Archive for the ‘Case Study’ is_category>

EA Networks’ key corporate objectives are to distribute power more reliably, improve the safety of their workforce and operate their business as effectively as possible.

Increased worker safety with location services & network performance

Project Summary

---

The Client

EA Networks owns and operates the electricity distribution network and an advanced fiber-optic communications network for the mid-Canterbury region, delivering power to approximately 17,450 consumers through almost 1,864 miles (3,000km) of distribution lines.

---

The Challenge​

The power plant had operated four separate radio systems and coverage had been poor because of the types of buildings on site.

---

The System

EA Networks had a dual objective: to make its workforce safer and, at the same time, more efficient. Historically, it had operated a conventional analog radio network and chose to work with Tait to migrate to a digital solution that could bring them the benefits of new features such as location services and enhanced data capabilities.

---

Outcomes

Tait and EA Networks worked together to design an incremental system rollout strategy that included:

• Replacement of their aging analogue network with a five-site DMR Tier 3 trunked network.
• Location services, with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), to boost visibility of their mobile workforce. Full visibility of their fleet and workers means EA can respond quickly to incidents in the field and maintain service for their customers.
• Integration with a dispatch application, replacing control-room based radio equipment.
• Site capacity planning to support future data applications such as Distribution SCADA (D-SCADA).

A transitional solution delivered incremental field force voice communications and efficiency gains, which means power outages are now restored more quickly and grid performance is better maintained. Improved communications also means field workers are safer and more connected. Integration and deployment of SCADA data services across the DMR network realises the final step to a mission critical, voice and data DMR network deployment.

Tait GridLink passes standards-based SCADA protocols such as DNP3 across the DMR network, for visibility and control of remote RTU devices over the network. EA’s ongoing distribution automation program will incrementally improve grid reliability to remote or inaccessible locations that will pave the way for a self-healing grid architecture. This incremental approach involves:

• Bringing line fault and status metrics into the control room to speed up remote fault identification and lower the cost of truck rolls.
• Managing remote SCADA devices such as reclosers to rapidly isolate and restore service, improve SAIDI/CAIDI metrics and lower compliance risk.
• Introducing self-healing control room mechanisms to automate power grid management. 

For Distribution Automation self-healing objectives to be effective, the control and communications sub-systems must be highly reliable and resilient.

EA plans to deploy up to 500 GridLink terminals leveraging the Tait DMR solution to fill out the large areas that fibre services will not reach. Tait also provides continuous network maintenance, monitoring and support for the solution

---

Needing to replace your aging analogue network?

Logic have got products, dealers and solutions to help you get the best outcomes.

Let us help you work through your solution. Contact Logic Wireless or find your local Logic Dealer today.

Case study provided by Tait Communications 

Logic Connect not only offers a fully integrated hybrid solution using two-way radio devices for critical comms and mobile network/Wi-Fi devices throughout the rest of the building, enabling the client to run their own 22 Bishopsgate apps and ChatterPTT on the same mobile device.

Logic Connect – a fully integrated hybrid critical communication solution

Image source: DBM Vircom

Project Summary

---

The Client

22 Bishopsgate is a commercial skyscraper in London’s financial district and stands at 278m tall with 62 stories. It’s one of the largest office buildings ever built in Britain. CSE Chatterbox selected Logic Wireless & the Logic Connect platform as their technology partner.

---

The Challenge​

How do you manage communications in such a large facility?

Peter Bicknell, Head of Engineering 22 Bishopsgate, JLL says “We wanted the system to be more about just voice and communications. And to offer other benefits to the Health and Safety and the operations of the building. CSE Chatterbox proposed a customised solution to allow us to monitor mobile and radio user locations throughout the building, to manage alerts and help co-ordinate staff more effectively in the event of an emergency.”

---

The System

How have you achieved a single view across staff health and safety?

“Our system has been designed for to incorporate features to specifically provide for the safety of those looking after the site. Including emergency alerting, indoor and outdoor location tracking and monitoring of personnel working in high risk areas.” Says Peter Bicknell, Head of Engineering 22 Bishopsgate, JLL.

