Itron to Provide Web-Based Workforce Automation Technology to Southeastern Data Cooperative; SEDC Will Offer Service-Link As Part Of Its Utility Powernet Product Suite.

Business Editors & Energy Writers

SPOKANE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2003

Itron, Inc. (Nasdaq:ITRI) announced today that it has reached an agreement with Southeastern Data Cooperative (SEDC) to allow SEDC to provide its utility customers with Itron workforce automation technology.

SEDC is a member-owned data processing cooperative, based in Tucker, Georgia, that has been providing end-to-end consumer billing (CIS) and accounting solutions to electric cooperatives and municipal utilities since 1971. SEDC currently serves over 170 utilities in 28 states.

Service-Link, Itron's web-based application for real-time utility field dispatching and mobile workforce management, will be incorporated into SEDC's Utility POWERnet (UPN) product suite, and SEDC will pay a royalty to Itron. With this technology utilities will be able to automate the scheduling and dispatching of work to field technicians, and more effectively monitor their entire field service operations. Service-Link extends data communications to utility field personnel by supporting the leading private and public wireless data networks. Work orders can also be downloaded to mobile computers via regular dial-up network card or docking station connections.

"This application allows our customers to enjoy the benefits of real-time field service dispatching while eliminating the costly paperwork associated with traditional manual work order processing," said Ron Camp, Southeastern Data's CEO.

"We've already had 22 utilities commit to Service-Link and expect interest to grow as the initial installations demonstrate improvements in customer service, productivity and overall efficiency," he continued. "Adding Service-Link to our UPN system will make an already robust software package even more powerful."

SEDC is a longtime Itron Business Associate and has been providing its customers with Itron meter reading equipment and related services since 1986.

"SEDC has been an outstanding Itron Business Associate for more than 15 years," said John Hengesh, vice president and general manager of Itron's Water and Public Power Business Unit. "We're pleased that they have selected Itron's workforce management solution to help them expand their product line and better serve their customers."

About Itron

Itron is a leading technology provider and critical source of knowledge to the global energy and water industries. More than 2,800 utilities worldwide rely on Itron technology to deliver the knowledge they require to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Itron delivers value to its clients by providing industry-leading solutions for meter data collection, energy information management, demand side management and response, load forecasting, analysis and consulting services, transmission and distribution system design and optimization, web-based workforce automation, C&I customer care and residential energy management. To know more, start here: www.itron.com.

About SEDC

Southeastern Data Cooperative is a member owned data processing cooperative that has been providing end-to-end Consumer Billing (CIS) and Accounting solutions to electric distribution cooperatives and municipal utility providers since 1971. Currently SEDC serves over 170 utility providers in 28 states. To know more: www.sedata.com/corporate.