JCE CO-OP, a long-standing utility provider in their local community, embarked on an ambitious journey to become a leading broadband provider, leveraging their existing infrastructure and a strong commitment to their members. Facing a very aggressive fiber optic buildout schedule, particularly fueled by a significant grant requiring the deployment of 1,200 miles of fiber to connect approximately 5,000 new subscribers within two years, JCE CO-OP recognized the critical need for efficient and accurate network management.
This case study explores how the adoption and strategic use of the VETRO Mobile application has been instrumental in enabling JCE CO-OP to manage the complexities of this rapid expansion, improve operational efficiency, and enhance data accuracy across their diverse teams and projects.
Background
Ryan Randecker, Manager of Broadband Operations at JCE CO-OP, oversees a multifaceted department encompassing internal field crews (installers, technicians, staking and design, in-house construction) and the management of 7 to 12 external contractors. This complex environment involves numerous simultaneous projects, ranging from drop installations to mainline construction and engineering.
JCE CO-OP’s foray into broadband began with wireless in 2009, primarily for internal utility communications. Driven by local demand, they evolved into a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) and then made a strategic shift towards fiber in 2016. This transition has been marked by significant growth, escalating from zero fiber subscribers in 2016 to a projected 20,000 by 2027. The recent substantial grant has further accelerated their expansion plans, demanding an unprecedented pace of deployment.
The Challenge: Managing Rapid Expansion and Data Accuracy
The aggressive buildout schedule presented JCE CO-OP with several key challenges:
- Coordination of Multiple Teams: Managing internal crews and numerous external contractors across various projects simultaneously required seamless communication and data flow.
- Maintaining Accurate As-Built Records: The sheer volume and speed of construction made it difficult to keep network maps and asset information up-to-date using traditional methods. The initial use of their GIS platform was rudimentary, leading to significant data gaps.
- Efficient Design and Material Management: The need to quickly design new network segments, generate accurate bills of materials, and integrate with staking software was crucial for timely procurement and deployment.
- Real-time Field Updates and Quality Control: Ensuring that discrepancies between planned designs and actual field conditions were captured and corrected promptly was vital for network reliability and future troubleshooting.
- Improving Communication and Reducing Errors: Relying on verbal communication for field updates often led to misunderstandings and delays.
The Solution: Leveraging VETRO Mobile
JCE CO-OP adopted VETRO, a GIS platform specifically designed for fiber networks, with the initial implementation focusing on basic mapping. However, the transition to fully utilizing VETRO’s capabilities was greatly aided by their customer support. Ryan emphasized the crucial role of VETRO’s support team, stating, “Our customer support representative has been a godsend. At the beginning, she answered a lot of questions that may have been self-explanatory but I didn’t know anything yet. She showed me how things worked with data imports and exports and how it needed to be built to have the features work, especially with the tracing.” This dedicated support was instrumental in enabling JCE CO-OP to move beyond basic mapping and unlock the full potential of the VETRO platform, including the eventual adoption and effective use of VETRO Mobile.
Ryan recognized the potential of VETRO Mobile to bridge the gap between the office and the field, enabling real-time data capture and communication. Key ways in which JCE CO-OP leverages VETRO Mobile include:
Real-time Field Updates and Corrections: Field technicians and contractors can directly update the network map in real-time using the mobile app. This includes drawing routes, marking the location of ducts and handholes, and noting any deviations from the original design. This immediate feedback loop allows for quick corrections and ensures the digital twin of the network remains accurate.
Improved Communication and Coordination: The visual nature of the mobile app facilitates clear communication. Field personnel can mark issues (e.g., a splice case hanging improperly) directly on the map, which is instantly visible to the office team. This eliminates the ambiguity of verbal descriptions and streamlines the process of creating and tracking service orders for necessary fixes.
Enhanced Quality Control: Field inspectors utilize VETRO Mobile to verify completed construction against the design. They can mark tasks as complete, inspect installations, and record relevant details directly within the app, providing a digital audit trail and ensuring quality standards are met.
Streamlined As-Built Documentation: By enabling continuous updates from the field, VETRO Mobile ensures that as-built records are more accurate and readily available. This eliminates the backlog of manually updating maps after construction, saving significant time and effort.
Faster Issue Resolution and Troubleshooting: The improved accuracy of the network map, facilitated by VETRO Mobile, has significantly aided in troubleshooting outages. As demonstrated by the squirrel-related outage, precise mapping allowed the team to pinpoint the fault location quickly, reducing downtime and improving customer satisfaction. Ryan emphasized this benefit, stating, “VETROMobile gave us the location of where it was damaged which saved us hours of trying to walk out footage numbers.”
Potential for Future Serviceability and Customer Engagement: While not fully implemented, JCE CO-OP envisions leveraging the accurate mapping data in VETRO to enhance serviceability checks for potential customers and potentially integrate with their website to provide a visual representation of their fiber network.
Impact and Results
The adoption and effective use of VETRO Mobile have yielded significant benefits for JC Cooperative, directly contributing to their ability to manage their aggressive buildout schedule:
- Increased Efficiency: Real-time data updates and improved communication have streamlined workflows, reducing delays and the need for rework.
- Improved Data Accuracy: Direct input from the field has significantly enhanced the accuracy of their network map, providing a reliable “single source of truth.”
- Enhanced Coordination: VETRO Mobile has facilitated better collaboration and information sharing between internal teams and external contractors.
- Faster Troubleshooting: Accurate mapping data enables quicker identification and resolution of network issues, minimizing service disruptions.
- Better Resource Allocation: The ability to visualize the network and track progress in real-time allows for more efficient allocation of resources and personnel.
- Scalability for Future Growth: With a robust and accurate network management system in place, JC Cooperative is better positioned to handle the ongoing and future phases of their ambitious expansion.
"I don't want to live in a world where I don’t have VETRO - I just love it."
JCE CO-OP’s experience highlights the transformative impact of a well-implemented mobile GIS solution like VETRO Mobile in managing aggressive telecommunications infrastructure buildouts. By empowering field teams to contribute directly to the accuracy of the network map and facilitating real-time communication, JCE CO-OP has overcome the challenges of coordinating multiple projects and maintaining data integrity during a period of rapid growth. As Ryan succinctly put it, regarding the value of VETRO, “I don’t want to live in a world where I don’t have VETRO – I just love it.”
The initial guidance and ongoing support from VETRO’s team played a vital role in enabling JCE CO-OP to fully leverage the platform. While they continue to refine their processes and explore further integration with other systems, VETRO Mobile has proven to be a crucial tool in their arsenal, enabling them to meet their ambitious expansion goals and deliver high-speed broadband to their growing member base. The reliance on accurate data, facilitated by VETRO Mobile, is not just an efficiency gain but a foundational element for the long-term success and sustainability of JCE CO-OP’s fiber network.
About VETRO
At VETRO, we believe visualizing data unlocks hidden potential, radically simplifying the way businesses operate and digitizing the future of connectivity. We focus on empowering network operators with unparalleled clarity and control over their fiber networks, enabling them to move faster, better, and more efficiently than ever before. Our revolutionary platform isn’t just software – it’s the physical network asset system of record, offering unprecedented visibility and control from strategic planning to daily operations. We empower our customers to bridge the digital divide at a rapid pace, unlock unforeseen opportunities, and squeeze the maximum value from their networks. Let’s illuminate the unseen, digitize the way we connect, and shape the future of connectivity, together!
