An innovative m‐utility management and billing system

Abstract

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -Aims to provide a new wireless design for utility management and billing systems using GSM networks that can be used by large utility sites. Design/methodology/approach -Traditional energy and water meters are replaced or enhanced to produce digital readings. A hardware interface is designed and then connected via the GSM network to a server at the utility headquarters. The new system is compared with traditional utility systems. Findings -A prototype for the proposed systems was implemented. It was tested using a real GSM network in the United Arab Emirates. The performance of the systems was acceptable, with high accuracy results when compared with the existing systems.Research limitations/implications -Applying the system in large buildings with multiple subscribers is not a straightforward task; the system may need some modifications. Practical implications -This is a very useful system for utility companies which are interested in better management and billing systems. The system can be implemented easily at low cost. Originality/value -This work utilizes a mobile network to provide a practical system for utility companies. It is an integrated system with complete hardware, software, and database implementation.