Itron and Bsquare First to Provide App Community for Grid Edge Devices

Itron, a technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water, and Bsquare, a supplier of Internet of Things (IoT) software and integration services, have announced a partnership to advance distributed intelligence through providing a secure OpenWay Riva App Community for edge devices.

“This is an excellent example of the innovative ways in which IoT technology can be applied to diverse business problems,” said Dave Wagstaff, CTO, Bsquare. “For DataV, the ability to securely and reliably manage the distribution of software apps to tens of millions of meters—and do it in such a way that core revenue generating functions cannot be impaired—was a snap. As important, DataV is able to deliver these capabilities even over networks that are extremely constrained from a bandwidth perspective.”

Itron has said it is using Bsquare’s DataV IoT software stack to enable app downloads and management for the OpenWay Riva network devices. Itron’s OpenWay Riva solution is designed to provide distributed intelligence and computing power in meters and grid devices, and enable real-time analysis of data and peer-to-peer communication among intelligent devices at the edge of the network. DataV provides a software distribution layer embedded within the OpenWay Riva network that can allow utilities to download apps to targeted populations of meters, enabling new functionality and capabilities.

“Itron’s OpenWay Riva solution puts intelligence into devices across a utility’s service territory and provides dynamic and powerful new methods of improving grid reliability, reducing operating costs and enhancing revenue opportunities,” said Mark de Vere White, president, Electricity business line, Itron. “With the interest from third parties, including utilities, we expect hundreds of apps available over time. These app community capabilities make it easier for our customers to access apps and deliver and manage them over the OpenWay Riva network. It’s just like having a highly secure smart phone and app store available for every OpenWay Riva device.”