Logic Connect tracks both Tait Digital radios and Sonim devices within the one platform. Logic Connect not only offers a fully integrated hybrid solution using two-way radio devices for critical comms and mobile network/Wi-Fi devices throughout the rest of the building, enabling the client to run their own 22 Bishopsgate apps and ChatterPTT on the same mobile device.

“Following consultation with CSE Chatterbox, we chose to deploy Sonim Ruggedised Mobile Handsets for our staff, using the POC application.”

---

Outcomes

How have you achieved system reliability so vital in a high profile facility like 22 Bishopsgate?

“In our control room, we use especially developed cloud based software platform, Logic Connect to track the location of mobiles devices and monitor and manage emergency alerts received from the devices. For people with roles in high risk areas a lone worker feature is included in the Logic Connect Software to provide even better safety monitoring and ensure prompt assistance is available in the event of an accident or an incident.” Says Peter.

Logic Connect also records all conversations made over Tait Radios and Sonim devices. Logic Connect can run on any authorised smart device and for the control 22 Bishopsgate chose to deploy this on a professional tablet device. This enabled a multi bearer, single view platform for workgroup safety and productivity.

---

Need a state of the art critical communications system to keep your team safe?

A state of the art building like 22 Bishopsgate deserves a state of the art critical communications system to keep staff and visitor staff everyday and in an emergency situation.

If Logic Connect sounds like a fit for your needs, read more here or Contact Logic today.

One of New Zealand’s largest infrastructure projects required a leaky feeder radio system with multiple mobile and portable units.

Communications For A Challenging Construction Environment

Project Summary

---

The Client

One of New Zealand’s biggest ever roading projects and longest road tunnel in the country, the Waterview Tunnel road of National Significance included 2 2.4km long tunnels, with a budget of $1.4 billion. The project was anticipated it would convey 70,000 vehicles a day on commissioning and play a major role in reducing critical gridlock issues in the Auckland region.

“As projects get bigger it can be tempting to amp up the complexity. But in fact you need it to stay relatively simple, given more people are often involved and the Tait & Hytera radios fitted the brief well. They are easy to use and extremely reliable”

---

The Challenge​

The Waterview connection project asked Dove Communications to supply a communications system for the construction phase of the project that would deliver:

• Communications between critical operations of tunnel boring and concrete ring placement teams.
• Direct emergency services communications between services and UHF tunnel radios/VHF radios.
• Communication with the cross tunnel emergency access culverts.
• Hands free gantry crane operation communications.
• Above ground coverage of 500m beyond each tunnel portal.
• Coverage over a challenging above ground construction site with  multiple height obstructions.

The tunnel environment was a damp, dusty challenging one with multiple staff requiring 2 way radios communications in a high noise, poor quality transmission environment. 

The equipment had to have the ability to integrate with a moving tunnel boring machine, and have the capacity to easily access emergency services. 

The operational demands on communications were made more challenging when the second tunnel was bored – this meant communication was also needed within the service culverts that were used as escape passages or to provide access to an emergency response team.

System reliability and integration both above and below ground was a critical factor in a challenging and lengthy project where health and safety of the work crews was of paramount importance.

---

The System

Dove Communications provided equipment, installation and backup on the Waterview project, with multiple components sourced from Logic Wireless.

Equipment included installing seven Tait repeaters, over 100 Tait TP8100/TP9300 portable radios, over 100 Hytera TM610 mobile radios, 10km of leaky feeder cable plus 25 bi-directional amplifiers.

The core of the tunnel communications was based on the installation of a PBE Mine Radio VHF Headend unit linked to a leaky feeder radio system to ensure complete signal dispersion throughout the tunnel space. This in turn had all radio communications linked to it. The leaky feeder cable was laid out behind the Tunnel Boring Machine via a drum, linked through a special rotary coupler. 

Cross band links and communications with emergency services UHF frequencies and tunnel VHF radios were installed via a quiet Emergency Response Team channel, ensuring two way conversations were isolated from the site wide emergency communications channel.

Portable System Focus On Reliability And Ruggedness
The decision to opt for Tait portable radios was driven by the brand’s reputation for being highly reliable and capable of operating day in day out in demanding environments.

