Keeping the Lights On: Satellite Tech in Utilities Management

What happens when the lights go out in your house? Ever have them go out in the entire neighborhood? What about the whole town or city? The state? What would happen if service suddenly stopped all together?

Utilities management is a huge job with billions of people depending on the outcome of how well each operation runs. A power outage that lasts just a few hours can cost people money in lost wages, cause refrigeration and frozen food loss, exacerbate health issues for people dependent on power for climate control or medical devices and much more.

It’s not just an inconvenience for people when they lose access to utilities. That’s why it’s so critical for utilities management to have reliable, consistent access to monitor their systems. Terrestrial solutions can be unreliable (especially in remote areas) and networks can get bogged down by excess traffic. In the event of an emergency, when you really need utilities to be working, communication lines can get clogged by a surge in traffic. This is where satellite solutions come in.

How Satellite Tech Works for Utilities

By using satellite technology, utility companies can have connectivity across their entire smart grid. Anywhere they need connectivity; satellite is there — whether it’s remote substations, remote customer locations or automatic reading collector sites. Using IP-based satellite communication systems integrated with core networks, utilities are meeting their smart grid objectives. They have a reliable and secure network solution that allows them to monitor their SCADA devices. They may also use satellite technology to extend their ability to use video surveillance, VOIP and corporate data access to substations that are inaccessible by terrestrial networks. Satellite also allows utilities to manage green energy sites in remote locations and backhaul smart meter data from aggregation sites.

Utility networks can also operate primarily on terrestrial networks and use satellite as emergency backup. Satellite solutions can give an alternative way to monitor SCADA and communicate with field crews in the event of a natural disaster or manmade event, to ensure minimal downtime of the smart grid.

Major Benefits of Satellite

Satellite provides many benefits for utilities because it’s:

• Easy to use – The technology is so user-friendly that just about anyone can deploy, monitor and optimize with minimal training.
• Reliable – Weather conditions, remote locations and traffic surges won’t affect the data reliability of the satellite network. Satellite networks are 99.9% reliable.
• Fast – Data rates with satellite have improved so much over the years that now they can support bandwidth-intensive real-time applications like VOIP and video streaming.
• Affordable – Satellite is no longer an expensive niche solution. It is widely used across many industries and has become a very affordable solution. The cost to operate a satellite feed is comparable to a terrestrial and cellular network cost structure.
• Flexible – Utilities can choose between outsourcing management (either partially or fully) of their satellite networks or building and operating their own. There’s a solution for every skill level and budget.

Satellite also:

• Increases safety – Field crews sometimes work in hazardous conditions and remote locations. With satellite technology, they can have increased connectivity and better lines to safety with satellite phones, push-to-talk solutions and GPS devices equipped with panic buttons.

• Enhances worker productivity – Constant access to the home office helps workers in the field check emails, update job orders, schedule work, send progress reports and more from anywhere in the field, which increases worker productivity.

When it comes to keeping the lights (and more) on, satellite is the go-to-tech. New York Mobile Satellite has that tech. Contact us today to get more information.

Headquartered in New York City, New York Mobile Satellite provides B2B wireless and satellite based telecommunication services, both mobile and fixed, to commercial enterprises around the globe, including banking, financial services, oil and gas, first responders, law enforcement, electric and water utilities, construction, sea ports, leisure boating, mining, cruise lines, media, shipping and container vessels, transportation, camping and hiking groups, rescue organizations, maritime communications, public safety markets and government sector, as well as for disaster recovery and humanitarian agencies. The Management Team has over 75 years of satellite and telecommunication experience. The company’s flexibility to custom design solutions and integrate various satellite communications technologies for customer and industry specific needs sets us apart from the competition. New York Mobile Satellite LLC is certified as a Veteran Owned business by the Veterans Administration.

Asset Tracking With Satellite

Think of this. You’re a logistics manager for a large trucking company and you realize one of your shipments has gone missing. Not only that, but you can’t get in touch with the driver or the supervisor because they both are out of cell phone range and apparently not in the truck. What do you do?

