We are excited to welcome Pierce Pepin to the VETRO family!
And what better way to welcome them than to sit down with Nate Boettcher, President & CEO of Pierce Pepin, for Five Questions with our Fiber Family!
Five Questions with Pierce Pepin
1. How did you got into the business of fiber internet?
For the past 10-15 years our community has struggled with finding a path to bring affordable and reliable high-speed internet to our area. The PPCS board of directors supported a plan that was provided by our management team allowing. PPCS to take advantage of funding through the WI Public Service Commission along with federal programs. PPCS felt it was sort of a now or never aspect to solving this critical need.
2. So, what’s going on with Pierce Pepin — any news, milestones, achievements – what’s coming up next?
In just 15 months we built 600 miles of fiber. By the end of this year we will have passed 6,000 homes and businesses along with building another 250 miles of fiber. We connected our first customer on January 31, 2022 and just before the end of 2022, we had connected our 1,000 customer.
3. What plans/projects did you have in motion when you started shopping for fiber management software?
We started looking at fiber management software before we had even constructed our first mile of fiber. We knew that once construction was completed, we were going to need technology to help us manage and maintain the fiber assets. It became more apparent once we received grants for our second phase that keeping track of our projects were going to be crucial to ensure our long-term success.
4. Why did you choose VETRO?
We spent a healthy amount of time reviewing offerings from several technology companies, including those who we had long-standing relationships with that could add fiber mapping to our existing software. However, in the end, we needed a solution that was purpose built for fiber, would allow us to more closely develop our fiber maps, and would be user friendly. The VETRO platform stood out and the fact that it was cloud based ensured that we could use it in the office, the field or remotely. The VETRO licensing model and platform ensures that everyone from our GIS technician, contractors, front office staff and management can quickly view the fiber system.
". . . we needed a solution that was purpose built for fiber, would allow us to more closely develop our fiber maps, and would be user friendly. The VETRO platform stood out and the fact that it was cloud based ensured that we could use it in the office, the field or remotely.
5. How do you use VETRO FiberMap?
We will be using VETRO setup our current fiber assets. We are also looking forward to using it for design for extensions of service where we may have previously not provided service. We like that we can quickly build maps for grants and proposals, even getting a sense about what a project may cost us.
About VETRO, Inc.
VETRO builds software that makes it radically simpler and faster for broadband providers to plan, design, deploy, and operate their fiber optic networks. Our map-based SaaS platform is easier to use and more powerful than traditional tools, and enables network owners, operators and sponsors to benefit from a modern, integrated, and connected digital hub for their physical network assets. We deliver Internet Infrastructure Intelligence.
