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The Smart Techie was renamed Siliconindia India Edition starting Feb 2012 to continue the nearly two decade track record of excellence of our US edition.

November - 2008 - issue > Spotlight: Networking

Eka Systems

si Team
Monday, November 3, 2008
si Team
Eka Systems is a global provider of Smart Grid solutions and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for electric, gas and water utilities. Led by Prakash Charavarthi, its founder and President & CEO, it has experienced rapid growth in sales of its EkaNet™ Smart AMI Networks for a fifth year in a row. Since its first deployment of an EkaNet solution, the company has become a pioneer in Utility Smart Networks and Smart Grid solutions. Eka Systems’ commitment to customers is evident with the continuing enhancement of the company’s solution portfolio which enables the networking of all utility meters – electric, water, and gas. Eka Systems serves customers in Europe, South America, North America, and Asia.

Prakash expects 2008 shipments of EkaNet-enabled smart meters to approach 30,000 units by year’s end with nearly 70% for deployment within the United States. This success is the result of Eka Systems becoming the leading provider of meter-agnostic smart AMI networks that deliver the scalability, flexibility and security needed to cost-effectively meet the changing communication needs of the energy industry. EkaNet smart networking offers smart metering platforms for all the major industry leaders - Elster, GE, Itron, and Landis+Gyr.

Architected with the aid of a half-dozen technology patents, Eka Systems’ Smart Networks expand the technology of utility operation by introducing self-managing, self-healing mesh networks, smart meters, and Home Area Networking (HAN). EkaNet-enabled meters and devices communicate in near real-time with the utility, providing data and control such as: detailed usage data, time-of-use pricing, remote connect / disconnect, HAN access, etc. Such capabilities enable a utility’s customers with the precise data for tailoring consumption, minimizing energy expenses, while helping balance overall network demand. Utilities value these EkaNet capabilities as an avenue to forecast and manage energy usage during peak demand periods and also as essential tools in maximizing operational efficiencies to boost bottom line performance.

“The global energy market is in excess of $100 billion,” commented Chakravarthi, “and there’s enormous growth potential for successful companies like ours.” Eka Systems has seen its financial backing grow to $40 million over eight years. The company is venture backed by Flybridge Capital Partners, RockPort Capital Partners, The Westly Group, and Metropolitan Investments.
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