Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland
August 11, 2008

Platinum Partner Hexagram Inc. Now Aclara RF Systems Inc.

By Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland

Hexagram, Inc., an ESCO Technologies Inc. company located in Cleveland (OH) and a proud Platinum Partner with The U.S. Conference of Mayors, recently branded itself as Aclara RF Systems Inc. A Clean Tech company, Aclara RF Systems Inc. is a subsidiary of ESCO Technologies Inc., headquartered in St. Louis (MO) and is one of the largest suppliers of fixed-network automated meter reading solutions to water utilities in the United States. It provides instantaneous system-wide information about the water system, including proactive leak detection, at affordable prices.

Defined, Aclara means to explain and clarify information, to make things simple and understandable, to collect data, and to turn it into knowledge. Aclara, as a brand, exemplifies the thought leadership necessary to deploy fully enabled AMI and MDM communication systems to municipal utilities.

With its STAR® Network system, Aclara RF Systems Inc. provides the ultimate in network technology and data management, offering metering systems that provide value beyond billing. Studies by the American Water Works Association show that the top 25 US cities experience an average of 23 percent water loss overall, not as a result of operational or management break-down, but because of a lack of data. Utility directors cannot act on what they don’t know.

Aclara’s STAR® Network system provides the access to data that municipal utilities require to properly plan and to proactively manage the water system and ensure revenue protection and loss prevention. Without the data provided by the STAR® Network system, utility directors can do little more than react.

The expertise in utility data collection and management that Aclara RF Systems Inc. offers appreciably benefits individual cities’ efforts to implement point nine on the US Conference of Mayor’s 10-Point Plan New Agenda for Metropolitan America – modernizing infrastructure while protecting the environment for the future. As the only supplier of solar-powered fixed networks in the market, Aclara RF Systems Inc. can significantly help cities meet clean energy requirements.

New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, the Water Service Commission in Kansas City, the Water Department in Corpus Christi (TX), and over 90 other water utilities have selected the STAR® Network product to automate their water systems. Aclara’s single focus is to provide utilities with the most dependable, robust, and cost-effective fixed network system – period.

Aclara RF Systems Inc. is one of the Aclara technologies of ESCO, a group that also includes Aclara Power-Line systems Inc. and Aclara Software Inc. The Aclara technologies provide an industry-leading suite of innovative fixed-network and meter-data-management solutions for both municipal and investor-owned utilities.

For additional information about Alcara, contact Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland at 301-460-5251 or send e-mail to kweyland@usmayors.org. You can also visit Alcara’s website at: www.aclaratech.com