Zaptronix implements Data Management System and 3Com`s Palm III as a Meter Reading Device

Zaptronix, a third party software developer for 3Com`s Palm Connected Organizers, has implemented its new software on 3Com`s Palm III at numerous sites country-wide, including Mabalane Property Management Services, a local meter reading company. The new system, used for meter reading data collection, is aimed at providing a cost effective and customised solution for the South African market.

Mabalane is currently responsible for 20% of the meter reading for the Eastern Metropolitan Substructure of the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council. John Storom, Mabalane`s managing director, says that a gap was identified 8 months ago, with regard to technological advances in the local metering industry and Zaptronix could provide a solution, so 3Com`s Palm III`s were purchased for meter reading.

"Before Mabalane implemented the Zaptronix system, all meter readings were done manually, which was both unproductive and open to human error," he says. "The new system offers a one-stop service to our clients, as efficient use is now made of available technology, allowing Mabalane to provide an accurate and effective service."

The Palm III Connected Organizer is used as a meter reading device for gas, water and electricity and is connected, through the RemIt! software on Windows NT, to the utility billing system at the council. "The software developed by Zaptronix for meter reading can be customised for each client," says Jens Stratenwerth, Zaptronix Electrical`s general manager. "The interface file for the RemIt! software connecting to the council was specific to Mabalane and so the software was tailored for their needs."

The data is either keyed into the Palm device by the meter reader or is transferred between the Palm device and the meter within households, using an optical port, which is attached to the bottom of the Palm, if this facility is available on the meter. "When capturing readings on-site, information about each meter is also logged, such as whether the meter needs repair," adds Stratenwerth. "Once the data has been captured, it is downloaded directly onto Mabalane`s mainframe computer, eliminating the need for employees to input the information."

He goes on to say that when the software was written, Zaptronix conducted research to determine the most cost-effective system to be implemented. "Existing meter reading systems, such as the MV90, mostly make use of expensive DOS based hand-held systems. 3Com`s Palm III is a quarter of the price of these existing systems."

Mabalane`s Storom explains that the Palm device is flexible and integration with the Zaptronix end to end solutions ensures changes can be made as future trends and technologies alter, resulting in longer lifetime cycles for both systems and applications.

"Mabalane now has the required infrastructure and technologies to stay abreast of future trends and enable it to surpass competition, which still makes use of archaic systems," concludes Storom.