AMI Utility Metering Solution
Mainlink & Axioma Metering deliver a fully integrated advanced metering infrastructure from ultrasonic water meter to Head-End System (HES) – Meter Data Management (MDM) platform and mobile apps designed to improve visibility across your existing network without adding operational complexity. .
AMI solutions for Modern Utilities
Today’s utility providers face mounting challenges: rising energy and water costs, tightening regulations, aging infrastructure and non-revenue water. Traditional metering systems rely heavily on manual processes—meter readings, data collection, and analysis—that demand significant time, labor, and expense.
Smart utility metering solutions address these issues head‑on. By leveraging real-time data, automation, and remote access, utilities can streamline operations, reduce costs, and respond to problems faster.
Mainlink’s comprehensive, robust metering solution delivers detailed insights for utility providers. Simplified data collection and analysis help reduce operating costs while giving decision‑makers the information they need to act with confidence. Smart metering enables precise billing, early leak detection, and, in water applications, clear identification of non‑revenue water.
Core Components of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System
Capture accurate consumption data using ultrasonic technology designed for long-term accuracy and minimal maintenance.
- High-precision measurement
- Compact size
- Flexible, any-angle installation
- External antennas for harsh installation conditions
- Configurable alarm thresholds
- Fully waterproof (IP68 Class)
- Meter detects leaks as low as 0.04 GPM
Pulse-to-LoRa Converter
Upgrade existing mechanical water meters with pulse-to-LoRa converters to enable remote meter reading without replacing installed meters. Meter data is automatically transmitted to the Mainlink meter data management platform.
- Convert mechanical water meters into remotely read smart meters
- Collect all meter data in the Mainlink meter data management platform
- Deliver accurate consumption data for utility billing
LoRaWAN Network Infrastructure
Build a utility-owned LoRaWAN network using Mainlink indoor and outdoor gateways. Secure, long-range communication connects thousands of smart water meters across scalable AMI deployments.
- Long-range LoRaWAN communication with deep indoor coverage
- Indoor and outdoor gateways with simple deployment
- Backup power during outages
- Instant alerts for gateway or network communication failures
- Starlink support for remote deployments
- Solar-powered gateway option
- Detailed network coverage management dashboard in our smart metering software.
AMI Software
Mainlink’s AMI software combines Head-End System (HES) and Meter Data Management (MDM) to collect, validate, and analyze meter data, detect leaks, automate workflows, and integrate with existing utility systems.
- Combined HES & MDM platform
- NRW analytics & leak detection
- API integration with utility billing and enterprise systems
- Network & device health monitoring
Installer Mobile App
Simplify meter installation with a mobile app that verifies device operation and confirms successful communication from the very beginning.
- Fast device activation
- Real-time installation confirmation
- Operates offline
- Clear device status and alert visibility
- Immediate confirmation of data delivery to the platform
Benefits of Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for Utilities
VISIBLE WATER LOSS
Advanced technologies empower infrastructure to collect accurate data that reveals hidden issues across the network.
- High-precision ultrasonic measurement
- Continuous consumption monitoring
- Real-time leak, burst, freeze and reverse flow detection
- Non-revenue water detection tools
ACCURATE UTILITY BILLING
Generate accurate utility bills using consumption data from ultrasonic smart water meters. The Mainlink Meter Data Management (MDM) system automatically collects, validates, and prepares meter data for seamless integration with utility billing platforms.
- Accurate consumption data from ultrasonic smart water meters
- Meter Data Management (MDM) system for data collection, validation, and analysis
- API integration with utility billing and invoicing systems
ONE PARTNER. ONE COMPLETE AMI SOLUTION.
Reduce project complexity by working with a single partner for your entire advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). Mainlink delivers the smart meters, LoRaWAN network, AMI software, and implementation expertise needed to simplify deployment, operation, and long-term support.
- Smart meters, LoRaWAN network, AMI software, and installer app from one provider
- Professional consultation for network design and deployment planning
- Support for compliance with the latest utility regulations and standards
- End-to-end solution designed to work together from day one
LONG-TERM SYSTEM RELIABILITY
Built for long-term utility operations, the Mainlink AMI system combines durable smart meters, reliable communication, and secure cloud infrastructure to deliver dependable performance with minimal maintenance.