The Hytera radios also offered good performance at an acceptable price point as a day to day communications tool, within a compact easy to use design. 

Technician Chris Grala said as the project increased in size with the addition of the second tunnel, it was critical to keep communication systems as simple as possible.

The Tait portable radios also came with the company’s well established reputation for bomb proof reliability and were used by the directional drilling team.  The handhelds operated seamlessly for days on end at the sharp end of the project, with its high levels of moisture and mud exposure.

A stand-alone Sonetic voice headset system was interfaced to the radio system, ensuring that in an emergency workers using the Vox headset could hear any emergency announcement. The system was placed on the boring machine, and used by the team placing tunnel ring segments, enabling exclusive communications between the boring and ring placement crews without the interruption of open channel communications from entire site.

A tailored solution was also provided to ensure a hands free communication ability in the large gantry cranes on site. This required installing a radio head set with a push to talk switch and a specially designed circuit board to interface with headset speaker, microphone and switch.

Above ground communications on the challenging concrete segment storage site involved installing an leaky feed line above ground, with aerial couples to boost communications in areas where signal was shaded.

“The noticeable difference in using this simulcast repeater is the seamless roaming. We could actually see radios roaming between repeaters to the strongest signal mid conversation. This is a step change from old technology where you had to finish a conversation before the radio would move to a nearer repeater. “

Andy Schmidt, Tunnel Safety Manager

---

The Outcome

---

About Dove Communications

Dove Radio Communications specialise in providing radio and communication products and services throughout New Zealand. Based in Hamilton and with 20 years experience in the mobile communications sector Dove has a dedicated team of sales and support specialists delivering the latest in high quality communications equipment across all industries. Dove’s client portfolio includes local government authorities, forestry, mining and utility companies, alongside transport, emergency and service organisations.

Dove Communications founder and managing director Kevin Dove is a Gold Award winner of the Motorola Dispatch and Solutions Award for Asia-Pacific, and an approved radio certifier for the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment – Radio Spectrum Management. Kevin leads his team in providing effective communication solutions by first understanding their clients’ business, and tailoring a solution to their needs. They are proud partners with Logic Wireless.

---

Got a challenging project to work through?

If you have a project where system reliability and integration both above and below ground is
a critical factor, then we’ve got products, dealers and solutions to help you get the best outcomes.

Let us help you work through your solution. Contact Logic or find your local Logic Dealer today.

Celebrating a decade of Crankworx, a world-class mountain biking event and communication operational excellence.

Thrills, Growth & Operational Efficiency

Photo Credit: Clint Trahan

Project Summary

---

The Client

The Crankworx World Tour is a multi-stop series of mountain bike festivals, bringing together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines.   

Crankworx took flight for the first time outside of North American and Europe, in Rotorua, 2015. With a mission to combine riding and the beauty of culture, the Rotorua event has now become known as the “soul” of Crankworx. 

Celebrating 10 years of operation, Crankworx Rotorua has become an important event in Rotorua’s tourism calendar. 2024 saw growth in engagement with over 440 athletes and a total of 38,000 visitations over the 10-day event. With a reported economic benefit to the region of around $3-5 million, it’s hugely successful and web-casted across the world.  

---

The Challenge​

Operating a large-scale event on the international stage takes a huge amount of planning, resource, and operational expertise—particularly with an extreme sport in remote forest locations. Communications and separate channel solutions were needed for general operations, medics, event management, marshalling, and TV production teams.   

Staged primarily at Skyline and the Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotorua, communications needed to be reliable and resilient across the two main remote sites, the wider Rotorua area, and for a duration of approximately 10 days.    

Crankworx Rotorua needed a partner to deliver a solution both reliable and purpose-built. Logic Wireless’ Dealer, Alcom Communications in Rotorua, first engaged with Crankworx Rotorua for the inaugural event in 2015. Over their successful 10-year relationship, Alcom was able to deliver Crankworx Rotorua a bespoke solution that worked for the challenging conditions of the sites.

