MOTOTRBO™ with Bluetooth® Data Transforms Operations for Callaway Electric Cooperative

Schaumburg, Ill. – June 4, 2013 – Callaway Electric Cooperative needed to update its fleet of analog radios before the January 2013 FCC narrowbanding deadline. Callaway is a member-owned cooperative that distributes power to almost 13,000 residential, agricultural and commercial customers across central Missouri. The cooperative selected a solution tailor-made for utility companies: MOTOTRBO™ digital two-way radios with integrated Bluetooth® data and National Information Solutions Cooperative’s (NISC) mobile workforce management software.

The deployment and integration of MOTOTRBO radios from Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI) and NISC’s software applications were easy and affordable, resulting in improvements for Callaway Electric’s workflow, mobile workforce and ultimately, its members.

Local Motorola channel partner, Rayfield Communications, Inc. explored many alternatives with Callaway Electric. One of the key advantages of MOTOTRBO is the ability to send data over the radio network. The typical solution is to use cellular, but cellular coverage is very poor in a large portion of rural Missouri due to its rough terrain. MOTOTRBO radios provide better coverage for both voice and data, ensuring constant, reliable communications for Callaway’s field workers.

KEY FACTS

• Callaway Electric uses MOTOTRBO digital radios with NISC mobile applications to provide an integrated mobile workforce management process.
• NISC’s Mobile WorkForce enables Callaway employees to access service order scheduling information from the field, alleviating lost or incorrect paperwork since tasks are managed electronically.
• Field employees connect their MOTOTRBO radios via Bluetooth to their laptops so service orders can be sent over the radio network back to the office, at no cost.
• Additional service requests can be pushed out to the mobile workers throughout the day reducing cycle times and increasing overall productivity.
• Customer service representatives have real-time communication with field workers and can complete and close service orders electronically. They do not have to wait until the end of the day to receive paperwork; the total service order process is paperless.

SUPPORTING QUOTES

Tom W. Howard, CEO/General Manager, Callaway Electric Cooperative

“Whether crews are working in a severe storm or on a simple meter change, MOTOTRBO is the lifeline for our workers’ safety, health and well-being. It allows them to do their jobs safely and efficiently and restore service to our members as quickly as possible. Ultimately, the most cost-effective, reliable method we have to communicate with workers in our trucks is with MOTOTRBO radios.”

Hal Herron, vice president, North America Radio Solutions Channels, Motorola Solutions

“With its new MOTOTRBO system, Callaway Electric is seeing significant improvements from one end of its service area to the other. Today, the cooperative saves time and delivers better service by reacting faster to unscheduled events and rapidly dispatching tasks to field workers in real time.”

Todd Eisenhauer, Vice President Engineering and Operations, NISC

“As an information technology organization, it is our job to understand the challenges our member/owners face and create solutions that work the way they work. By teaming with Motorola Solutions, we are able to provide greater efficiencies through improved communication and technology. When you have people working on the line, having an easy, reliable communication tool is extremely important.”

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

Callaway Electric Cooperative Case Study

Callaway Electric Cooperative Video Case Study

ABOUT CALLAWAY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

People in rural Callaway and southern Montgomery Counties formed Callaway Electric Cooperative with membership fees and Rural Electrification Administration (REA) funds in 1936. The Cooperative is made up of nearly 13,000 residential, agricultural, and small and large commercial meters. Members share ownership in electric lines, power plants and substations. Callaway Electric's power supplier, Associated Electric Cooperative, is the third largest in Missouri. For more information about Callaway visit: www.callawayelectric.com.

ABOUT NISC

National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) is an information technology company that develops and supports software and hardware solutions for utility cooperatives and telecommunications companies nationwide. NISC’s integrated IT solutions include consumer and subscriber billing, accounting, engineering and operations. For more information about NISC visit: www.nisc.coop.

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