Field and office technical solutions continue to evolve: enhancing connectivity, collaboration, and productivity for employees.

AuthorBarbour, Tracy
PositionTELECOM & TECHNOLOGY

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Alaska's telecommunications and technology companies offer a wide range of field and office technical solutions to help businesses maintain and enhance their operations. And as workforce mobility increasingly accelerates, technology continues to evolve. Modern offerings for voice, wireless, Internet, and other services make it easier for employees to stay connected and productive--whether they're working at a desk or a remote location.

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Here is a look at some of the field and office technical solutions available from major providers in the state.

GCI/GCI Industrial Telecom

General Communication, Inc. (GCI) understands the critical nature of providing reliable remote connectivity to Alaska businesses, according to Mark Johnson, senior manager of business development at GCI Industrial Telecom, a subsidiary of GCI. That's why it offers remote solutions ranging from its Industrial Mobile Communication Solution to quick-deploy Very-Small-Aperture Terminal systems--which are basically portable Internet satellite solutions.

GCI's Industrial Mobile Communication Solution is a fully-managed mobile resource that provides a hosted suite of services. And it's an example of how GCI continues to invest in technologies that increase value to its clients, according to Johnson. Over the last ten years, GCI's direct investment in Alaska's communication infrastructure has exceeded $2.5 billion.

GCI Industrial Telecom also offers the option of extending GCI's client-specific voice and data networks via a secure multi-carrier-capable cellular connection. This allows users throughout Alaska and the Lower 48 to effectively connect through voice, data, and video-service technologies while in the field. "Recent deployments have included offshore seismic vessels and remote job offices," Johnson says. "These situations require a more efficient way to communicate."

The modern-day workforce has become accustomed to being connected, no matter where their work is taking place. The need for increased bandwidth for remote sites, radio-frequency identification tracking of assets, and personnel, digital dispatch systems--and even polar bear radar tracking systems--are not uncommon within the industrial sector, Johnson says.

GCI Industrial Telecom's machine to machine and supervisory control and data acquisition network products reduce operating costs for distant facilities. They allow companies to remotely monitor well-site and tank pressure gauges, flare temperatures, security cameras at checkpoints, heavy equipment usage trends, generator health, AWOS airport cameras, and conditions.

"We all expect immediate connectivity even in areas which require C1D1 [Class 1 Division 1 rating] devices to track dangerous shipments," Johnson says. "GCI can help our clients reach those goals and remain safe."

In the area of office technical solutions, GCI touts its Office Complete. The total office solution, which costs $74.99 per user per month, is ideal for small businesses with up to ten users, according to GCI Business Product Marketing Manager Angie Burris. Office Complete includes Cloud Voice premium hosted Voice over Internet Protocol phone system, 50 Mbps (megabytes per second) broadband Internet connection, Wi-Fi for the office, 100 GB (gigabytes) cloud storage, 100 GB cloud back up, twenty-five email addresses, set-up/installation, and support.

Customers can upgrade to Cloud Voice App to be able to make and receive calls with their business number from their mobile device.

"Flexible services like Office Complete allow businesses to consume what they need and grow at their own pace," Burris says.

In addition, GCI IT Solutions offers...

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