RAMAR Technology Introduces CellTrackIT
AT RAMAR, LLC ("RAMAR"), one of the world's leading designers and suppliers of radio-based automatic meter reading ("AMR") systems, is pleased to introduce CellTrackIT, a flexible and low cost solution for the North American submetering market. CellTrackIT is a wireless, fixed network system designed for residential and commercial submetering environments, such as apartment communities, shopping malls and industrial sites.
A basic CellTrackIT system consists of a CellTrackIT Node, an IBM compatible personal computer and RAMAR's meter interface unit (MIU), TransPondIT. A CellTrackIT Repeater can be implemented on larger sites to expand the transmission range of the system.
Michael Ueland, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, explains the benefits of submetering for the Property Manager, "It means that the financial burden of water and sewer costs is transferred to the residents, therefore reducing property owners' exposure to increases in water utility rates. Additionally, the payback of the cost of submetering is typically less than one year. Therefore, apartment owners can increase their properties' net operating income and thus, increase the loan and resale value of their properties by implementing a submetering system".
RAMAR's CellTrackIT system proves to be cost effective, reliable and flexible. RAMAR achieves an attractive cost per point by designing the CellTrackIT system so that the ratio of repeaters to TransPondITs is lower, therefore decreasing installation time and product cost.
RAMAR's products have been tested in harsh utility settings and have proved durable in both inside and outside installations. CellTrackIT's software is able to effectively identify signal strengths, allowing the whole network to be evaluated over time. Flag messages, such as tamper codes and leak detection, are sent via e-mail to designated individuals who are able to examine and rectify the problem when it occurs.
The RAMAR solution is a completely open system. CellTrackIT's ability to interface easily with other system components, including: meters, billing systems and personal computers means that property owners have more choices when implementing a submetering system.
Cliff MacBroom, President of Commercial Water and Energy, states the advantages that the CellTrackIT system has brought to his company, "CellTrackIT has enabled Commercial Water and Energy to eliminate costly field meter reading trips. All the time wasted driving to and from our meter sites is eliminated, saving time, gas and vehicle wear and tear. Timely e-mailed files have allowed us to notify owners of undetected leaks. In a recent case, daily readings found a 1000-gallon per day loss from a faulty toilet tank valve. The tenant saved money and so did the Landlord. CellTrackIT is a win-win situation".
Since 1995, RAMAR has been exclusively focused on developing AMR systems that meet the needs of the world's leading water, electricity, and gas utilities. Through continuous development, RAMAR has developed a low-cost core RF technology especially designed for AMR applications, including submetering. RAMAR AMR systems are installed at water, gas and electric utilities in over 10 countries worldwide, in places as diverse as Poland, Italy and Malaysia.
For more information on RAMAR and its products, call 1-888-98-RAMAR, or visit our website at www.ramartech.com.