- Up to 16-year battery life for long-term deployments
- Maintenance-free ultrasonic water meter technology with no moving parts
- Secure AWS cloud infrastructure for reliable data management
- Durable, IP68-rated devices designed for harsh utility environments
PEAK DEMAND MANAGEMENT
Reduce demand peaks by identifying when and where water consumption reaches its highest levels. The Mainlink AMI platform provides real-time and historical consumption data, helping utilities analyze demand patterns, optimize network operations, and make informed infrastructure planning decisions.
- Identify peak water demand across the distribution network
- Analyze hourly, daily, and seasonal consumption patterns
- Support infrastructure planning with historical demand data
- Reduce network stress through data-driven operational decisions
Applications of Mainlink’s AMI solution
New Utility AMI
Deployments
Deploy a complete Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) with ultrasonic smart water meters, LoRaWAN communication, and AMI software for utilities building new digital metering networks.
Legacy Meter Infrastructure Modernization
Modernize existing mechanical water meters using pulse-to-LoRa converters, enabling remote meter reading without replacing the installed meter base.
Municipal Water
Utilities
Improve operational efficiency, reduce manual meter reading, and gain real-time visibility across city-wide water distribution networks.
Commercial and Industrial Water Metering
Monitor water consumption across commercial buildings, industrial facilities, campuses, and business parks with centralized data collection and analytics.
Rural and Regional Water
Utilities
Deploy long-range LoRaWAN communication to connect dispersed meters across large geographic areas while minimizing communication infrastructure costs.
Smart City Water
Management
Integrate smart water metering into broader smart city initiatives, providing real-time data to support sustainability, digital infrastructure, and efficient resource management.
LoRaWAN network for utility’s advanced metering infrastructure
Mainlink provides LoRaWAN® network solutions for utilities building or upgrading advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). LoRaWAN is a wireless communication technology designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications that require long-range connectivity, deep signal penetration, and low power consumption. It enables utilities to collect data from smart water meters across large service areas while supporting long battery life and reliable communication from underground chambers, basements, and other hard-to-reach locations.
With Mainlink, utilities can deploy and operate their own private LoRaWAN network instead of relying on cellular operators. Because LoRaWAN uses license-free radio spectrum, utilities retain control over their metering communication infrastructure, data transmission, network coverage, and long-term operating costs. A small number of LoRaWAN gateways can connect large numbers of meters, making the technology well suited for scalable utility AMI deployments.
Access our recent case study to see how a water utility in Mexico used Mainlink’s LoRaWAN network and smart metering platform to improve meter connectivity, network visibility, and operational control.
How Utilities Use AMI Systems
Automated Billing
Export accurate consumption data directly to billing systems for faster and accurate invoicing.
Water Loss Management
Compare production and consumption data to identify non-revenue water (NRW) and prioritize corrective actions.
DMA Monitoring
Monitor district metered areas in real time to improve network visibility and quickly detect anomalies.
Customer Engagement
Give customers access to real-time consumption data and alerts through a web portal or mobile application.
Leak Detection
Detect continuous flow and abnormal consumption patterns to identify leaks before they become costly failures.
Consumption Analytics
Analyze hourly, daily, and seasonal consumption trends to optimize network operation and demand planning.
Network & Device Monitoring
Monitor communication quality and device health to maintain a reliable AMI network.
How it works?
Frequently asked questions
A smart metering solution for utilities is a technology framework that helps providers monitor and manage resources more effectively. It simplifies data collection, delivers accurate billing data, and tracks water usage while monitoring issues such as leaks, bursts, freezes, and backflows through a centralized data management system. By automating these processes, smart metering reduces operational costs, improves efficiency, supports sustainability goals, and helps utilities maintain regulatory compliance.
Smart meters deliver a much higher level of accuracy than traditional mechanical meters. Axioma Metering’s ultrasonic water meters, for example, are highly sensitive and can detect flow rates as low as 1 l/h, making them an excellent choice for precise and reliable smart water metering. Accuracy is central to the system’s design, ensuring dependable data for transparent billing, detailed consumption insights, and early detection of issues such as leaks, backflow, or tampering.
Mainlink’s smart water metering system helps utilities lower operating costs by automating data collection and reducing the need for manual interventions. Its advanced leak detection capabilities identify issues before they escalate, while detailed consumption insights support data‑driven decisions and highlight areas of lost water. In addition, the system’s low‑maintenance, long‑lasting meters minimize ongoing upkeep and replacement expenses, further driving down operational costs.
Mainlink’s smart metering solution delivers accurate water usage data that supports fully transparent billing. By integrating our software with your existing billing platform through an API, utilities can automate the billing process
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