At Schulte Supply, we’re committed to bringing innovative, high-performance solutions that help our customers optimize their operations and infrastructure performance. That’s why we’re excited to announce our new partnership with Orbis Intelligent Systems to offer the industry-leading Orbis SmartCap — a smart, sensor-driven technology that transforms traditional water infrastructure into intelligent, data-enabled assets.
What is Orbis SmartCap?
The Orbis SmartCap is an advanced monitoring device designed to retrofit standard fire hydrants and convert them into real-time data collection nodes within a water distribution network. Rather than replacing existing infrastructure, SmartCaps simply replace the pumper nozzle cap on a hydrant, delivering sensor capabilities without impacting normal fire service operations.
Once installed, a SmartCap becomes a multi-sensor monitoring hub, continuously collecting and transmitting critical metrics such as:
- Leak detection signals through acoustic analysis
- Flow and pressure changes in the pipeline
- Tamper events and environmental changes
- GPS location and timestamp data for precise network tracking
The device uses CAT M1 cellular connectivity to transmit data securely and efficiently to the cloud, enabling remote monitoring without additional infrastructure upgrades.
How SmartCaps Enhance Utility Operations
SmartCaps are engineered to support a shift from reactive maintenance to data-driven proactive operations. They empower utilities and municipalities by delivering high-resolution insights that help to:
🔍 Detect and Pinpoint Leaks Early
Traditional leak detection often relies on visual inspections or infrequent survey methods. SmartCaps’ acoustic sensors listen continuously for anomalies in pipe sounds, enabling much earlier leak identification — including hidden underground leaks that could otherwise remain undetected for weeks or months.
📊 Turn Data Into Actionable Intelligence
Collected data is automatically uploaded to Orbis’s cloud-hosted Streamline Portal, where algorithmic models analyze metrics and generate scheduled reports and real-time alerts. This enables utility teams to quickly identify potential issues, determine priority responses, and optimize maintenance activities.
📍 Precise Location & Metadata
With built-in GPS and timestamping, SmartCaps tag each event with accurate location data — helping crews rapidly locate problem sites in the field. This reduces truck rolls, cuts operational costs, and improves response times.
Designed for Practical Deployment
SmartCaps are purpose-built for durability and ease of use:
- Non-invasive installation — Fits onto all standard hydrants, both wet and dry barrel types, without special tools.
- High-reliability communication via cellular networks ensures consistent data delivery even in challenging urban settings.
- Replaceable battery design supports long service life and ongoing performance.
- Above-ground installation avoids common signal loss issues faced by buried sensors.
These design choices make SmartCaps an efficient and scalable solution for utilities of all sizes.
Proven Results in the Field
SmartCap technology has already delivered measurable value in real-world deployments. For example, in Kansas City, municipal water teams installed over 150 SmartCaps and were able to identify more than 30 previously undetected leaks across their distribution system — enabling faster remediation and reducing non-revenue water loss.
Similarly, in Hartford’s Metropolitan District, SmartCaps helped locate multiple hidden leaks deep within the network, offering data that improved both maintenance planning and infrastructure resilience.
What This Partnership Means for Schulte Supply Customers
By partnering with Orbis, Schulte Supply adds an intelligent water monitoring solution to our product portfolio — one that helps utilities improve visibility, reduce water loss, and modernize their infrastructure without costly replacements.
Whether you’re fighting non-revenue water, enhancing asset management, or upgrading to smarter network operations, the Orbis SmartCap provides an advanced, practical tool to help you succeed.
