IDT launches Advanced Metering Interface (AMI) valve for rural water utilities

New valve for Harmony Water Management System allows utilities to remotely turn water off or on via satellite, increasing revenues by saving time and man-hours

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Informational Data Technologies, LLC (IDT), a provider of satellite AMR/AMI management systems for rural utilities, today announced the launch of the Harmony Valve. The Harmony Valve is a satellite-enabled solenoid valve that lets rural water utilities remotely turn off or on customer’s water supply in the field. The Harmony Valve is controlled using the Internet via a secure login, over a satellite data connection. The Harmony Valve works with the recently launched IDT Harmony Water Management System, a complete water management tool providing daily automatic meter reading (AMR), and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) functions over a satellite network, eliminating the expense and time of alternate methods of meter reading, including field, drive-by, or fixed-radio meter reading. 

Until now, rural water utilities would have to send workers out to any customer’s location to cycle a valve to turn water off or on, resulting in increased costs in time and money, and potentially exposing utility personnel to risk from animal attacks or even threatening users,” says Angelo Polsinelli, executive vice president of IDT. “Now, with the Harmony Valve, utilities can remotely switch customers’ water off or on, from the comfort of the utility’s main office — or virtually anywhere they can access the Internet using a secure login, thereby saving time and money.” 

The Harmony Water Management System consists of two primary parts connected through satellite communications: Harmony Satellite Field Units, an automatic meter reading device, and Harmony Cloud, a Web application. The Harmony Valve is a low-power device that connects to the Harmony Field Unit, eliminating the need for external power. 

Harmony Satellite Field Units are stand-alone, internally powered automatic meter reading devices, with a guaranteed 3,650 daily meter reads, giving an estimated 10-year battery life. Field Units work with a growing variety of major brands of meters. They send data over satellite, so no additional infrastructure is needed: no land, towers, line of sight to a vehicle, fuel usage, base station, or truck maintenance is required. It also offers two-way communication. 

Meter data is accessed and controlled through the Harmony Cloud Water Management System. Harmony Cloud is a Web-based application, so it is available through a standard Internet browser and there is no special software to install. Backup and security for data are handled off site, and using the software is as simple as using many common Web pages. Billing data can be automatically imported to utilities’ existing systems using standard data methods. A Web module offers complete billing functions, simplifying end-to-end customer relationships. 

Additional specifications for Harmony Cloud include:

  • Full two-way communication with the remote readers
  • Daily loss detection through comparison of produced and sold amounts
  • Reports and views by service area/zone
  • Built-in structure allows for service area/zone comparisons
  • Ability to change reading frequency
  • Potential for other remotely operated functions 

Harmony Water Management Systems are available directly from IDT at www.idt.us.com

About Informational Data Technologies
Informational Data Technologies, LLC (IDT), enables rural water, wastewater, and other rural utilities to better manage their utility via access to daily meter readings with the IDT Harmony system. IDT has been formed to fulfill identified needs within the data gathering and delivery marketplace. Our goal is for IDT to become the preferred choice for data delivered. For more information, visit www.idt.us.com.



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