SAN JOSE, Calif., June 17, 2003 -- Frost & Sullivan on Sunday named Master Meter as recipient of the 2003 Product Quality Leadership Award in the automatic meter reading (AMR) market.
In a recent study entitled "North American Automatic Meter Reading Markets," Frost & Sullivan found that Master Meter's third generation product, Dialog 3G, has revolutionized the water AMR market segment.
Dialog 3G, a wireless system fully integrated into the register of a water meter, offers utilities an alternative mobile radio frequency (RF) AMR system with unique features that simplifies both the meter installation and reading process.
Dialog 3G's design is well suited for the pit environment that is common for water meters. Master Meter manufactures the system as one permanently sealed unit housed in glass and stainless steel with the RF transceiver inside the standard register, preventing moisture from damaging the AMR meter module and eliminating the need for external connections.
Utilities have indicated that the performance of some AMR systems has been good at first but degrades over time. This degradation in performance has not been observed in Master Meter's products, which utilities attribute to the high quality design and manufacturing process.
In addition to the wireless hookup, to further ease the installation process, Master Meter pre-programs the meter modules at the factory, an advantageous process since the programming devices for AMR meter modules are extremely intolerant of errors. Another feature automatically turns on the 3G's transceiver after the initial passage of water.
"The water utilities are anything but quiet about Master Meter's new system," says Patti Harper-Slaboszewicz, Frost & Sullivan industry analyst. "Dialog 3G is being discussed at water utility association meetings as the elite system without an elite price."
The Frost & Sullivan Product Quality Leadership Award is presented to the company that has demonstrated superior quality control over their competitors in product manufacturing. The recipient's business practices lead to high levels of customer satisfaction, repeat buying behavior, and assurance of long-term market survival.
About Master Meter
Incorporated in Texas in 1970, Master Meter is one of America's few full line water meter manufacturers. Headquartered in Fort Worth with its manufacturing base in Longview, Master Meter provides residential water meters, commercial meters and large meters for the Utility, Submetering and Industrial flow measurement markets. Master Meter markets ancillary products for the same markets such as on-site meter reading, automatic meter reading (AMR), data collection devices and meter billing software. Recently, Master Meter has introduced new meters and reading equipment that are clearly at the leading edge of technology, such as new micro-miniature technology incorporated in the DIALOG 3G register. For further information, visit www.mastermeter.com .
About Frost & Sullivan
Founded in 1961, Frost & Sullivan, a provider in growth consulting, presents Market Engineering Awards to companies that demonstrate excellence in their industry, commending the diligence and innovative business strategies required to advance in the global marketplace. Frost & Sullivan rigorously analyzes specific criteria to determine Market Engineering Award recipients in a vast variety of market industries and landscapes. For further information, visit www.frost.com .