Organizations that operate fleets face several challenges when it comes to tracking their assets. Due to the mobile nature of fleets, it’s imperative to have connectivity wherever they may travel in order to track assets consistently. Organizations need to understand the exact location of their assets at all times, regardless of the location or environment so they can assess asset availability. They need to understand the status and security of all assets at all times. They also need to control assets to react to changing conditions.

Traditional terrestrial cellular communication has large dead zones where there is no connectivity. In remote locations, asset control is greatly reduced due to these dead zones. Having the GPS location of an asset doesn’t mean the driver has access to in-cab messaging and vehicle control, which helps maintain the driver’s awareness and the asset’s security.  

So what is an organization to do when they have a fleet of vehicles they need to track? The answer is satellite. Satellite technology hurdles the challenges of asset tracking due to its reliability, ease of use and consistent service even in the most remote areas. Satellite technology can easily be installed and maintained to help an organization manage its assets. 

What can satellite do to track assets?

Satellite technology provides great asset tracking performance. There are a variety of hardware units that work with asset management software so companies can chose the one that suits their budget and their business needs. Some software can track up to 40,000 live positions to make asset tracking a breeze, even for very large organizations. Satellite tracking software can be installed on many kinds of hardware, making it a very versatile option. 

Tracking assets via satellite technology is simple and can often be updated over the air so you don’t have any downtime when it’s time to update firmware. There are very safe options out there that give you voice and data access secure networks. The solutions are highly customizable so there is one to suit every organization’s needs. 

Options

Features available through asset tracking software vary by manufacturer, but could include some helpful options. Live tracking options are out there, which allow updates on assets’ locations every 15 minutes. Geo-fences are another option available. You can set up a geo-fence and know when an asset has entered or exited the perimeter you set up. You can also improve safety and security by establishing exceptions and receiving alerts that signal suspicious behavior.

Those in the trucking industry need to monitor their trailers even when they are unhooked to assure asset safety and security at all times. For those in this business, there are solutions available to monitor unhooked trailers. The hardware for these solutions runs on an internal battery with a long battery life, so unhooked trailers are monitored even when there is no power source for the tracking devices. These solutions can provide daily GPS information that is reported every 24 hours, or every 15 minutes if the asset is moved while the trailer is unhooked. Activity outside normal operating hours and locations can be tracked by email and SMS alerts. 

If you are looking for state of the art asset tracking technology, look no further than New York Mobile Satellite. We’ve got the solutions that will keep your assets safe. That translates to less loss and higher revenue for your organization. Contact us today.

Headquartered in New York City, New York Mobile Satellite provides B2B wireless and satellite based telecommunication services, both mobile and fixed, to commercial enterprises around the globe, including banking, financial services, oil and gas, first responders, law enforcement, electric and water utilities, construction, sea ports, leisure boating, mining, cruise lines, media, shipping and container vessels, transportation, camping and hiking groups, rescue organizations, maritime communications, public safety markets and government sector, as well as for disaster recovery and humanitarian agencies. The Management Team has over 75 years of satellite and telecommunication experience. The company’s flexibility to custom design solutions and integrate various satellite communications technologies for customer and industry specific needs sets us apart from the competition. New York Mobile Satellite LLC is certified as a Veteran Owned business by the Veterans Administration.

Because you need the money now!

Jonathan is an international tourist. He loves to travel, he loves to experience the exotic and he loves to spend money while he does it. And like many tourists, he sometimes finds he has depleted his cash. While this might not be a problem in most parts of the United States, many countries still operate largely on a cash basis. So Jonathan does what anyone else might do to get cash – he finds an ATM. Here’s the problem he encountered on his latest trip. The ATM was down. And so were the next three he found.

When you think of satellite solutions, generally you might think of highly mobile industries. Satellite solutions are frequently used in industries where workers are always on the go, like emergency first responders, members of the media, utility crews, gas and oil workers, miners and many more. But believe it or not, satellite applications are also helpful in more stationary businesses, like banks.

The banking industry presents its own set of challenges, like the need for constant, flawless connectivity, high-security and adaptability as the bank adds branches and ATMs Satellite technology can address all of these needs and more. Satellite can also enable areas of the world without terrestrial infrastructure to have the same access to banking that the rest of the world currently enjoys. Read on to see why satellite solutions for banking make perfect sense.

