Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : RAMTRONIAN's Cache Inn -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: framtron. who wrote (13089)	4/13/2007 6:12:50 PM
From: NightOwl	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 14464

Another great find Mr. Framtron! As I read the Hearing Officer's decision the "approved" system will include real-time, dual-channel communications from the customer to the utility so odds are their systems will include FRAM IP for electric meters just as PG&E's system did. They may go further and include it in their gas meters, but I'm not sure there: cpuc.ca.gov But bidding on the final system will apparently not be finalized until Q4: sdge.com Its much smaller than the PG&E installation but it will run over a 1.5 million units of RMTR products and should be worth at least 2 million or more in revenues. ESE's subsidiary DCSI, the same OEM on the PG&E electric installation, has even smaller design wins popping up all over the place for their FRAM friendly TWACS meters: menard.com tdworld.com Based on the size of some of these and the kind of analysis set out in the California Hearing Officers recommended decision... I'd have to think that DCSI's TWACS systems are quite competitive in terms of cost/performance. The utilities in St. Louis (ESE/DCSI's home town) installed a cheaper IP based on "Cellnet's" wireless network (cellphone IP) for most gas and electric meters for customers who opted into their programs. They have had major installation and billing problems: ksdk.com Part of the problem is the ease with which the systems can be physically attacked. They are simply plastic plug in boards that can be shocked or tampered with intentionally to alter readings. The talk radio shows out of St. Louis had some real horror stories for months. It certainly didn't do much for Cellnet's prospects for future design wins. Still, I expect they'll be competitive anywhere the regulatory process may be dominated by political considerations other than long term cost/performance service. 0\|0