Intelligent Meter Reading Solution for Star Instrument

Background
Shenzhen Star Instrument Co., Ltd. has constantly concentrated in developing, manufacturing and selling smart energy meter, water meter, and intelligent data collection system for energy (water and gas) meter, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and electronic testing equipment. Its customers cover China State Grid, China Southern Power Grid, urban and rural utilities, as well as major utilities in over 80 countries and regions across Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe and Latin America etc. The exportation of its smart energy meter series has been ranking the forefront in the industry over the years.
 
Challenges

• A huge number of users and their wide geographical distribution make meter reading a heavy workload.

• There are residential users as well as industrial and commercial users. The diversified working environments require the data capture terminal to be environment- adaptable.

• Traditional manual meter reading is not standardized. Effective supervision and management cannot be achieved.

• Working staff have higher requirement for easier and more convenient operation.

• It needs to read all water, electricity and gas meters, so it requires mobile terminals with high integration performance.

 
Solutions
In response to Star Instrument's demands, Chainway recommend C5000 high- performance handheld computers. It also allows the company to install different meter reading modules according to the actual application demands. This solution brings a substantial increase in efficiency and a great improvement in reading safety.
 
Application Details
 
Intelligent Reading
By using C5000 PDAs to scan the meter, the system can automatically and quickly figure out how much energy had been consumed and how much the user needs to pay. This way effectively avoids wrong manual calculation.
 
On-site Inquiry
If there is an abnormal amount change, meter reader or fee collector can check the detailed information on site by GPRS. Fault can be found in time, which protect benefits of both residents and the company.
 
Data Transmission
All data collected can be transmitted to the backend database via wireless networks or USB cable. It to some degree reduces manual errors during data input. Calculation efficiency has also been improved greatly because all bills are summed up automatically by the computer instead of adding one and another by hand.
 
Effects

• It standardizes workflows of meter reading; eases workers' workload; improves reading efficiency and accuracy.

• Automatic meter reading cuts down manual errors like undercharging or overcharging.

• Users are pleased to see that the time of meter reading has been shortened.

• All data transmitted to the backend system facilitates the follow-up statistics, sum up and billing.

• The perfect integration of handheld terminals and meter reading system has lifted the overall level of intelligent meter reading.

 
PDA Configuration
P/N: C5000
Functions: Wi-Fi, Customized modules