· Reliability – Satellite solutions can provide unsurpassed network reliability – 99 percent – that terrestrial networks just can’t beat. Terrestrial networks are vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters, geopolitical instability and limited reach. Satellite can provide reliable service that remains uncompromised by any of those factors. In today’s world of 24/7 banking, satellite can provide the connectivity that banks and customers need. In the event of a power outage, banks may even switch to power generators and continue to do business as usual.

· Streamlining – Satellite banking operations rely on a single operator, which gives them more control over their parameters. This dedicated operator can create a network that meets the exact needs of each financial institution and reduces the amount of people the bank needs to go through to resolve any issues. There is a single point of contact for development of the network, troubleshooting, training and maintenance. Satellite can provide managed services, with full monitoring and management of all terminals from multiple networks in a single platform.

· Extended reach – Satellite options give more customers in remote and rural areas access to the banking they need. Oftentimes these areas are not well connected with the terrestrial infrastructure the bank needs to provide services. This is where satellite can reach beyond terrestrial networks to provide people access to ATMs, point of sale networks and remote branch connectivity. This is equally important to banks as it is to customers, as it gives the banks a presence in emerging markets and access to new customers. Banks can give customers a wide range of quality services, which can lead to more revenue and customer loyalty.

· Top notch security – Transmitting sensitive data via satellite is more secure than through terrestrial transmission. Satellite IP data is independent of other local telecom operators.

· A leg up on the competition – Adopting satellite services now can give banks an edge over their competition, who may still be relying on terrestrial solutions. Satellite can be used for either primary or back-up services between corporate data centers and remote banking options. Increasing customer satisfaction through better connectivity and building a larger customer base will allow banks to win over customers from their competitors and build loyalty to their brands.

As you can see, satellite services and banking go hand in hand, and in ways you might not have considered before. The technology is out there to give customers what they need whenever they need it. If you’re in the banking industry or you’re a customer like Jonathan, be sure your bank has what it takes to provide safe, consistent service.

Headquartered in New York City, New York Mobile Satellite provides B2B wireless and satellite based telecommunication services, both mobile and fixed, to commercial enterprises around the globe, including banking, financial services, oil and gas, first responders, law enforcement, electric and water utilities, construction, sea ports, leisure boating, mining, cruise lines, media, shipping and container vessels, transportation, camping and hiking groups, rescue organizations, maritime communications, public safety markets and government sector, as well as for disaster recovery and humanitarian agencies. The Management Team has over 75 years of satellite and telecommunication experience. The company’s flexibility to custom design solutions and integrate various satellite communications technologies for customer and industry specific needs sets us apart from the competition. New York Mobile Satellite LLC is certified as a Veteran Owned business by the Veterans Administration.

Interview With New York Mobile Satellite CFO Leonard Sloane

What can you expect when you work with New York Mobile Satellite? Hear from Leonard Sloane, Chief Financial Officer, whose extensive background positions him and the company to provide the highest quality satellite communications technology and services in the industry.

Q. How did you come to work with New York Mobile Satellite?

A. I spent eight years in the satellite industry. I was asked to join New York Mobile Satellite to help the company expand into global markets. A number of past clients had come to me and asked if I would help them establish a communication system for their company in Latin America and Asian markets. With my experience in the B2B business communication vertical, I was able to assist companies with their requests to help them design communication systems that would allow their business operations to transmit data from field operations to corporate offices around the world. I spent eight years living in Latin America working with businesses throughout the continent and helping them with their business communication needs. I enjoy helping companies communicate with their workers and field offices around the globe.

Q. Why did you choose to work in this industry?

I selected the satellite industry because I enjoyed helping companies expand operations around the globe. I was always fascinated with satellite communications and its ability to reach people across the globe with very little infrastructure.

A. When a potential customer calls New York Mobile Satellite, whom will he/she speak with?

When the customers call the company, they will initially speak to me. At that time, I will determine their business requirements. Once the customer's business requirements are determined, I will pass them on to several of the company's technical engineers to work with them on a solution that will accommodate all their communication needs, whether that be a VSAT solution, a BGAN solution, a disaster recovery plan or a backhaul service.

