In the digital transformation journey of water utilities, smart metering has become a strategic and indispensable lever. It is no longer just about technological innovation, but a key driver to improve operational efficiency, reduce water losses, enhance service quality, and address increasing regulatory and environmental pressures.

However, the adoption of AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) often faces economic, operational, and organizational barriers: high upfront investments, significant project complexity, the need for specialized skills, and challenges in managing integrated value chains.

In this context, the MaaS (Metering-as-a-Service) model is emerging as an innovative and integrated approach, enabling utilities to access the benefits of smart metering through a fully managed solution with predictable costs over time, overcoming traditional infrastructure investment models.

A model that simplifies, accelerates, and creates value

MaaS fundamentally redefines how utilities approach smart metering projects. Instead of designing, financing, and managing infrastructure internally, utilities can rely on a complete, scalable, and immediately deployable service covering the entire metering value chain:

• Smart meter supply
• Data connectivity and transmission
• Installation, operations, and maintenance

The benefits are immediately tangible:

• No upfront investment
• Positive cash flow from day one
• Subscription-based pricing linked to connected meters
• Performance guaranteed through SLAs

In this model, technological and operational risks are transferred to the provider, freeing utilities from management complexity and allowing them to focus on their core business. Technology thus shifts from being an asset to manage into a scalable, accessible, and rapidly deployable service.

An integrated and winning ecosystem for water metering

The distinctive element of the model lies in the full integration of three complementary and well-established players, operating synergistically as a single system and ensuring operational continuity across the entire value chain.

• Maddalena, an international benchmark in metrology, provides reliable smart meters and advanced data management

• Netmore, a global telecom operator, ensures carrier-grade LoRaWAN connectivity and data transmission continuity

• Sologas, a field operations specialist, manages installation and operational activities through structured and traceable processes

The strength of the solution lies in the seamless integration of competencies, technologies, and responsibilities, eliminating the fragmentation typical of traditional AMI projects, significantly reducing coordination issues, and improving integration and accountability.

For utilities, this translates into a single point of contact, a unified vision, and clear responsibility across the entire value chain.

Flexible technology, gradual migration, maximum interoperability

From a technological perspective, the solution combines advanced mechanical meters and electronic meters, covering a wide range of applications from utilities to residential submetering.

Devices support the main data communication technologies — wM-Bus OMS, LoRaWAN, and NB-IoT — ensuring interoperability, adaptability to different infrastructure contexts, design flexibility, and long-term investment protection.

The coexistence of multiple technologies enables a gradual transition to smart metering, reducing operational risks and facilitating long-term investment planning.

From installation to data: a complete value chain

Within the MaaS model, the process starts directly in the field, following a structured and utility-oriented operational sequence.

It begins with meter installation or replacement, managed through a structured process including appointment scheduling, end-user communication, smart meter deployment, configuration, and activation. This is supported by full lifecycle logistics management, including tracking, returns handling, and disposal.

Once installed and operational, meters start generating reliable and continuous data, enabling accurate remote reading and increased visibility on consumption.

The system is supported by the deployment and management of the LoRaWAN network, including gateway installation, 4G SIM-based backhauling, and continuous monitoring through a 24/7 NOC, ensuring coverage, reliability, and service continuity even across complex and extended territories

The process continues with operational management, including preventive and corrective maintenance, field interventions, and digital reporting, ensuring full traceability and performance control.

Value is ultimately realized through data transformation, via integration with HES and MDMS systems for billing, analytics, anomaly detection, and network optimization.

Tangible benefits for utilities

For water utilities, MaaS delivers measurable and concrete advantages:

• Reduced financial risk, with no major hardware and software investments

• Increased operational efficiency through outsourcing of complex activities

• Faster implementation, accelerating large-scale smart metering deployment

• Access to specialized expertise across the entire value chain

• Focus on core business, freeing internal resources from non-strategic tasks

• Cost predictability, a key factor in regulated environments and long-term planning

Additionally, the model contributes to sustainability goals, resource efficiency, and loss reduction—key priorities in modern utility strategies.

Towards a new metering paradigm

The future of metering lies in collaborative, integrated, and service-oriented models. MaaS, powered by the effective collaboration between Maddalena, Netmore, and Sologas, provides a concrete response to the growing complexity of the water sector: transforming infrastructure projects into services, lowering barriers to innovation, and enabling faster, more sustainable, and scalable digital transformation.

