Tiny Qonnectis is at present in an embryonic stage, but seems to have an interesting product with great potential. Their flagship product connects energy and water meters to the Internet via Qonnectis' own server and users' website, providing 24-hour real-time accessibility as well as the opportunity for instant data comparison and updates as frequently as every 15 minutes. This avoids the costs of traditional meter-reading methods (i.e. reading by eye or the more recent "drive-by" technology). The new technology has already saved one early customer a reported 180,000 after it spotted a water leak and alerted the user. Early adopters include utilities such as Scottish Water and Generale des Eaux Lyon, plus public sector clients such as the NHS, the RAF and various District Councils (the list is numerous, so please see QTI's press releases for the whole picture). In November 2005 QTI announced a distribution deal with Compteurs Farnier of France, providing potential access to the USA and Canada in addition to the French market.

The business case for QTI seems strong: the product is inexpensive and provides cost savings both in terms of labour-saving and of cutting wastage. Sales include an element of subscription on a five-year basis; it seems logical that satisfied customers will both increase their number of meters in use and come back for further subscriptions after the five-year period has elapsed. The potential market is huge. The real question is, when will QTI achieve break-even?

CEO Mike Tapia previously built up the Talisman remote/drive-by meter-reading business, which was then sold to Severn Trent Water Co around 1997.

Does anyone have any figures on the Talisman sale, or perhaps on Compteurs Farnier? It would be good to get some idea of the current market.


EDIT: New charts added, 21Dec2007.

If variable utility pricing is eventually introduced for the domestic market that should solve the problem of who pays for the meters because it could be in the interests of both producers and consumers to install them.
According the economist article the 30m smart meters installed in Italy (the 30m figure is correct) seem to have been justified in terms of improved customer service. If the utitilty companies start to introduce smart meters with an inbuilt capacity to send the data over long distances (as opposed to the 'drive-by' sort currently in use) not sure where QTI would fit in - my understanding it that it currently uses data logging/communications devices attached to conventional meters.

QTI products send the info over the internet. You're right - the devices are usually attached to conventional meters.

Yes, I realise that. Be interesting to know how the costs would come down if QTI's equipment was manufactured in very large quantities. If they could tap the domestic market.......

Here's a riddle: there's a trade of 3,000,000 this morning, deemed a sell but went through at what used to be the mid price of 0.75p.

Now the price is: QTI Bid: 0.5p Offer: 1.25p Change: 0.125


So clearly it wasn't a sell after all.

I wonder who has spent 22,500 on QTI stock.

Even better, on the Dark Side it's listed as number three amongst the top gainers.

which would be all right if it built on those gains.

The 1.25p offer price was displayed some time before the trade so it's definitely a buy.

surely that would nmean that the trade price was below the mid and would therefore be a sell.

Of course, that would explain why the system thinks it's a sell - as we all know these larger trades tend to get processed later anyway, and distort the picture.

Of course, if it really had been a sell then I think it's fair to assume that the SP would have got hammered, as usual.

These are the recent trades. The last trade yesterday was a sell at 0.56 and the middle close/open was 0.75. I presume the mms changed the offer price to 1.25 when the 3m trade was going through.
10/01/07 10:01 0.75 3,000,000 O 0.5 1.25 Sell
09/01/07 15:15 0.56 35,000 O 0.5 1 Sell
09/01/07 14:11 0.75 250,000 O 0.5 1 ?
09/01/07 13:40 0.875 100,000 O 0.5 1 Buy

56k shares bought today at 1.1p

As ever, JMAC, you beat me to it - good to see trading at upper end of price range.

Yes - another 50k were subsequently traded at 1.1p. The 3m bought yesterday must have been significant.

URGENT!

Anybody been contacted by a New York company offering huge sums for QTI shares? Details to be forwarded by e-mail.
Could be a scam as a 'bond' is necessary to insure the transaction???
They claim to have a large number of shareholders on board already and those that don't will be left with a valueless shell???

Sounds like a scam. Buyer this morning at 1.25p

Turns out it is a well known scam. Your contribution to the 'bond' is only a fraction of the promised proceeds... but many times the actual worth of the shares. The deal then 'falls through' and you forfeit your bond contribution.
Puzzle is the firm appears to be well established.

Steady small scale buying at present. The mms don't seem to be in any hurry to narrow the spread.

So, who is the firm operating the scam? If we know who it is, we can avoid them.

Have to be a bit careful until I have proof. But rest assured that if you get contacted by an Asian(?) Gentleman claiming to be in New York, you will be in no doubt!

Harry, generally anyone who phones at random, especially from abroad, and offers lurid-sounding deals is thought to be on the make.

However, if you're holding the stock on a nominee account rather than certificates then you should be protected anyway, as your name won't be on the shareholders' register and no-one will know your contact details.

500k shares sold at 0.75p - so the spread is effectively now 0.75/1.25p.

That's a bit scary, soult!!! How do you know I hold in nominee a/c? You wouldn't be an Oriental chap based in New York by any chance? :o)
But, fear not. I am a saleman's worse nightmare when it comes to buying anything over the phone, so I shan't be duped!