Vernon Douglas, Alcom Business Owner, says, “With the event being staged across two areas which have little or no cell phone coverage, radio communications were essential to the smooth running of the event. Our team worked closely with the Crankworx team to clearly identify the specific requirements and then fine-tune and improve them for successive events.” 

---

The Solution

A 10-year partnership and a new DMR Tier 3 network solution 

From the initial engagement in 2015, it became clear to Alcom Communications that repeaters in the Forest and Skyline sites were necessary to deliver the desired outcome of event safety and reliable communications. While this enabled localised coverage at each site, it did not provide coverage between the sites. This was workable, until 2024 when the Alcom Connect DMR Tier 3 network was used for the first time, delivering seamless coverage across both sites and the wider Rotorua area. 

Vernon says, “Alcom Connect, the DMR Tier 3 network, allowed a more tailored solution: Seamless coverage across six talk groups (channels) while also allowing key personnel to make one-to-one calls and radio-to-phone calls.”   

Photo Credit: Clint Trahan

---

The Outcome

The best comms yet

Photo Credit: Clint Trahan

---

About Alcom Communications

Alcom Communications is a radio communications and network specialist based in Rotorua and servicing the Central North Island since 1987. Their key focus is providing innovative communication solutions for enhanced safety and operational effectiveness. 

Alcom Connect is a DMR VHF trunked radio network providing coverage and service where existing phone and network provision is inadequate. The Alcom Connect Network provides seamless communications across the Bay of Plenty/Waikato, Gisborne/East Coast, and Napier/Hawkes Bay regions.

---

Got a challenging project to work through?

If you have a project where system reliability and integration both above and below ground is
a critical factor, then we’ve got products, dealers and solutions to help you get the best outcomes.

Let us help you work through your solution. Contact Logic or find your local Logic Dealer today.

The new system allows the five different work-groups at the plant to communicate with each other and features an emergency-call option.

Increased coverage and improved communications

Image Source: Wikipedia

Project Summary

---

The Client

New Zealand’s largest thermal power station is operated by Genesis Power, in Huntly. It generates 1,000 megawatts of electricity from coal and gas.

---

The Challenge​

The power plant had operated four separate radio systems and coverage had been poor because of the types of buildings on site.

---

The System

A single TaitNet TN1100 site is now providing coverage around the 175 acre plant, along a 1.8 mile overland coal conveyer, and to ash ponds north of the plant.

Twenty-six Intrinsically Safe Tait portables are used on the system along with five Tait mobiles. One of the mobiles features dual control-heads, enabling staff on opposite sides of a control desk to operate it easily.

Two T1810 channel controllers (each capable of managing four channels) provide the system intelligence. The business may implement telephone interconnection in the future, which is possible with the TN1100. 

---

Outcomes

The new system allows the five different work-groups at the plant to communicate with each other and features an emergency-call option.

The old systems were voice only, while the new system provides data and PABX features as well as backup power and duplicated audio linking.

Tait and Genesis are also looking at extending the radio coverage to areas like the underground power-cable tunnels at the plant and the TN1100 system to support future expansion.

---

Needing a solution for your unique challenges?

Logic have got products, dealers and solutions to help you get the best outcomes.

Let us help you work through your challenges. Contact Logic Wireless or find your local Logic Dealer today.

Case study provided by Tait Communications.

MainPower needed a replacement system for their ageing 20 year old AM system that would give guaranteed coverage and low operating costs.

An economical, future proofed radio communications system

Project Summary

---

The Client

MainPower New Zealand Limited owns and operates the electricity distribution system throughout the North Canterbury and Kaikoura regions in New Zealand. It also supplies line maintenance services to more than 30,000 customers.

---

The Challenge​

MainPower needed a replacement system for their ageing 20 year old AM system that would give guaranteed coverage and low operating costs. The new system also needed to be a platform for future upgrades, ensuring the system could evolve with technology. With MainPower operating in over 11,000km of varying terrain, radio coverage is crucial in ensuring the safety of field workers.

---

The System

Three existing sites were upgraded with a further two solar sites built. Equipment batteries, solar panels, cabling and antennas were installed into the site enclosures. Helicopters delivered equipment, fixtures and concrete to remote hilltop sites. With such remote site locations, remote monitoring of the TB8100 base station/repeater has proven indispensable.

