Digi Allows Utilities to Experience the Benefits of the Smart Grid Now

-Ready-to-go pilot programs include Google PowerMeter, iPhone and Android applications, Itron ERT meter connectivity, Smart Energy meter and thermostat control and other innovative solutions for Smart Grid deployments-

MINNETONKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Digi International (NASDAQ: DGII) today introduced “Smart Grid Now” bundles that make it easy and cost effective for utilities to conduct an energy management pilot program and offer a broad range of new energy efficiency services to their customers. The “Smart Grid Now” bundles include the technology and infrastructure necessary to conduct a Smart Grid pilot program in areas with Advanced Meter Reading (AMR) or Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) networks in place. Bundles for 25 users start at $2,500 including iDigi cloud based services.

“We have tens of thousands of residential energy gateways deployed in real-world Smart Grid applications. Our cost-effective Smart Grid Now bundles make it easy for utilities to take the next step in Smart Grid deployment and engage consumers in real-time energy decisions.”

“Utilities are faced with numerous regulatory and internal business issues when running a Smart Grid pilot program,” said Larry Kraft, senior vice president of global sales and marketing, Digi International. “We have tens of thousands of residential energy gateways deployed in real-world Smart Grid applications. Our cost-effective Smart Grid Now bundles make it easy for utilities to take the next step in Smart Grid deployment and engage consumers in real-time energy decisions.”

“Smart Grid Now” bundles allow utilities to offer a broad range of demand-side management services with or without Smart Meter deployments. Two configurations are available including the Smart Energy (SE) bundle for AMI networks and the AMR Plus bundle. Both bundles include 25 ConnectPort® Smart Energy Gateways, iDigi® cloud service and iPhone and Android applications. The AMR Plus bundle includes an additional 25 ERT/Ethernet Bridges which make real-time AMR/ERT metering data available to an energy service provider via broadband. The ERT products enable online access to gas, water and electric metering data from Itron’s widely deployed ERT meters.

“Smart Grid Now” bundles allow customers to create an extended grid. The extended grid then becomes the starting point for a Home Area Network (HAN) that can be joined by Smart Energy thermostats, load controllers, appliances, in-home displays and other devices. Consumers can access energy usage information via Google PowerMeter as well as Digi’s iPhone and Android Energy Day Trader applications. Smart thermostats can be controlled remotely via the same iPhone and Android applications.

“Smart Grid Now” pilot bundles allow utilities to connect their customers to a broad range of Digi X-Grid partner solutions and support ZigBee Smart Energy certified thermostats from Carrier, Energate, Computime and Radio Thermostat Company of America. Digi provides an open architecture solution that supports numerous innovative energy service application providers. To learn more about how Itron, Comverge, Cooper Power, Calico Energy Services, Ecofactor and other partners work with the Digi X-Grid solution, please visit http://www.digi.com/solutions/partners/energy_dtech.jsp.

Digi will feature its “Smart Grid Now” bundles at DistribuTECH 2011, booth 2405. For more information, visit www.digi.com/smartgridnow. For more information about iDigi, visit www.idigi.com.

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 www.digi.com, or call 877-912-3444.

For more information, visit Digi's Web site at www.digi.com, or call 877-912-3444.

All brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.