在1989，美国水务协会研究基金会（AWWARF）签订了一项研究，以评估最新的自动抄表（AMR），并探讨水资源管理者的兴趣和经验的技术。研究目标包括:1）调查水务管理人员对AMR的兴趣程度，评估正在进行的AMR活动，即试验和大规模部署。2） 综述了供水设施可采用的各种AMR技术。3） 从正在进行的试验和装置样本中汇编和评估数据。4） 制定决策框架，帮助水务管理人员评估和选择技术和部署策略。5） 开发经济、金融和利率影响分析模型。6） 设备兼容性评估（即一个制造商的组件与另一个制造商的合作程度）。 7） 评估公用事业和制造商之间标准化的重要性。8） 对标准制定程序的审查，以及制定AMR标准的建议框架。这些评估是基于密集的调查和采访工作。本文总结了一些关键发现。

In 1989 the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF) contracted a study to assess the state-of-the-art of automatic meter reading (AMR), and to explore water utility manager interest and experience with the technology. The study objectives included: 1) A survey of the level of interest in AMR among water utility managers, and an assessment of ongoing AMR activity, i.e., trials and large-scale deployments. 2) A review of the various technologies for AMR available to water utilities. 3) Compilation and evaluation of data from a sample of ongoing trials and installations. 4) Development of a decision making framework to help water utility managers evaluate and select among technologies and deployment strategies. 5) Development of a model for economic, financial, and rate impact analysis. 6) Assessment of equipment compatibility (i.e., to what extent will the components from one manufacturer work with another). 7) Assessment of the important of standardization among both utilities and manufacturers. 8) A review of standard setting procedures and a suggested framework for the development of AMR standards. The assessments were based on intensive surveying and interviewing efforts. This paper summarizes some of the key findings.