This enables both MainPower and Tait to dial into the base station to check performance while any faults or error messages are sent through the alarm reporting email notification system. A total of 86 TM8110 mobiles with standard microphones were installed in MainPower trucks and vehicles.

Over 100 staff were trained in using the radios. MainPower uses mobile features such as scanning, horn honk and Man Down. Scanning ensures voice communications always get through while horn honk notifies field staff of any calls missed. Man Down means the radio will automatically signal for help in the event of an emergency.

Excellent customer service was just as important to MainPower. “When Tait said they’d do something they did and there was never a problem with something getting out of control and them backing away from it,” says Peter Hurford, Network Manager for MainPower.

---

Outcomes

Better coverage across a wider terrain from a more reliable system makes it safer for field workers working on the lines. Low operating costs and the flexibility to adapt the system in the future provided the answer to MainPower’s need for an economic and upgradable system.

---

Needing a solution that’s tailored to your requirements and budget?

If you need to replace aging systems for guaranteed coverage that suits your budget, then we’ve got products, dealers and solutions to help you get the best outcomes.

Let us help you work through your challenges. Contact Logic or find your local Logic Dealer today.

Transitioning from Tait analogue to a digital system has provided the Hobbiton Movie Set
with clear and reliable voice communications.

Providing Communications for an iconic Tourist Attraction

Image sourced via Tait Communications

Project Summary

---

The Client

The Hobbiton Movie Set is one of New Zealand’s must-see tourist attractions, with iconic sets that featured in the Peter Jackson directed The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogy films. Occupying 12 acres in the midst of a working farm, and with over 200 staff members, the set sees up to 3,000 visitors a day in peak season. Fully guided tours take staff and visitors all over the site, often out of range of cellphone coverage. With current health and safety requirements and various groups of staff collaborating to create a seamless and authentic experience, reliable communication is a must.

---

The Challenge​

The Movie Set staff had an existing Tait analog radio network that operated on a single channel with no repeater, which made coordination a challenge when navigating a site filled with rolling hills. To coordinate amongst themselves, “we basically had to jump in a vehicle and drive around the site”, says Mitch King, Food and Beverage Manager. With business rapidly growing, better communications became an increasingly pressing need within and between various groups such as operations, food and beverage, and maintenance staff.

---

The System

Alcom Radio Communications, Rotorua was called in to advise. Ken Glass arranged to meet Mitch onsite to fully understand the operation’s communication needs. A portable repeater demonstration clearly showed how coverage and reliability could be enhanced by upgrading from the current analogue, single channel system to a customised digital multi-channel system. Alcom recommended and supplied a Tait DMR Tier 2 solution with TP9310 radios and a Hytera repeater. Now, the team works on three channels – tour guides are in one group, food and beverage staff in another, and the grounds and maintenance team are in the third. Supervisor radios are programmed to be able to monitor and priority call their teams if necessary, while colour-coded terminals facilitate ease of use and quick recognition for teams on the go.

---

Outcomes

Transitioning from Tait analog to a digital system has provided the Hobbiton Movie Set with clear and reliable voice communications. “Many others seeking to find a cost effective, customized communication system for improved operations and safety could benefit from this approach”, says Ken, from Alcom. “We were able to identify the issues and talk through solutions together before building the final system”. Mitch King adds that Hobbiton now has “coordinated communications across the whole site, which means a massive improvement in health and safety preparedness, and ability to respond to any incidents. Ultimately, the new radio system has made a huge difference in our ability to ensure a quality experience”.

---

Remote locations a challenge for you? Or thinking about moving from analogue to digital?

If your locations are remote or spread over a large area, or you think it’s time to move to digital, then we’ve got products, dealers and solutions to help you get the best outcomes.

Let us help you work through your challenges. Contact Logic or find your local Logic Dealer today.

Case study provided by Tait Communications.

A seven site IP linked simulcast VHF DMR network using Radio Activity Kairos base stations operating DMR voice communications provided critical communications for a world class multi sport challenge that traverses New Zealand, covering extremely remote and mountainous terrain.

