Itron And Ibm Form Collaboration

Itron Inc. and IBM will cooperate in the development of networks that not only read utility meters automatically, but also provide such services as home security and vending machine monitoring.

Itron Treasurer Mima Scarpelli said the Spokane company’s Genesis system, which uses radio signals to transmit readings from meters to central computers, already has been installed at IBM’s Utility Industry Applied Technology Lab in Dallas.

The lab combines Genesis capabilities with others developed by IBM, the largest provider of billing and information systems to the utility industry, she said.

“We’re giving utility executives an idea of the types of things they can do with those systems,” said Scarpelli, adding that the initial response has been overwhelming.

Although the two companies have been working together for several months, she said Monday’s announcement will launch more efforts to combine systems for customer use, and joint marketing efforts.

Kevin Moonan, general manager for IBM Utility Industry Applied Technology, said enhanced services like those possible by combining Itron’s wireless network know how with IBM’s networking expertise should be a boon to utilities as deregulation transforms the industry.

, DataTimes