In a context where utilities are required to do more with fewer resources, MaaS introduces a new paradigm: no longer fragmented, internally managed projects, but integrated solutions ready to be deployed and governed—an ecosystem that transforms smart metering into a reliable, scalable, and ready-to-use service.

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Maddalena provides its customers with the new graphical user interface (UI) of the MGrid platform, the digital environment dedicated to the management, monitoring and analysis of data collected from Maddalena smart devices.

Designed to offer an even more intuitive and immediate user experience, the new UI represents a further step in the evolution of Maddalena’s IoT platform, developed to meet the needs of a rapidly changing market increasingly oriented towards advanced digital solutions.

Simple, secure access focused on the data that matters

The MGrid platform is accessible via web browser from a PC and allows exclusive access to authorized users only, with visibility limited to the assigned devices.

This model combines operational simplicity with data security, in line with best practices in data governance and information protection requirements.

The new UI allows users to:

• monitor system status in real time
• view and analyse data from each individual device
• support network control and maintenance activities
• ensure continuity and reliability in billing processes

Device georeferencing also enables the timely identification of anomalies and potential leaks, supporting a proactive approach to infrastructure management.

A modular platform, ready to grow

MGrid has been designed as a scalable and modular platform, capable of adapting to the different operational needs of water utilities and metering system operators. Its structure supports:

• data acquisition via Mobile Reading (Arrow Mobile Android App) or Fixed Network

• integration with third-party ERP systems

• data export for local analysis and usage

The goal is to provide a tool that is easy to use today, while being ready to incorporate new functionalities and integrations over time.

Looking ahead: continuous innovation

The market for smart services and IoT applied to resource management is rapidly evolving.

Maddalena continues to invest in the development of an open, interoperable platform focused on the real needs of operators, following a path of continuous evolution that will support customers in the years to come.

MGrid is not just a platform available today, but a constantly growing digital ecosystem, designed to support innovation in management and service models.

Service access

Access to the MGrid platform is reserved for authorised customers.

For further information or service activation, please contact the Maddalena Sales Department or the Help Desk via My Maddalena.

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Maddalena SpA continues to stand out as a leader in innovation within the water metering sector thanks to ElecTo SJ, a single-jet electronic meter that combines cutting-edge technology with operational sustainability.
The attainment of OMS and LoRaWAN® certifications, in addition to those already achieved for other models in the ElecTo range, demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality solutions that comply with international standards.

Designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, ElecTo SJ is a meter that redefines the standards of versatility and reliability. Thanks to multiprotocol communication, including wM-Bus and LoRaWAN®, ElecTo SJ enables both short and long-distance data transmission, adapting to any requirement in residential and utility sectors, providing operational flexibility and easy integration.

The LCD display makes it easy to read the meter while also providing additional information on the proper functioning of the system, as it can detect any anomalies, leaks, or backflows. This meter comes with a protective cover, IP68 protection, and an optimized radio antenna to ensure the device can operate even in challenging environments while maintaining high standards of reliability and remote data transmission performance.

Sustainability and Long service life

Another key strength of the ElecTo SJ meter is its long-lasting lithium battery, designed to ensure efficient operation for a minimum of 13 years in dual-mode. This feature not only reduces operational costs related to reading, maintenance, and replacement but also contributes to sustainable resource management, aligning with Maddalena SpA’s commitment to environmental protection.

Ease of integration into IoT Systems

Furthermore, the product is MID-certified and holds sanitary certifications for various European countries, ensuring compliance with regulations for use in potable water distribution networks.

Continuous Innovation

With its range of ElecTo smart water meters, Maddalena SpA reaffirms its role as a leader in technological innovation and the provision of tailored solutions for modern utilities and submetering applications. The combination of advanced technology, durability, and sustainability makes the ElecTo range the ideal choice for managing the water networks of the future.

The new ElecTo SJ will be showcased at the E-world energy & water trade fair, taking place in Essen, Germany, from February 10 to 13, 2025. This will be a unique opportunity to explore its technical features firsthand, interact with our experts, and see how ElecTo SJ can revolutionize water network management. We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, visit the product page.

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