Enhancing Industrial Facility Mass Notification: A Q&A With Packaging Corporation of America
How do you facilitate both emergency notifications and routine corporate communications within a large, widespread manufacturing environment? Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), a packaging solutions leader based in Lake Forest, Illinois, knows firsthand what it takes to successfully deploy industrial mass notification across multiple production sites.
We recently spoke to Jeremiah Schupbach, Systems Engineer at PCA, about the benefits of having a flexible, integrated, and easy-to-use mass notification solution. He shares how different PCA sites are leveraging the Alertus System to better ensure notification delivery, particularly for factory workers who lack access to traditional desktops.
Name: Jeremiah Schupbach
Title: Systems Engineer
Organization: PCA
What does PCA specialize in and what is your role within the organization?
PCA focuses on the full packaging production process from start to finish, which includes designing, manufacturing, and shipping boxes.
I wear a lot of different hats as a Senior Systems Engineer and Architect. I handle software distribution and automation, data analysis, internet security, and Alertus System deployment.
Was there a specific communication need that led PCA to look into Alertus?
Before Alertus, we were mainly using email as our primary communication method. The PCA security system contacted IT with a request for a high quality mass notification system. We were seeing a lot of active shooter incidents in the news at the time, so there was a heightened need for preparedness, enhanced safety, and emergency management.
I was tasked with evaluating different systems, and the Alertus System was the one that best fit the bill for PCA.
What made the Alertus System stand out from other mass notification system options?
There were a few things:
Ease-of-use
System simplicity, reliability, and flexibility
Customized and targeted notifications
Cost effectiveness
Flexibility was a big selling point; the ability to integrate the Alertus System with existing communication devices on the floor and throughout the building is impactful for PCA. A lot of our factory workers don’t have computers in their working area, so leveraging Alertus’ software integration capability for alert notification via a giant TV screen override helps to keep them informed while working on the factory floor.
Can you walk me through some other ways PCA is leveraging Alertus solutions?
Alertus System usage across PCA is very site specific. We have a total of 130 PCA sites, and 12 of those have implemented the Alertus System. Each site, located across the country, has a different mass notification use case, so we work with them on their unique needs — whether that’s for software or hardware-based solutions.
Many of our sites have been really pleased with the implementation of the Alertus Activator App and the Alertus Desktop™ solution. In addition to emergencies, Alertus Desktop notifications are used regularly for customized organizational and administrative announcements. And Alertus’ Activator App allows authorized users — such as production and quality managers who are often on the go or on the floor — to activate an alert directly from their phone, even when they’re away from their computer.
Based on your experience, why do you think having a comprehensive mass notification solution is important for industrial facilities?
There is inherent danger within industrial manufacturing processes. Oftentimes workers are off-site or working in a dangerous area, so you need a way to reach them easily and quickly. With a flexible solution like the Alertus System, you can proactively navigate potential emergency situations by making use of features like customized and targeted alert notifications, alerting device and system integration, and sensor monitoring capabilities which immediately trigger and automate alerts during an emergency.
Does PCA have any plans for future Alertus System expansion or use cases?
There are some PCA sites that would like to leverage Alertus’ two-way radio integration. It may take some time to do an assessment for each site, but it’s definitely something we want to explore in the future.
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Video
Watch this quick video to learn about Alertus’ wide range of mass notification solutions and offerings for industrial manufacturing facilities.