Badger Meter Introduces BEACON Advanced Metering Analytics

Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE: BMI) today announced the launch of its new BEACON Advanced Metering Analytics (AMA) system. The new product combines both proven fixed and cellular networks with proprietary analytics software in a managed solution, improving utilities’ visibility of their water consumption and reducing the need for costly infrastructure. With the release of BEACON AMA, Badger Meter also becomes the first major water meter company to release a cost-effective cellular based solution for system-wide deployment.

“With several patents pending, BEACON AMA is built on a powerful and intuitive software platform and cellular network technology we acquired from Aquacue, Inc. when we purchased the company in April 2013. Now a fully integrated part of the company, the software engineers at the Badger Meter Innovation Center – Silicon Valley have a wealth of experience in software and technology design not typical of most metering companies,” said Richard A. Meeusen, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Badger Meter.

“An innovative new product that combines ORION® Cellular endpoints with fixed network endpoints and gateways, BEACON AMA reduces the need to build and maintain infrastructure. It gives utilities greater control and more information to better manage their operations and enhance customer service,” said Meeusen.

BEACON AMA enables two-way communication between the water meter and the meter reading system. The secure, hosted software suite includes a customizable dashboard, the ability to establish alerts for specific conditions, and consumer engagement tools that allow end water customers to view and manage their water usage activity. Benefits to the utility include faster leak detection, easier revenue management, the ability to quantify the effects of its water conservation efforts, easier compliance reporting, and improved customer service.

Meeusen said BEACON AMA will be offered as a managed solution that includes hosted software with regular updates, fixed network and/or cellular endpoints and long-term system maintenance. Badger Meter will supply endpoints with the latest communication technology through its managed upgrade program, helping utilities to manage the risks associated with changing communications technology.

“Utility managers across the country have told us that while they are experts at running their water utilities, they aren’t as comfortable with communications network infrastructure, and software, which are continually evolving. BEACON AMA is a simple and innovative approach that frees up utility managers to focus on operating the utility, while we maintain the software and the fixed network,” said Meeusen.

“BEACON AMA responds to a need in the market. It enables water utilities to obtain information and analytics for proactive management and decision making, without the time and expense of managing their own fixed network system. With our comprehensive line of water meters and metering solutions, we are well positioned to work with water utilities across the country, regardless of size and geographic location,” added Meeusen.

About Badger Meter

An innovator in flow measurement and control products, Badger Meter serves water utilities, municipalities and commercial and industrial customers worldwide. Measuring water, oil, chemicals, and other fluids, Badger Meter products are known for accuracy, long-lasting durability and for providing valuable and timely measurement data. For more information, visit www.badgermeter.com.

Certain statements contained in this News Release, as well as other information provided from time to time by Badger Meter, Inc. (the “Company”) or its employees, may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “think,” “should,” “could” and “objective” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. All such forward looking statements are based on the Company’s then current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Some risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward looking statements include those described in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 that include, among other things:

• the continued shift in the Company’s business from lower cost, manually read meters toward more expensive, value-added automatic meter reading (AMR) systems, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems and advanced metering analytics (AMA) systems that offer more comprehensive solutions to customers’ metering needs;

• the success or failure of newer Company products;
• changes in competitive pricing and bids in both the domestic and foreign marketplaces, and particularly in continued intense price competition on government bid contracts for lower cost, manually read meters;
• the actions (or lack thereof) of the Company’s competitors;
• changes in the Company’s relationships with its alliance partners, primarily its alliance partners that provide radio solutions, and particularly those that sell products that do or may compete with the Company’s products;
• changes in the general health of the United States and foreign economies, including to some extent such things as the length and severity of global economic downturns, the ability of municipal water utility customers to authorize and finance purchases of the Company’s products, the Company’s ability to obtain financing, housing starts in the United States, and overall industrial activity;
• unusual weather and other natural phenomena, including related economic and other ancillary effects of any such events;
• the timing and impact of government programs to stimulate national and global economies;
• changes in the cost and/or availability of needed raw materials and parts, such as volatility in the cost of brass castings as a result of fluctuations in commodity prices, particularly for copper and scrap metal at the supplier level, foreign-sourced electronic components as a result of currency exchange fluctuations and/or lead times, and plastic resin as a result of changes in petroleum and natural gas prices;
• the Company’s expanded role as a prime contractor for providing complete connectivity systems to governmental entities, which brings with it added risks, including but not limited to, the Company’s responsibility for subcontractor performance, additional costs and expenses if the Company and its subcontractors fail to meet the timetable agreed to with the governmental entity, and the Company’s expanded warranty and performance obligations;
• the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses or products;
• changes in foreign economic conditions, particularly currency fluctuations in the United States dollar, the Euro and the Mexican peso;
• the loss of certain single-source suppliers; and
• changes in laws and regulations, particularly laws dealing with the use of lead (which can be used in the manufacture of certain meters incorporating brass housings) and the United States Federal Communications Commission rules affecting the use and/or licensing of radio frequencies necessary for radio products.

All of these factors are beyond the Company’s control to varying degrees. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward looking statements contained in this News Release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements. The forward looking statements made in this document are made only as of the date of this document and the Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update any such forward looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Badger Meter company news is available
24 hours a day, on-line at: http://www.badgermeter.com.