KYMEA
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INDUSTRY
ENERGY
CUSTOMER
KYMEA
CHALLENGES
Building a new corporate headquarters. Collaborating with municipal members on mission-critical
issues. Requiring a custom IT and AV infrastructure to accomplish
day-to-day operations, as well as “big picture” goals.
SOLUTIONS
Strategic Communications designed a custom IT infrastructure to meet KYMEA’s requirements. Strategic Communications designed custom audio-visual collaboration and unified communications areas including
a corporate boardroom, a secondary conference room and huddle spaces. Strategic Communications designed a Market Analytics Center (MAC) enabling members to create data models using real-time analytics.
RESULTS
Enhanced communications and collaboration enabling significant increases in efficiencies and productivity. Managed IT Services model providing support for business goals and objectives.
INTRODUCTION
Formed in 2015, Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency (KYMEA) provides cost-effective energy resources for its municipal members. After three years of aligning public power goals, KYMEA needed a centralized HQ for its agency operations and Board of Directors meetings. The Kentucky agency chose to open its headquarters in Louisville.KYMEA CEO Doug Buresh needed an Information Technology (IT) and Audiovisual (AV) integrator capable of providing a technology roadmap to support office operations. Buresh also required technology in creating a headquarters to serve as a communications hub for clients, strategic partners, and board meetings.
Strategic Communications, an IT and AV consultancy and integrator, worked with KYMEA to develop a preliminary technology blueprint. In addition, the technology implemented empowered the KYMEA board in considering future office space technology.
LOW-VOLTAGE CABLING
KYMEA engaged Strategic Communications’ Low Voltage division in shoring up network cabling specifications. The low voltage team partnered with the architect and general contractor ensuring components like HVAC for cooling on premise servers, power specification for devices, and custom architectural inserts for displays and lighting were exacted prior to construction.The main frame distribution build-out utilized Cat 6 cables and other associated patch cords, panels and jacks. Single and dual cables were run to work areas, outlets, and wireless access points ensuring reliable connectivity.
“When installing today’s technology, we create a lot of value due to our unique ability in providing cabled infrastructure supporting the technologies we engineer”, Brian Walls - Strategic Communications Operations Manager. “By providing low-voltage installs, clients remain protected from situations where it’s hard to identify the vendor responsible for repair and maintenance.” In addition, Strategic Communications’ certified engineers provide progress reports and a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) to check for failures and ensure reliability.
AUDIO VISUAL DESIGN & INSTALL
The AV and collaborative tools play a significant role in KYMEA’s office communications. The ability to see and hear more than 25 participants, both remote and onsite, remained a crucial part for discussing and voting on mission-critical issues. Strategic Communications’ Audio-Visual division leveraged Cisco collaborative platforms integrated with state-of-the art AV technology in meeting the challenges. Furthermore, the collaborative platforms aligned with IT initiatives for voice and data design.“With the industry convergence of IT and AV, it’s crucial for businesses to look at both systems as a whole.” Fred Devoid - Strategic Communications Director of Service. “Our goal on every project is ensuring these technologies work and function well together.”
The main board room serves as the central space for staff and advisors to present and board members to steer company decisions. The board room utilizes NEC 6500 Lumen Laser projection with a 133” motorized projection screen and two 65” peripheral monitors. Crestron Touch panel controls integrated with projector, screen, monitors, audio, and lighting create a single touch solution to activate technology in the room. Other spaces designed with similar user experiences made it easy to accommodate pop up collaboration in the secondary conference room which utilizes an 86” monitor and a huddle space which utilizes a 50” monitor.
AUDIO VISUAL DESIGN & INSTALL (Cont'd)
KYMEA’s Market Analytics Center (MAC) symbolizes an aesthetic office center piece for visitors to experience as they enter the lobby. The MAC requires a video system visualizing metrics pulling from multiple sources, but flexible enough in allowing customization of views for more specific purposes. Strategic Communications specified two 98” Planar monitors along with rack mounted Extron Video Wall processor for the main video wall. To elaborate, the Extron processor allows for 8 inputs sized anywhere over the 2 displays in a variety of configurations. In addition, Strategic Communications worked with KYMEA in developing customized video-wall template layouts commanded by a single 10.1 Crestron touch screen controller.The operations center simultaneously displays gas prices, SCADA system, internal brand content, cable news, specialized mapping software, cable weather, and PC inputs to share work on the wall from two workstations. “Engineering constantly keeps an eye on the best tools and emerging technologies on the market.” Josh Ballard - Strategic Communications Senior AV Engineer. “We design for clients by uncovering current engagements and engineer more efficient and effective solutions fitting their culture.”
IT ENVIRONMENT DESIGN
KYMEA approached IT from the ground up and wanted to partner with a company with the capability to provide insight into a variety of options. Also, KYMEA needed an outsourced IT department for the organization after the May 1, 2019 “go live” date. Once again, Strategic Communications IT division delivered on their needs and provided a comprehensive managed services model.CONCLUSION
KYMEA now possesses a modern, collaborative headquarters and a trusted partner thanks in part to their IT and AV integrator Strategic Communications. Strategic Communications’ business model remedied costly and burdensome processes from showing up later down the road. The company’s expertise and consultative approach reduced inefficient communication between multiple vendors, offered a brand neutral choice for technology integration, and maintained competitive cost while preserving the quality of work. In conclusion, KYMEA needed an IT and AV integrator, however they found a true partner in Strategic Communications.
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ABOUT KYMEA
Founded in 2015, KYMEA began when ten municipal electric utilities entered into an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement. KYMEA facilitates effective collaboration among its
members to do all things necessary or convenient to serve
the current and future electric energy requirements of the
members. In addition, the cooperative provides assistance
to the members related to their electric power and energy
utility systems.
KYMEA exists to serve its members. Members may choose to enter into contracts with KYMEA for power supply or other services. Members retain the flexibility to establish projects for the benefit of one or more members, such as the All Requirements Project (AR Project). To elaborate, the AR Project acquires power supply resources to serve the needs of eight participating all requirements members. The business model objective of KYMEA is to provide cost-effective resources and services for the benefit of its members. KYMEA enables members to achieve their objectives more efficiently and at lower costs.
KYMEA exists to serve its members. Members may choose to enter into contracts with KYMEA for power supply or other services. Members retain the flexibility to establish projects for the benefit of one or more members, such as the All Requirements Project (AR Project). To elaborate, the AR Project acquires power supply resources to serve the needs of eight participating all requirements members. The business model objective of KYMEA is to provide cost-effective resources and services for the benefit of its members. KYMEA enables members to achieve their objectives more efficiently and at lower costs.