Source: http://www.marsh-mcbirney.com

Introduced to great fanfare during the 2005 WEFTEC Conference last fall, Marsh-McBirney’s Data Delivery Services (DDS) Program has been enthusiastically embraced by flow professionals nationwide. In the following interview Dave Baker, DDS Manager, discusses the many advantages that DDS offers and why he feels that this new service is going to turn the flow industry upside down.

Focus On Flow: Can you summarize what the DDS program offers those in the sewer flow monitoring arena?
Dave Baker: We are offering a hands-off solution to flow data gathering. The beauty of the program is that as the leading flowmeter manufacturer in this industry, we can offer the most innovative and accurate flow instrumentation available today as the vehicle to allow users to get their flow data in the least expensive manner.

FOF: Why not just buy a flow meter and do it yourself?
DB: Good question. Think about it this way. People don’t buy drills because they want drills. They buy drills because they want holes. The same principle applies here. People don’t always want to buy flowmeters when all they really need is flow data. It’s a totally new approach that will take flow monitoring personnel out of the manhole and allow them to retrieve data from their desktop. For those customers that still want to own and operate the flow meter we are happy to accommodate them as we have for 35 years.

FOF: Are there different options available with DDS?
DB: Three DDS plans are currently available including Basic, Silver or Gold. Offering three options allows the customer to choose the plan that best fits their specific needs. The Basic Plan is available as a two-year contract while the Silver and Gold Plans can be as little as one-year contracts. The cost for each plan varies slightly with the Basic Plan starting at $500 per month.

FOF: What are the features common to all of the DDS Plans?
DB: All DDS plans includes a web-enabled Flo-Dar Flowmeter, secure password protected access to unedited flow data, a data uptime guarantee, Flo-Ware software compatibility, data back-ups as well as customer support.

Installation by a factory certified contractor is quoted separately by Marsh-McBirney and is based upon application and location specifics.

FOF: What's a "web enabled" flow meter?
DB: The Flo-Dar flow meter that we use in our DDS program uses state-of-the-art wireless technology to transmit and publish flow data to a secure website. Data is available 24/7 through the customer's web browser.

FOF: Are there any particular markets best served by DDS?
DB: The DDS Programs are equally appealing to both municipal and industrial clients. DDS was designed to fit the needs of small to mid-size municipalities as well as industries who do not want their personnel spending lots of time worrying about flowmeters. It’s just a fact that, regardless of our job, we all are taxed with time limitations. There’s just not enough time to do it all. By utilizing DDS, customers are entrusting their flow data collection tasks to a highly reputable and recognized name in the industry - Marsh-McBirney. The end result for the customer is that DDS will make it easier for them to accomplish their flow monitoring program objectives without the nuisance factor of meter installations, maintenance or frequent site visits.

Also, in instances where custody transfer is involved and/or billing applications, DDS is ideal. Acting as a third party in the flow data gathering process, DDS provides unedited and therefore unbiased flow data for all involved parties.

FOF: What about data analysis?
DB: As the name suggests, this is about data delivery. Many clients have their own staff that are qualified to analyze data. Others will want to use a qualified engineer or flow service provider for analysis. Either way, DDS brings the raw data right to the appropriate desktop (or several desktops) so that analysis can be performed quickly and effectively.

FOF: How would you rate the interest level for DDS in this early stage?
DB: It has been phenomenal. It’s hard for someone not to be interested in getting highly accurate flow data inexpensively. Once I speak with the customer about DDS, it just makes sense to them to utilize the service. Since this is a new and very unique approach to flow monitoring that has not been done by anyone else in the industry, it has been very important to take the time to educate prospective customers on the program. At first glance it appears that the program is too good to be true but this is one of those instances where the customer cannot go wrong!

FOF: What role do you feel DDS plays in the future of sewer flow monitoring?
DB: As more and more customers approach us regarding DDS, we are quickly realizing that a new standard is being set here. DDS is changing the way people gather important flow data and it will indeed turn the flow industry upside down. As our new ad campaign indicates, "It’s time to think outside the manhole!" I invite our readers to contact me to discuss this revolutionary approach to flow monitoring so they can see for themselves.