iDigi(TM) Energy Makes it Fast, Easy, and Inexpensive to Connect Smart Grid
Devices
MINNETONKA, Minn., Mar. 25 /PRNewswire-Asia-AsiaNet/ --
Energy solution bundle includes hardware, hosted software and services
necessary to accelerate Smart Energy deployments
Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII) today introduced iDigi Energy, a wireless M2M
solution bundle optimized for energy services providers. iDigi Energy includes the
hardware, hosted software and services necessary to quickly and easily integrate
meters, load control modules, displays, relays, thermostats and other energy
assets commonly required for demand response, AMI, and other Smart Grid
offerings. Energy service applications connect to the hosted software component
of iDigi Energy via a simple Web Services interface. This dramatically simplifies
developing and deploying energy management services.
"The iDigi Energy solution was instrumental in our launch of the TXU Energy
iThermostatTM energy conservation program," said Patrick James, director, TXU
Energy. "It has enabled us to leverage existing enterprise software service
platforms and ultimately integrate the deploying AMI networks in Texas. We were
able to move from concept to deployment very quickly. The platform's flexibility will
also allow us to rapidly develop and deploy a broad range of new energy
management services to help our customers better manage their energy costs."
"With the rollout of iDigi Energy, we are making it fast, easy and inexpensive for
utilities to enable two-way communications with their home and business
customers," said Joe Dunsmore, CEO, Digi International. "iDigi Energy lowers the
barriers for companies to build robust, next generation information services by
removing the complexities of remote device communication. This frees energy
service providers to focus on the business of energy."
Utilities have long been in the forefront with regards to investments in remote
monitoring technology, originally with SCADA and now with AMI and Smart Grids.
In Aberdeen Group's recent research survey, responding utility organizations
indicate that 36 percent of connected assets are remote versus 27 percent a year
ago. However, these organizations also indicate that 74 percent of its assets
would benefit from remote connectivity.
"This opportunity remains untapped primarily due to perceptions regarding the
complexity and cost of setting up remote networks and the significant IT resource
requirements pertaining to integration, maintenance and security management,"
said Sumair Dutta, senior research analyst, Aberdeen Group. "Comprehensive
M2M solutions such as iDigi Energy that provide the platform and related
connectivity services to seamlessly tie into devices and applications will go a long
way in alleviating implementation hurdles and in expediting ROI."
At the heart of iDigi Energy is the iDigi Platform, a Platform as a Service (PaaS)
that quickly and easily connects remote assets to a customer's applications. The
iDigi Platform runs on a grid of Digi-managed servers. As an on-demand model,
customers pay only for services consumed, conserving capital and requiring no
infrastructure. Customers login to securely access and manage their energy device
assets. Optimized for wireless communication technologies, Digi's patented
connectivity software establishes and manages secure communication between
organizations' applications and their remote equipment, ensuring high availability
and performance for both legacy and emerging energy management applications.
iDigi Energy includes Digi's comprehensive family of wired and wireless
communication products that integrate easily with remote energy assets, including
cellular gateways and a wide variety of wireless endpoint modules. iDigi Energy
also features ready-to-run, energy-focused starter applications that demonstrate
the power of the platform for the energy provider.
"The iDigi Platform has become an integral part of our new Apollo Demand
Response Management System," said Bud Vos, CTO, Comverge. "The Apollo
platform is designed to support traditional demand response systems in addition to
AMI and Smart Grid solutions. The iDigi Platform allows our utility partners to
deploy Smart Grid solutions today with the flexibility of migrating to future networks
as technology develops."
The iDigi Energy system provides device level support for numerous smart
energy devices including thermostats, smart plugs, in-home displays, gateways
and meters. Additional energy assets can be quickly integrated through the iDigi
platform. iDigi Energy also includes device design services and wireless
implementation services such as network design, site surveys, planning and
optimization. From device design and integration to lifecycle services, iDigi Energy
provides all of the communication components an energy services provider needs
to bring their solution to market quickly, effectively and with a plan to support new
energy services.
"We have received tremendous interest in iDigi Energy," added Dunsmore. "We
already have a sizeable new business pipeline and anticipate strong customer
demand for these innovative services."
iDigi Energy is the first of several iDigi solution bundles to be released that make
wireless M2M easy. For more information about iDigi Energy, visit
About Digi International
Digi International is making wireless M2M easy by developing reliable products
and solutions to connect and securely manage local or remote electronic devices
over the network or via the Web. Digi offers the highest levels of performance,
flexibility and quality, and markets its products through a global network of
distributors and resellers, systems integrators and original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs). For more information, visit Digi's Web site at
About Comverge
Comverge (Nasdaq: COMV) is a leading provider of clean energy solutions that
improve grid reliability and supply electric capacity on a more cost effective basis
than conventional alternatives by reducing base load and peak load energy
About TXU Energy
TXU Energy is a market-leading competitive retailer that provides electricity and
related services to more than 2.1 million electricity customers in Texas. TXU
Energy offers a variety of innovative products and solutions, allowing both its
residential and business customers to choose options that best meet their needs,
including exceptional customer service, competitively priced electricity service
plans, innovative energy efficiency options, renewable energy programs and other
on the iThermostat.
All brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies.
Press Contacts:
Kylie Chan
Channel Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific
Digi International
Tel: +852-2833-1008
Fax: +852-2572-9989
Email: kylie.chan@digi.com
SOURCE: Digi International
To view this and other AsiaNet releases please visit
NEWS 
