New submetering system from Inovonics replaces outdated analog phone connections with secure, hosted and browser-based administration of utility recovery in multi-family housing

LOUISVILLE, CO., June 19, 2013 – Inovonics, the industry leader in high-performance wireless sensor networks for commercial and life safety applications, today announced the release of TapWatch.com and an enhanced version of the RDL8500 Remote Data Logger now with Ethernet connectivity. These combined solutions offer a future-proof submetering system that permits utility cost recovery administration and management through an online service, combating costly installation fees and analog phone line obsolescence.

“Yardi needs to stay ahead of the curve to ensure our clients receive consistent, reliable data and services. One way we achieve this is by establishing relationships with suppliers who share in our vision, such as Inovonics,” said Martin Levkus, general manager and director of client services at YES Energy Management Inc., which provides services for Yardi Energy Solutions™. “We are experiencing the phasing out of Plain Old Telephone Services, or ‘POTS’ lines, which affects much of our older generation submetering systems. Inovonics’ TapWatch.com mitigates our clients’ exposure once these services are phased out and offers more flexibility and improved access to data which is critical in an industry dependent on timely, reliable data.”

TapWatch.com and the enhanced RDL8500 allow RBC’s (Read, Bill and Collect) organizations to utilize a property’s Ethernet infrastructure with the added convenience of browser-based administration and utility meter read retrieval through a secure, stable and reliable hosted service.

“NWP has been looking forward to the launch of Inovonics’ IP-enabled RDL,” said Howard Behr, vice president of NWP Submeter Systems and Services at NWP Services Corporation (NWP). “Two of the greatest challenges in the marketplace are working with multi-family communities to access the legacy systems via analog phone (POTS) lines and getting real-time data to better understand usage, so Internet solutions are critical to the future success of submetering.”

TapWatch.com’s online utility consumption data retrieval is easily accessed for billing administration from any computer with an Internet connection. Additionally, property owners with billing partner permission have visibility to site statistics, streamlined site takeover, one-time read requests and online support. The RDL8500 component offers a secure connection to a managed server and simple field updates for installed RDLs via a USB stick to enable internet access and TapWatch.com connectivity.

“As a longtime partner of Inovonics, Studebaker Submetering, Inc. is looking forward to reaching its many client sites via internet with the launch of TapWatch.com,” said Ringo Lanzetti, managing partner, at Studebaker.

TapWatch.com and the enhanced RDL8500 are designed to provide an incentive to property owners and their residents/tenants to think environmentally within the multi-family housing market by utilizing submetering to capture an individual’s actual consumption and bill accordingly, creating more utility conscious consumers.

“Inovonics is committed to providing easy-to-use, secure solutions that help customers streamline their businesses. The obsolescence of POTS lines creates a need for a solution that utilizes readily available Ethernet connectivity that a customer can leverage for other uses, such as VoIP phone systems and Internet access,” said Mark Jarman, president of Inovonics. “With a hosted utility subscription system, customers can conduct utility meter read retrievals at any time from any computer with Internet access and not be constrained by the reliability or access to POTS lines, putting important business information right at their fingertips.”

About Inovonics
Inovonics is the industry leader in high-performance wireless sensor networks for commercial and life safety applications. Founded in 1986, the company pioneered the use of 900 MHz wireless technology to deliver the most reliable, cost-effective and flexible solutions for critical wireless applications. A leader in security and senior care markets, and the standard for multi-family submetering solutions, the Inovonics family of transmitters, receivers and control modules provides the wireless backbone for many of the world’s most widely used wireless systems. Renowned for exceptional performance and reliability, more than 10 million Inovonics wireless devices have been deployed in the most challenging of commercial environments, where structural limitations and multiple wireless networks can prove disruptive to lower quality systems. Working with leading OEMs and service provider partners, Inovonics provides network design and system engineering support to continuously advance the use of wireless technologies for corporate, industrial, government and educational applications.