How do we future-proof heat network and private utility network metering systems?
The easiest way has to be to select an open-protocol metering system, which means you are not locked into a single service provider for operation, support and maintenance, including spare parts.
Ideal choices for an open-protocol metering system cover all the Meter Hardware offered by Sycous as we focus on providing only open-protocol metering equipment. This includes manufacturers such as Diehl, ZENNER and B-Meters, meaning you can select your preferred meter for your application and we’re happy to help.
You also need to make decisions about your data collection or PAYG Solution.
A data collection solution can be open-protocol and therefore operated by numerous service providers, without any head-end-system (HES) and associated costs. A perfect example is the Elvaco data collection range, a worldwide leader in data collection technology.
If you prefer the benefits of a PAYG solution, such as minimising your debt risk, solutions such as the Guru Hub II and Secure Liberty 100, offer a ‘transferable-protocol’ which can be moved between service providers for operational services but where the HES cost is still paid to the device manufacturer. This model offers a proven solution with numerous service providers operating the equipment and the benefit of an In-Home Display (IHD) for residents to access their account information. Alternatively, a PAYG Cloud solution such as our Orbit System, can provide ‘open protocol’ PAYG functionality without any perpetual fees or other operational constraints.
It may also be that you future-proof your system with a secondary MBus network, which can be supported by meters such as the Diehl 775 that can offer dual MBus output, benefitting from being connected to both a PAYG system and data collection unit. This means that should you wish to move away from PAYG, or it is no longer supported, you still have a functional system for credit billing, as well as our Orbit System if you wish to retain the functionality of PAYG.
Finally, the future for you might be in IoT networks, where meters form only one part of your infrastructure. This is where sensors, meters and other technologies can be linked to provide numerous use-cases to benefit you as an operators, as well as consumers.
However you decide to future-proof your metering system, our Mabdeck Software and Managed Services provide an ideal solution to enable you to get the most out of the meters, PAYG and data collection hardware you install, whether you want to manage this in-house or prefer us to help.