Providing Communications for a Multi-Sport Challenge

Project Summary

---

The Client

Held every February in the South Island of New Zealand, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast World Multi-Sport Championships is one of the world’s longest running multi-sports events. Competitors, of which there are close to 1000 in 2017, complete the 243km course of running, cycling mountain running and kayaking stages as part of either a one or two day race. Ultimate Event Productions organises this iconic event.

---

The Challenge​

Ultimate Event Productions asked Outback Communications to supply a system to provide:

• Secure, reliable radio communications throughout the course
• High bandwidth live streaming video at 3 fps from multiple locations along the course route
• Secure WiFi
• Transmission of data from timing pads
• Secure integrated communications between radio and mobile phone users for event management team (PTT)

The reliability of communications is critical at this high profile event to ensure the health and safety of competitors, organisers and the general public. The rugged mountain terrain and white water rapids add to the physical challenge for competitors but increase the likelihood of health and safety incidents occurring. Some stages of the event take place on public roads so there is also the potential for accidents involving participants and other road users. The event organiser has a duty of care to competitors, spectators and the general public. Its reputation relies on providing safe, well-executed events so takes this very seriously.

From a commercial perspective, streaming of live coverage, media coverage, competitor communications to friends and family are all essential to amplifying the excitement of the event, creating awareness and ensuring its continued success. The competitor experience must be excellent, from receiving accurate timings to seeing that accidents are dealt with efficiently. A failure in a repeater for example could mean a delay in an air ambulance being despatched, which could be life threatening.

Covering such a vast area of operation is a challenge and the mountainous nature of the terrain added additional complications in terms of locating, servicing and removing infrastructure, most of which had to be done by helicopter.

---

The System

Outback Communications provided a seven site IP linked simulcast VHF DMR network using Radio Activity Kairos base stations operating simulcast DMR voice communications. The system was divided in to two separate networks, one for the east and one for the west of the course. An IP backbone also supported 11 timing stations and HD video streaming from seven in-field 1080P 30fps cameras along different stages of the course.

Outback was contracted and had to deliver the complete solution, including radio, IP linking, WiFi and video streaming within 8 weeks to meet the event start deadline.

This was the first time that multi site linking had been used for communications on the Coast to Coast event. Corey Weir, MD says, ‘We had experience of using the Radio Activity repeater on a smaller scale and were confident it was the right solution to propose. The repeaters really come into their own in this type of application where you need reliable coverage over a large area. The system provides great reception, unlike other systems that pick up signals reflecting off hard surfaces, creating a ‘ghosting’ effect or losing comms entirely, the Radio Activity repeater is able to distinguish the best signal and cancel out reflection interference.”

The repeater is exceptionally light, ruggedised and very compact. Being small and having a very low power requirement makes it ideal for running on solar power, especially where available daylight is limited.

Using simulcast also resulted in only one channel licence being needed for all seven repeater locations, making the system cheaper to licence than alternatives for multisite applications, which is obviously relevant where spectrum shortages are an issue.

The repeater network supported over 90 DMR radios. The nature of the event meant that it had to work with radios from multiple manufacturers, including Tait, Hytera and Motorola. WiFi hotspots at collection points provided access for media, retailers and competitors updating friends and family on their progress.

Outback used a PTT (push to talk) app to extend the coverage of the system to areas that, although not covered by the two-way radio system, were covered by cellular. Outback’s knowledge and experience in the application enabled them to tailor the user interface to suit the event organiser’s needs.

---

Critical Communications

---

Teamwork Delivers

Outback met the challenge of providing a system of the scale and complexity required by the Coast to Coast event in less than eight weeks and has rightfully secured the contract for providing their expertise, time and equipment for a further five years.

“Both Logic and Radio Activity supported us in delivering something really challenging in terms of scale and timing. Logic Wireless supplied the equipment programmed to our specification, we literally just installed it and that was it. No adjustment was required, which is both a relief and a huge cost and time saver, particularly when accessing most of the repeaters would have meant scrambling a helicopter.

The repeaters really delivered. The client noticed a difference in the quality of coverage versus previous years and the lack of interference between camera and radio usage. A smooth execution and good client feedback – everything we aim for.”

