MeterBeam vs FM Audit

FM Audit (owned by ECI Software Solutions) is one of the longest-standing data collection platforms in the managed print world. It's capable, widely integrated, and deeply tied into ECI's dealer ERP ecosystem (e-automate). It's also a product many dealers describe the same way: powerful, but heavyweight — enterprise contracts, per-device costs that add up, and a feature surface built for large MPS programs.

MeterBeam comes from the opposite direction: built inside a working copier dealership to run its own managed fleets, focused on the core loop that actually matters day to day — collect meters, watch toner, tell you exactly what to ship, where, and when.

Side by side

 MeterBeamFM Audit
Automated meter collection✓ SNMP, multi-brand✓ SNMP, multi-brand
Toner / supply monitoring✓ with days-to-empty forecasting
Built forDealers, MSPs, and in-house IT teamsPrimarily dealers and large MPS programs
ERP integrationsRoadmap — API-first design✓ Deep e-automate / ECI ecosystem
Setup complexityLightweight agent, up and running in under an hourEnterprise onboarding; DCA install issues are a known support topic
PricingFounder pricing for early partners — simple, no long contractsQuote-based, per-device; typically annual contracts
CompanyIndependent, dealer-foundedPart of ECI's large software portfolio
SupportDirect line to the people who build itEnterprise ticket queue

Comparison based on publicly available information as of July 2026. FM Audit is a trademark of its respective owner; MeterBeam is not affiliated with or endorsed by ECI Software Solutions. Spotted an error? Email info@meterbeam.com and we'll fix it.

The honest take

If you're a large dealership already running e-automate and you need deep ERP-integrated billing across thousands of devices, FM Audit is a rational choice — that integration is real and MeterBeam doesn't replicate it today.

If you're a small-to-mid dealer, an MSP adding print to your stack, or an IT team managing your own fleet — and what you actually need is reliable meters, toner that ships itself, and pricing that doesn't feel like a second lease — that's exactly the gap MeterBeam was built to fill.

New to fleet monitoring? Start with what a DCA is and how automatic toner replenishment works.

Looking at alternatives?

MeterBeam is onboarding early partners now. Founder pricing, direct line to the builders.

Request early access