In 1992, an oil field technician realized that manually gathering field data was inefficient, costly and often incomplete. The solution was a patented communication system that effectively solved the information lag in the gas and oil industry. In the following years, Silversmith Data expanded its products and services to identify and develop information solutions for a variety of industries, including natural gas, oil, water distribution, water treatment, waste water filtration, and fire. To date, Silversmith has installed over 10,000 data collection sites across the United States and Canada.
This year has started off in challenging territory due to Covid-19 as most Water Departments are now closed to all visitors (including sales people). This isn’t the best time for a revolutionary, new product launch. However, we continue to press ahead with our life saving and water saving new product, Hydralert, and are making progress. It’s harder- but we’re determined to succeed because our technology is so important for Water Departments to embrace.
While physical sales calls are on hold we are using new technology to get or message out. It’s vital for municipal customers to upgrade their paper methods. Using Hydralert® in combination with AST means our new, more efficient technology can enhance their knowledge and control of their assets online and get real time feedback that they’ve never before had access to.
Silversmith’s new and efficient technology makes it possible to monitor hydrants, assets, create work orders and get feedback on tablets or mobile devices from anywhere, any time.
As Silversmith rolled into 2019 our sales in AST™ expanded dramatically. We have become known as the “easy to use” solution for Asset Management at Water Departments. Sales coverage was expanded into states adjacent to Michigan and Canada with outstanding results. In the Fourth quarter we began accepting initial orders for Hydralert®.
Following detailed engineering and diligent field testing, Hydralert™ is Silversmith’s newest, patented product, a “smart” hydrant mount designed to recognize and prevent freezing and water theft. An ideal complement for municipalities using the AST™ system, Hydralert uses cell technology for 24/7 data retrieval.
Silversmith’s corporate name was changed to Silversmith Data to recognize the changes in the industry and the impact of its data monitoring and maintenance products. Also in 2017, Silversmith Data introduced its AST™ (Asset Status Tracker) maintenance systems, designed with user-friendly technology to electronically record and track critical data for municipalities, fire departments and water treatment facilities. AST sites are growing throughout the United States and Canada.
Using its expertise in data monitoring communication, the company recognized a growing need for fire department water management. In 2014, Silversmith began developing technology focused on the world’s first “smart” fire hydrant, allowing remote, off-site 24/7 data retrieval and creating a new customer base among municipalities. Recognizing the potential for its products, Silversmith expanded its capabilities to include other types of water systems.
During this decade, Silversmith, Inc. launched a series of products in the oil and gas industries, setting national benchmarks and standards for remote monitoring.
Silversmith, Inc. commissioned an independent review of its gas measurement products with real-time testing by Ronald E. Beaty, Vice President of Engineering & Operations of Premier Measurement Services, Inc. Eighty-one results were calculated using AGA3 1992 formula and AGA8 Gross Method 2 formula, both using Silversmith's gas flow measurement products. The median results calculated a difference of only 0.0022. This finding by such an industry luminary, solidified Silversmith's reputation as a world-class manufacturer of gas measurement products.
Silversmith, Inc. released its first dual valve control unit with two solenoid valves to allow equalization of both tubing and casing pressures. The resulting decompression of the tubing allows more water to enter tubing for evacuation. Designed initially for gas lift timer applications, the increase in tubing water allowed the GLT to eject more water per cycle, resulting in a decreased number of GLT injections. The system also proved to be ideal for single flow line systems, allowing tubing pressure to reach the production line without interference from casing gas.
David Silvers partnered with entrepreneur/investor Jack Smith under the name Silversmith, Inc. The infusion of financial support allowed the company to hire employees and expand its research and development. With new metering products, including tank level monitoring and automated water disposal systems, Silversmith, Inc. expanded its sales across North America.
David Silvers was a young field technician servicing gas wells in northern Michigan. Concerned by the difficulty in gathering relevant well data in remote locations, he had, for the times, a radical idea: collecting important data through radio communication. Imagining a central server providing remote data access, Silvers began working on the concept at his kitchen table. The result was Silver Ideas. For the next 10 years, Silver Ideas began selling products and building a customer base.
Product Development:
Innovation at Work
Silversmith Data was born out of necessity with a desire to develop innovative solutions
for everyday industry challenges. What’s your challenge?
Recognizing that knowledge is revenue, Silversmith Data has been crafting information solutions for over 20 years. With more than 10,000 data collection sites and over a million data points across the continental United States and Canada, Silversmith Data has successfully assisted companies and municipalities in varying industries, both large and small, in implementing a wide range of real-time, remote systems, saving time and saving money.