’s electric, gas and water consumption.
The system allows two-way communication, on-demand meter reads and in-home displays that integrate energy data to provide both utilities and customers access to usage information.
Sierra’s AirLink technology gives Itron the ability to offer a wireless version of its technology that can be transmitted over public cellular networks, which eliminates the need for landline telephone installation and reduces deployment time and costs.
“With this integrated solution, Itron utility customers can monitor energy and water usage in real time for improved operations,” said Justin Schmid, Sierra’s vice-president of marketing and business development. “With the AirLink technology, Itron can deploy and manage the CCU 100 anywhere there is cellular coverage, thus simplifying and accelerating deployment.”
Sierra did not reveal the financial terms of the deal, and could not be reached for comment by press time.
Both companies have also signed on to a joint marketing agreement to co-market the technology to utility customers.
Business in Vancouver last caught up with Sierra in February after the company cut 10% of its employees in B.C. due to a decline in sales (See “Tech sector reduced headcount by 6% in 2009, but new talent crunch looms” – issue 1059, February 9 to 15).
Sierra’s share value was down $0.06 to $11.80 at press time.