Itron Joins Forces with Microsoft CityNext to Bring Innovation to Cities across the Globe

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.—Nov. 13, 2013—Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today its participation in Microsoft CityNext, a global initiative empowering cities, businesses and citizens to re-imagine their futures and cultivate vibrant communities. Through the CityNext initiative,Microsoft and Itron will help leaders to do "new with less," by combining the power of technology with innovative ideas to connect governments, businesses and citizens with city services that increase efficiencies, reduce costs, foster a more sustainable environment and cultivate communities where people thrive.

"As cities around the world face mass urbanization, shrinking budgets and the need to modernize infrastructure, recognizing the interdependency of energy and water and managing these precious resources is critical to ongoing economic prosperity, resource conservation and social well-being. Together with Microsoft, we are helping cities address this energy and water nexus through innovative ideas, approaches and technology," said Russ Vanos, Itron's senior vice president of strategy and corporate development.

Cities are centers of industrial, economic and entrepreneurial activity that fuel the rest of the world's success. But cities increasingly encounter compelling forces, such as rapid urbanization, modernization mandates and economic austerity pressures. Leveraging a broad portfolio of familiar and security-enhanced consumer-to-business software, partner solutions, devices and services and Microsoft's history of successful education and social programs, Microsoft CityNext is a collective effort that enables cities and their people to accomplish what's next. In addition to providing targeted solutions to meet local needs, the CityNext partner model also helps keep money in and grow the local economy.

"We're thrilled to partner with Itron on CityNext. Microsoft prioritizes putting people and partners first in our initiatives and CityNext is no different," said Laura Ipsen, corporate vice president Microsoft Worldwide Public Sector."Even though cities are feeling the strain from economic challenges, we believe a new era of innovation will create opportunities for people to utilize technology to accomplish what they never thought possible. We're inspired by our diverse partner ecosystem and know that working together we can help cities realize their full potential."

About Microsoft CityNext:
Microsoft CityNext is a global people-first initiative harnessing all the ideas, energy and expertise of a city's people as they create a healthier, safer, more sustainable place to live. Microsoft CityNext empowers cities to make the most of existing investments and find the right combination of solutions, apps and programs to transform cities’ infrastructure and operations, engage citizens and businesses by delivering personalized services and apps that foster real-time dialogue, and accelerate innovation and opportunity through programs and partnerships that empower and nurture the next generation of skilled workers. Combining a vast network of global partners and history of successful education and social programs, Microsoft CityNext helps cities with what’s next.