MELBOURNE, Fla., July 9, 2002 -- Metretek Inc., a subsidiary of Metretek Technologies Inc., announced that it has developed a new wireless hardware and software enhancement to its AMR system that offers the potential for significant cost and performance advantages over existing remote data-collection systems.
Currently in beta test, the system components are expected to be available to commercial and industrial energy companies and users in the third quarter of 2002.
Employing the latest in wireless GPRS (general packet radio service) technology, the enhancement - which eliminates the need for a dial-up modem connection - complements Metretek's existing DC2000 software package and will facilitate immediate global access to AMR-generated data.
In a recent test, Metretek Florida used a GPRS/GSM network operated by a major cellular carrier to successfully transfer via the Internet a continuous flow of real-time data from an AMR located in Florida to its DC2000 data collection server in the United Kingdom.
According to Joseph L. Harley, vice president of Metretek Florida, GPRS/GSM cellular packet data service is already widely deployed by GSM ("global system for mobile" communications) cellular carriers throughout the world and represents the state-of-the-art in wireless Internet access. "To our knowledge, Metretek is the first AMR system supplier to successfully utilize this technology. In offering high-speed, low-cost data transfer, it will, we believe, bring a very attractive value proposition to our worldwide customer base, not only for the upgrade and expansion of their existing Metretek systems, but for application to their legacy and future telemetry needs as well," said Harley.
Metretek Technologies, Inc., through its subsidiaries - Metretek, Incorporated; Southern Flow Companies, Inc.; and PowerSecure, Inc. - is a diversified provider of energy measurement products, services and data-management systems to industrial and commercial users and suppliers of natural gas and electricity. Additional information about Metretek, Incorporated's products and services can be found at www.metretekfl.com.
