SCEC is committed to staying current with technologies available to our industry. This effort is driven by one of the goals put forth by our Board of Directors to “challenge employees to streamline processes and create efficiencies.”
Implementing technology toward that goal can also decrease costs for the co-op – and you, our members. Below are some examples of the new technologies we have added.
ASV Compact Track Loader
SCEC purchased an ASV (All-Surface Vehicle) last year that now includes an auger attachment that can dig holes for new power poles as well as a rotating claw attachment to pull and set poles. The major benefit of this vehicle is it can go where the trucks can’t – not all places the line crews are working are level and easy to get to. In the past they had to bring the truck into the ditch and find a place to stabilize it. That isn’t always possible where there is a deep ditch. It also eliminates the need to go onto people’s property with a truck.
According to SCEC Operations Manager Rob Dooley, he’s received very positive reports so far: “They said it digs holes three times faster than the digger truck, and crews can set the truck up on the road to set the pole, staying out of the ditches.”
Our lineworkers are also finding it much quicker to remove old poles where underground wires are being laid. Before, because it wasn’t known if the trucks could handle the load of pulling the poles directly, workers had to dig around the pole by hand and only use the trucks to lift the poles. The ASV can go into the ditch and pull the pole out of the ground and then rotate it horizontally to drive it out of the area. After the pole is removed, the bucket is used to fill the hole and clean up the area. All this is done by one person.
Our lineworkers work in challenging environments and this vehicle can handle them all. It’s built for comfort and safety – providing a smooth ride with a heavy-duty cab, a falling object protective structure and reinforced impact-resistant windows.
Better Recycling Experience
The process for dropping off your recycling has been streamlined thanks to technology upgrades. When you pull up to Door 4 with your recyclables and ring the bell, an alert is sent right to the cell phone of the person who will come out and assist you with your drop-off. In the past, you were required to stop by the office to alert someone and then drive around to the back, or an employee had to be always near the gate to be ready to receive drop-offs. Now, with the direct notification, it eliminates a step and frees employees to attend to other activities between drop offs.
Multiple Ways to Access Account and Order Information
The NISC (National Information Solutions Cooperative) enterprise system implemented a year ago, supplemented by hardware additions and upgrades, continues to increase our efficiency.
You as a member can access and manage your own account information with the SmartHub app on your smartphone or tablet or by logging in through our website scecnet.net.
Out in the field, our Operations staff and Line Crew use iPads to access and document information that in the past was often done by hand on paper that then was updated when they returned to the office at the end of the day.
While connected to the network inside our headquarters in Hammond, our Office staff can access several modules and programs simultaneously, thanks to a combination of NISC software, high-speed internet and three monitors at every workstation.
We continue to explore other available technological opportunities that can increase our efficiency, allowing us to provide high-quality service at the lowest cost.