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.

Some news may emerge as a result of/in advance of the Water Industry Flow Club meeting tomorrow.

Does anybody have any comments about this section of the RHPS report?:

'...the Leakfrog. About the size of a cigarette packet, it is attached to the water meter, monitors the pattern of consumption and then displays a message if it suspects a leak and of what magnitude. This can then be read by the householder or by a representative of the water utility.'

Does this imply that you have to go to the meter to read an LCD, or equivalent? I would have thought it more likely that it can be read remotely.

4th on the biggest gainers list ....

if you take a look qti website it explains the functions it transmits the findings to the company's website ie thames water's site and then thames can act on the results.ie leak repair.

I think you're referring to the existing service aimed at industrial/commercial users - leakfrog is aimed at the domestic market - we don't have the details yet.

Turned out nice again! :o)

It certainly did! :)

The sp still quite buoyant at around the 2p level in spite of the news blackout. For how much longer I wonder......

2/2.2 - website has been modified to allow for inclusion of leakfrog details.

Thanks Jmac! Will take a look.

It looks as if we're in for a double whammy - the leakfrog launch, probably next week, followed by the finals (Hemscott indicating the 17th for the latter, apparently). Let's hope they both wham the sp in the same +ve direction....

Great news - thanks for the updates JMAC (just as I was on the point of sending a friendly enquiry to the company, as well!).

I'm sitting here wishing I'd had the courage to increase my stake when it was 0.8p! :o(

Wishing y'all a good weekend.
ST

Don't we all soult!!! Almost in profit now.
I'm a bit surprised that the french venture never really came to anything. A bit of a poor marketing strategy, imo.

Has there been news on the Compteurs Farnier scene (I assume that's what you're referring to)? Or are the French just taking their time over marketing? The other one that has slipped off the radar is the pubs rollout. That was supposed to involve 2,000 units over three years...

I am in profit :o)

Might be tempted to sell and take profits if the sp zooms up on the 17th - just in time for Xmas!

Yes, that's the one, soult. Compteurs Farnier.
Although QTI seem to have some decent products, they don't seem to be very dynamic in taking them to market. They need to be a bit more pro-active, imo.

RNS out showing Barclays Stockbrokers now holding 11.5m+ shares on behalf of clients.

Hemscott showing December for prelims and finals but the 17th only 'approx', so the news blackout continues. Under the circumstances the sp is holding up well and seems to have good support at around 2p.

lack of news is affecting the sp but when we get news imo i think it will be good news from qti and thames water must admit though am dissapointed about not hearing when leakfrog is to be launched because imo that is when qti could take off all the rumours suggested the launch would be in november they do seem to be holding back the information from pi's not a very informative company qti?

There's a posting on iii suggesting Thames about to offer Leakfrogs to metered customers....