Tantalus Systems extends licence agreement with Itron

Executive Summary

• Tantalus Systems Holding Inc. has extended its license agreement with Itron Inc. to maintain full compatibility with Itron’s Encoder Receiver Transmitter (ERT) technology across Tantalus's TruConnect AMI platform.
• The agreement allows Tantalus to read legacy AMR and AMI systems, including Advanced SCM+ messaging and Network Interval Messaging (NIM), enabling utilities to modernize infrastructure without stranding existing capital investments.
• This exclusive licensing ensures utilities can maintain Itron warranties and preserve asset value while transitioning to a data-centric, fixed-network AMI platform.

Key Details

• Agreement Type: Extension of license agreement between Tantalus Systems Holding Inc. and Itron Inc.
• Core Technology: Full Encoder Receiver Transmitter (ERT) compatibility for the TruConnect AMI platform.
• Specific Capabilities Enabled:
  • Access to Advanced SCM+ messaging for enhanced consumption analysis, customer presentment, and distribution optimization (e.g., loss and leak detection).
  • Access to Network Interval Messaging (NIM) for hourly aligned interval readings and tamper notifications from Itron 100 series-enabled water and gas meters.
  • Seamless import of ERT reads from mobile and fixed networks into utility billing systems via integration with Itron’s Field Collection System (FCS).
• Supported Devices: Itron 60, 100, R300, R400, and 500 series electric, water, and gas ERTs; bridge meters; and Intelis gas meters.
• Strategic Benefit: Allows utilities to transition from basic mobile meter reading to a modern, data-centric platform while extending the life of existing ERT investments and maintaining vendor warranties.
• Technical Foundation: Supported by Tantalus’s proprietary communications silicon, firmware, and protocol-processing technologies designed for scale and message complexity.

Notable Quotes

• "Extending this licence agreement reflects the shared commitment between Tantalus and Itron to support utilities' evolving needs for interoperability, efficiency and financial flexibility," said Peter Londa, president and chief executive officer of Tantalus. "Across North America, utilities are navigating how to modernize aging infrastructure while managing cost constraints and changing expectations from customers, state officials and regulators. By accessing the complete ERT message across Tantalus's TruConnect AMI offering, we are helping utilities unlock greater operational intelligence at lower risk and lower overall cost with a data-centric approach to AMI."