Meters, Automatic Meter Reading(AMR), and Advanced Metering Infrastructure(AMI)

AMR is a system and process used to remotely collect water meter data without the physical presence of personnel at the reading point. The system can be configured to read multiple meters at exactly the same point in time such as midnight or at the end of every month. Automatic Meter Readers (AMR) also known as SMART Meters afford suppliers with a cost effective solution to meter reading. Automatic meter readers use a real time wireless communication network to connect digital water meters with a central management system. Digital water meters leverage on ultrasonic measurement technology to provide precise meter readings. ARM will makes more efficient the water management, by lowering costs by optimizing maintenance interventions and lowering reading operations, and raising the overall quality of the water management service. An effective AMR system can only work if the water meter has a pulse out where a radio transmitter will be attached to it. Multiple meter readings will then be transmitted to a device called the repeater. Using GPRS the readings will be transmitted to a server. The data can then be obtained from the server for use.
 AMR devices incorporate smart image recognition technology (OCR – Optical Character Recognition), BPL (Broadband Power line) as well as PLC (Power line Communications) technologies. Wireless communication must also be integrated.

The Benefits of AMRs
Significant improvement of the reading quality; Enhanced billing accuracy; Low running and operating costs; Low maintenances and troubleshooting; Increased revenue; Breakdown and failures identifications within the piping network; Pressure management; Leakage analysis; Improve customer services; Water quality monitoring; Accurate Supply Billing - supplier invoices should ultimately be based on actual meter reads; Cost optimization through more effective tariff management.