Q. When someone fills out the contact/request a quote form on the web, what happens next?

A. After the customer fills out the contact request form on the web, someone from the company will call the person and discuss what their communication needs are and the cost.

Q. What does the usual sales process look like from the customer's perspective?

A. We walk the customer from start to finish in the sales process. The team will work with the customer on designing a customized solution that fits the company's communication requirements. Our team of engineers will work with the customer’s business operations to determine the best communication solution for the company, as well as what the actual cost will be to implement such a solution.

Q. How does New York Mobile Satellite handle customer service on products you've sold?

A. After New York Mobile Satellite sells the product or service to the customer, our team conducts quarterly review calls with the customer. In addition, the team will keep the customers abreast of the latest technology solutions in the industries/verticals such as oil and gas, electric utilities, transportation, first responders, etc.

Q. If there was one thing you could tell potential customers about your products and services, what would it be?

A. New York mobile satellite offers the latest technology solutions in the B2B satellite industry. One of the company's competitive advantages is that the company offers a unique solution to all its customers’ communication needs. The company customizes solutions that meet the client’s requirements, and we always try to help the client save money on all of its communication solutions.

Headquartered in New York City, New York Mobile Satellite provides B2B wireless and satellite based telecommunication services, both mobile and fixed, to commercial enterprises around the globe, including banking, financial services, oil and gas, first responders, law enforcement, electric and water utilities, construction, sea ports, leisure boating, mining, cruise lines, media, shipping and container vessels, transportation, camping and hiking groups, rescue organizations, maritime communications, public safety markets and government sector, as well as for disaster recovery and humanitarian agencies. The Management Team has over 75 years of satellite and telecommunication experience. The company’s flexibility to custom design solutions and integrate various satellite communications technologies for customer and industry specific needs sets us apart from the competition. New York Mobile Satellite LLC is certified as a Veteran Owned business by the Veterans Administration.

Satellite Terminals – Solutions for Every Industry, Every Business

Satellite technology enables us to communicate virtually anywhere on the planet, even in the most remote locations. But in order to leverage the network of satellites and boost business in the far corners of the planet, you need the proper equipment. There are plenty of options out there for satellite terminals. See what’s on the market and what might fit your company’s needs. Here are two major satellite terminal companies, Hughes and Thrane & Thrane Explorer, and some of their best offerings.

Hughes Satellite Terminal Models

9202 BGAN Land Portable – This lightweight portable features voice capability, ISDN and a built-in 802.11 Wi-Fi access point. It operates over the Inmarsat BGAN satellite service, so that you can get high performance connectivity and reliability even in extreme conditions and remote locations. This is a class 2 terminal, which works well for public safety and healthcare workers, first responders, government employees, utilities, oil and gas, cable, telecommunications and much more. You can send and receive IP traffic through Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

9502 BGAN M2M – This terminal features an external antenna and enables reliable connectivity for IP SCADA and M2M applications over the Inmarsat BGAN network. It’s very cost effective and is known for its low power consumption of <1W while idle.

9201 BGAN Inmarsat Terminal – This easy-to-use, fully IP-compatible terminal works on Inmarsat’s BGAN global communications service. It offers voice and an 802.11 WLAN access point. It’s compatible with all VPNs and features email, file transfer and browsing capabilities. The terminal is easy to install and connects in minutes.

Thrane & Thrane Explorer Satellite Terminals

Explorer Model 700 – This terminal has a flexible design that offers optimal performance and extensive functionality. The standard IP runs at up to 492 kbps. You can get the highest available bandwidth on a BGAN network. There are multiple voice and data interfaces and WLAN connectivity. This terminal is great for live video or to share information amongst remote teams.

Explorer 500 BGAN – This extremely lightweight, portable option is great when you need high-speed access to your corporate network from a remote location. It offers voice and IP and works through USB, Bluetooth and Ethernet.

If you are looking for the highest quality, most durable terminals in the industry, New York Mobile Satellite has them. Questions? Contact us. We’d be happy to explain the similarities and differences between these terminals and help you choose a solution appropriate for your business.

