Problem:
Connecting docking cradles for handheld meter reading devices to AMR software in multiple locations
Solution:
This system required excessive drive time for employees, who had to travel to the nearest field office to pick up their handheld devices and upon completion of their route, drive back to return the devices to the docking cradles for upload to a central server. Upload locations were limited to a few field offices because of the amount equipment required for each.
The AMR software provider recommended that this energy company migrate from the serial card solution to a Digi terminal server. Serial-to-Ethernet connectivity would allow docking stations to be distributed in several remote locations that are convenient for the meter readers, rather than connecting all docking cradles at a few regional locations. Now, employees can dock their cradles at the nearest field office at the end of the day, rather than spending valuable time traveling to the central server.
The transition was easy. A PortServer TS 4 MEI (Multi-Electrical Interface) was installed in multiple remote locations. RS-485 multi-drop cabling enabled the customer to connect up to 32 docking cradles per location. PortServer TS 4 MEI communicates over the network to the central server and AMR software, seamlessly transmitting daily meter readings. By leveraging the existing network to Ethernet enable the devices, the energy company eliminated dial-up phone line expenses and server costs, reduced driving time for employees and increased data collection efficiency. Upload stations doubled from fifteen to 30, without adding servers or phone lines.
Now you can...
Easily and cost-effectively migrate from dial-up telephone line-based communication to Ethernet networking.
Solution: