Zetron Calls in RACOM

As a licensed distributor for Zetron equipment, RACOM often recommends and installs Zetron solutions. But in an interesting twist, Zetron called on RACOM for a major job.

Zetron was tasked with replacing 30 dispatch consoles at three data centers for Alliant Energy, a Midwest utility providing services to more than 1.4 million customers in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

“The project utilizes a Zetron AcomEVO system that covers four dispatch locations and includes 34 full-featured console positions and 31 remote positions located throughout Iowa and Wisconsin,” says Zetron project manager David Christy. “The AcomEVO system interfaces with multiple legacy radio equipment and telephones and will be capable of transitioning to new technologies such as DMR [digital mobile radio],” he adds.

Zetron contracted RACOM to handle the physical console position installations at Cedar Rapids and Dubuque, Iowa, and also in Janesville, Wisconsin. RACOM also provided Motorola iDEN radios, Motorola SmartZone radios, and integration services for the Max Dispatch interface to Alliant Energy’s radio system.

“RACOM was instrumental in the deployment and systems integration of an extensive project for Alliant Energy,” says Christy. “RACOM was uniquely qualified to provide the on-the-ground support necessary to make the project successful.“

RACOM’s Brian Placke says this is the first phase of a much needed upgrade to a radio system that’s about 20 years old. “This is our first work with Alliant,” he says. “The new Zetron AcomEVO consoles improve interoperability, and the 50 radios we provided interface the new consoles to the existing radio network.”

RACOM’s work was completed in April, and Placke says that while there’s more to be done, this first phase already has had a significant impact on Alliant’s dispatch functions. “The biggest advantage is that now they have a fully functioning, centrally located back-up center so they can dispatch all of their Iowa and Wisconsin people from any of their three centers,” says Placke.

With an existing radio system that includes a mix of iDEN, Smartnet, and Conventional, interfacing to these legacy systems along with telephone will ensure compatibility until the rest of the system is upgraded — a multi-year project that might well involve RACOM again.

“Alliant chose well with Zetron,” says Placke, adding that RACOM was proud to be part of the mix. “We’re pleased to have earned Zetron’s trust and to be part of making this critical infrastructure upgrade a reality.”