Badger Meter, Inc.

Challenge

The challenge was to create a wireless technology solution that would allow meter readers to gather readings as efficiently as possible.

Solution

Xorbix Technologies, Inc., provided the complete solution for Badger Meter by developing a state-of-the-art system, called Orion, which incorporated GIS/GPS technology.  The system interfaces with the receiver to gather meter transmitted data and operates as a GPS based navigation system for the drivers reading the meters.

To allow the meters to read automatically, the software runs on a laptop where all the water meters display on a map as icons. As the meter reader drives through the area to gather meter readings,  a receiver attached to the laptop gathers the readings transmitted by the meters.  As each meter is read, the meter icons on the laptop change colors indicating a successful read status.

This complex solution was built in less than 6 months.

Impact

The key deliverables for the Orion system have been:

1. The number of meters that a meter reader could manually read in four (4) days has been reduced to two (2) hours with the new Orion system

2. The management of meter data information by Badger Meter has become more manageable

Badger Meter was given the Governor's award by the state of Wisconsin for the Orion system. News about the Orion system can be viewed on the Badger Meter link provided below. Over 1 million meters have been installed with the Orion system since its development.

http://www.badgermeter.com/Water/AMR/ORION.aspx