---

Remote locations a challenge for you? Or thinking about moving from analogue to digital?

If your locations are remote or spread over a large area, or you think it’s time to move to digital, then we’ve got products, dealers and solutions to help you get the best outcomes.

Let us help you work through your challenges. Contact Logic or find your local Logic Dealer today.

About Outback Communications

Full credit is due to Outback for rising to the challenge of providing this complex system with its extensive coverage and accessibility issues in such a short period of time. The successful delivery required considerable project management skills, a core strength for Outback, which also has considerable experience in providing communication solutions for sport events, including the Christchurch Marathon and the Le Race road bicycle event.

Thank you to Outback Communications for supporting us in creating this case study.

Gippsland Water’s catchment covers an area of over 5000 sq km. A Tait Tier 3 trunking system has provided a robust communication system for workers and improved health and safety.

Delivering Business Critical Communications in Remote Locations

Project Summary

---

The Client

CommSite customer, Gippsland Water delivers reliable, high-quality water, wastewater and waste recovery services to domestic and commercial clients across Central Gippsland in Victoria, Australia, which has a population of approximately 140,000 people. Gippsland Water provides water to nearly 65,000 properties and wastewater services to around 58,000 properties, including commercial customers in the dairy, energy, and pulp and paper industries.

---

The Challenge​

Gippsland Water’s operation covers sites in remote locations spread across an area of over 5,000 sq. km. Having a reliable communications system is essential to Gippsland:

• Workers are often working in remote locations so monitoring them and being aware of any issues is critical.
• The company’s operation involves a number of processing plants, which are dangerous by nature making quick, clear communication vital should an incident occur.
• For utility businesses like Gippsland there is the potential for an incident to not only impact staff but to also affect a vast number of consumers very quickly so it is imperative that they react promptly and effectively if the service is threatened, and communications are key in achieving this.

The existing Tait system at Gippsland Water was over 15 years old and used analogue radios.

Updating the system presented the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of digital radio, providing for a reliable voice, health and safety communications solution.

---

The System

Gippsland initially requested an upgraded system using digital radios to serve 120 key personnel. 18 months after the successful initial installation Gippsland Water continues to migrate additional staff to the DMR network, reducing reliance on other communications means, for example cell phones.

The solution CommSite has provided to Gippsland Water comprises a multisite Tait DMR Tier 3 trunking system, which offers the flexibility to make individual or group calls, location reporting and call prioritisation and Crosswire software providing voice dispatch, call recording, text messaging and location services. Crosswire is a fully featured radio management solution designed to maximise the capability of the Tait Tier 3 platform. The radio system supports Tait 9300 digital radios, which are extremely rugged and ideal for this type of application. Built-in GPS tracking in the TP9300 portable radios used with Crosswire makes it possible to track the location of radio users so that, in the event of an incident, help can be quickly dispatched. The system also includes a large number of Tait TM9300 in-vehicle mobile radios.

CommSite installed one main control at three Gippsland Water with a second disaster recovery centre located away from the main offices, with a redundant network controller and Crosswire installation. Using a software dispatch solution allows for high flexibility allowing dispatchers to operate anywhere there is an IP connection to the radio system.

The solution provided by CommSite can be easily expanded to cover a wider area if required, and using centralised network control, new radio users can easily be added. The dispatch system can be easily expanded and additional software solutions can be added, for example the EnableFleet asset management platform from Tait.

CommSite, supported by Logic Wireless, provides maintenance and support for the Crosswire despatch systems used by Gippsland.

---

Providing For Business Continuity

A vast number of people rely on Gippsland for their water supply, which creates the need for robust business continuity planning. Gippsland has a full replica of the Crosswire dispatch system provided by CommSite at its disaster recovery site. This can be brought into action immediately if required to communicate with and monitor radio users.

---

Remote locations a challenge for you? Or thinking about moving from analogue to digital?

If your locations are remote or spread over a large area, or you think it’s time to move to digital, then we’ve got products, dealers and solutions to help you get the best outcomes.

Let us help you work through your challenges. Contact Logic or find your local Logic Dealer today.