Every communications network invented to date falls short of the needs of device networking, and they falter on functionality, physics, complexity or cost – every time. Device networking, also called machine-to-machine (M2M) networking, is the critical solution for metering, because even the smallest project involves hundreds of devices, and the dollars and cents return on networking that device is very small.
Even with millions of meters and devices that comprise the largest utilities, the value of each networked device remains the same as it does for a submetered apartment complex. Cellular based device networks falter on cost effectiveness for full system deployment, and traditional IP networks with all their proclaimed automation, are the result of layers of behind-the-scenes human management, incurring unneeded complexity and cost when applied to meter networking without the benefits of a self-configuring AMI.
Eka Systems has spent years developing a wireless mesh architecture that passes many tests that traditional networks fail. EkaNet™ Smart Networks are deployed in widely varying geographies and topologies, automatically manage high volume two-way data traffic, and provide comprehensive security throughout the entire network. They scale by design from thousands to hundreds-of-thousands of endpoints without intervention or hierarchy. They self-configure and automate network management on multiple layers to assure delivery of all usage, network and application data, and will support future applications – all at a price that works.
Why choose Eka
After years of debate, studies, and pilots, EkaNet™ mesh technology has proven itself to be a superior performing and extremely economical and robust solution for intelligent meter networking in both large and small deployments.
Scalability and interoperability are the architectural foundations of the EkaNet™ solution, achieved through reliance on a network that is truly self-organizing at all levels. EkaNet™ Smart Networks have no inherent limitation on its ability to scale while intuitively self-forming with zero-touch configuration and installation of Nodes, Gateways, and Relays. Innovative routing algorithms, secure transactions, knowledge of the best performing links, across-the-network reach, and conservation of network resources are some of the significant differentiating characteristics that make EkaNet™ the leading Smart Grid solution.
EkaNet™ Smart Networking is the ideal platform for delivering new customer services, enhanced business applications, and value-added Smart Grid capabilities – all designed to reduce traditional IT costs while improving operational efficiencies. Successfully operating in widely varying topologies for years, EkaNet™ Smart Networks have been deployed around the world and delivered compelling return-on-investments.
What we do
At Eka Systems, we are focused on delivering the most reliable, scalable, and highly secure AMI network platform – the EkaNet™ Smart AMI Network solution for electric, water, and gas metering. Eka Systems is helping utilities around the world to confront energy management challenges while building the platform needed to deliver future energy services consumers are starting to demand.
A sampling of the network services and benefits are given below.
With its uniquely scalable and proven mesh radio architecture for AMI networking, Eka’s patented self-segmenting technology ensures that there are no inherent limitations on scalability. Because it is self-configuring, self-organizing and self-surveying, the EkaNet™ Smart AMI Network can be deployed with minimal personnel resources and reduces maintenances and reconfiguration costs over the life of the network, thereby maximizing the overall return on investment.
Through enhanced billing, rapid fault recovery and detailed data generation for energy planning, Eka Systems’ products and solutions significantly enhance the customer experience and allow utilities to remain agile in meeting the evolving needs of their customer. And with EkaNet™ Smart Networks ability to proactively detect and report outages, utilities can assure faster service recovery, reduce revenue loss, and improve customer service.
With EkaNet™, utilities can take advantage of non-stop billing data and tools like remote service disconnects, usage monitoring and tamper alarms to reduce truck rolls and enhance revenues. Looking ahead, the open standards-based architecture and inherent scalability of Eka’s AMI infrastructure means utilities are well positioned to take advantage of next-generation revenue streams.
With the ability to scale to hundreds of thousands of meters, EkaNet™ serves as the foundation for the automatic management of a utility’s entire infrastructure. Meters are enabled to select the optimal link to the billing systems and thereby assure transport of interval meter data across the network is fast and efficient.