Challenge
An increased demand for power and water due to a growing population challenged Phoenix-based Salt River Project (SRP) to improve communication between fleet vehicles and the main office.
Solution
Install mobile data computers with integrated wireless communications that allow mobile workers to complete work orders in the field.
Benefits
Employees no longer need to travel to and from the main office to complete their work. GPS allows SRP to monitor the location and status of those vehicles equipped with this technology.
The heat of the Arizona sun is unrelenting, as is the demand for power and water by the ever-expanding Phoenix-metro population. The growing demand is only one of the challenges that faced the SRP when its staff started working with Portable Computer Systems (PCS). There’s not much that can be done to relieve the heat, but thanks to PCS, SRP has relieved itself of communication problems in the field by deploying mobile data in their utility vehicle fleet.
SRP was established in 1903 as the nation's first multi-purpose reclamation project authorized under the National Reclamation Act. Today it is the nation’s third-largest public power utility and one of Arizona's largest water suppliers. SRP provides power to customers throughout a 2,900-square-mile service territory in central Arizona.
PCS worked closely with SRP, outfitting over 200 utility trucks with Panasonic Toughbook CF-29, complete with integrated Verizon Wireless communications.
The wireless-ready Toughbook CF-29 is the industry's fastest fully-rugged notebook PC. It has a sealed, full magnesium-alloy case and shock-mounted hard drive. With an anti-reflective, outdoor-readable LCD and optional backlit keyboard, it also ensures easy viewing in any light. The units are mounted in the vehicles with Precision and LEDCO mounting products.
The PCS solution provides SRP the ability to send work orders directly to the vehicles speeding up the deployment of water and electrical maintenance officers to specific problems around the valley due to maintenance issues. Employees are able to complete their work orders in the field, thus eliminating unnecessary trips to and from the main office.
Other applications include mapping, testing applications, timekeeping and the ability of the mobile employee to remotely access applications from their laptop computers using secure wireless data. Approximately 40 of the vehicles are outfitted with a GPS unit that enables SRP to monitor the location and status of its fleet.
In regards to working with PCS, Roger Baker, Principal Engineer and Asset Information Technology Services at SRP said, "The excellent working relationship we've developed with PCS helped SRP to implement successful mobile computing projects that have provided benefits across the board for improved worker efficiencies and customer service."
Kathy Pakkebier, President of PCS, agreed with Baker. “The strong relationship between the PCS team and the professionals at SRP enabled us to assist SRP with all aspects of their mobile data project. Projects are not always seamless, but thanks to the professionalism and trust that SRP has given us, we have been able to not only implement this large data rollout, but also know with confidence that each and every vehicle is using the equipment to its fullest capability."
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- Toughbook 29
- Verizon Integration
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