New York Mobile Satellite LLC, veteran-owned, headquartered in New York City, provides B2B wireless and satellite based telecommunication services, both mobile and fixed, to commercial enterprises around the globe, including banking, financial services, oil and gas, first responders, law enforcement, electric and water utilities, construction, sea ports, leisure boating, mining, cruise lines, media, shipping and container vessels, transportation, camping and hiking groups, rescue organizations, maritime communications, public safety markets and government sector, as well as for disaster recovery and humanitarian agencies. The Management Team has over 75 years of satellite and telecommunication experience. The company’s flexibility to custom design solutions and integrate various satellite communications technologies for customer, and industry specific needs, sets us apart from the competition.

The Perfect Pairing: Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Technology and Satellite Service

Machine to Machine or M2M technology has been around for a while, but adding satellite technology to this amazing advancement is taking M2M to the next level. Read on to find out what M2M is, how satellite technology improves it and how various industries can benefit from it.

What is M2M?

Machine-to Machine, or M2M, technology refers to any set of network devices that can perform actions and exchange information without a human manually sending or receiving the information. This technology is often used to remotely monitor conditions. This type of communication is used in remote control, robotics, logistics services, traffic control, supply chain management, fleet management, warehouse management, telemedicine and much more.

Most M2M communication require RFID or radio frequency identification. According to the Internet of Things Agenda, this technology uses an electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal or person. The RFID is made of three components: an antenna, transceiver and transponder. In addition to the RFID, M2M depends on sensors, a communication link (through Wi-Fi, cellular or satellite network) and autonomic computing software.

How Does Satellite Technology Improve M2M?

Companies or individuals that need to use M2M in remote locations don’t have to be dependent on cellular or Wi-Fi networks for communication. Satellite enables M2M to happen anywhere on the planet, even in the most remote locations. The service is cost-effective because they don’t have to invest in broadband infrastructures and provides very reliable service. According to OFFCOMM News, the global market for satellite M2M services is projected to be $1.6 billion by 2017.

Industries That Benefit From Satellite M2M

The government and private sector alike are benefitting from Satellite M2M as the industry continues to grow. The energy sector already widely uses satellite M2M for tasks like monitoring oil pipelines or electric wire networks including Smart Grids. Utility meters can also contain this technology, saving utility companies money collecting data about individual usage. This technology is used to monitor assets where large numbers of equipment are spread out over vast areas.

There are other uses for the technology. In banking, the technology provides ATM services in areas with limited connectivity. In the environmental industries, the technology provides monitoring for water treatment sites, windmill farms and other sites.

There are also public safety and meteorological applications for this technology. M2M allows us to pick up meteorological and seismic activity across the globe. The data collected can help monitor forest fires, issue tsunami or flood warnings and more, saving lives. There are also applications for military or government intelligence agencies that need to track assets or people across the globe.

M2M has plenty of maritime applications. Satellite M2M allows communication and improved safety of crews out at sea. More governments are employing Vessel Monitoring Systems to help enforce fishing regulations. Satellite M2M also enables increased safety by monitoring the systems on the ship like oil pressure and coolant temperature, so that the crew and those ashore can be aware of any potential mechanical issues. Buoys equipped with M2M terminals can help scientists monitor ocean conditions, collecting important environmental data that can be used in wave, ocean port and coastal monitoring. More office functions can be performed at sea using M2M technology, allowing for optimum efficiency on ships.

If you are interested in M2M and would like more information on the technology used in your industry, contact New York Mobile Satellite. We’d be happy to answer any questions.

New York Mobile Satellite LLC, veteran-owned, headquartered in New York City, provides B2B wireless and satellite based telecommunication services, both mobile and fixed, to commercial enterprises around the globe, including banking, financial services, oil and gas, first responders, law enforcement, electric and water utilities, construction, sea ports, leisure boating, mining, cruise lines, media, shipping and container vessels, transportation, camping and hiking groups, rescue organizations, maritime communications, public safety markets and government sector, as well as for disaster recovery and humanitarian agencies. The Management Team has over 75 years of satellite and telecommunication experience. The company’s flexibility to custom design solutions and integrate various satellite communications technologies for customer, and industry specific needs, sets us apart from the competition.