Schurz Communications Signs on to the Nrby Platform

“Schurz is serious about taking the next step in its mobile digital evolution and the Nrby platform is a perfect fit for service providers like us that are seeking new efficiencies across the board,” said Tom Williams, Schurz Communications’ Vice President of Engineering and Technology. “The safety of our field workers and our customers, however, remains Schurz’s chief business concern, but also one that can now be improved through the implementation of technology. Nrby’s Solo Worker safety feature alone was worth Schurz investigating the platform further. It’s breadth is impressive.”

As part of the agreement, once Antietam Broadband has reached certain milestones with its current use cases, Schurz will then launch the Nrby platform across its four other broadband properties – Hiawatha Broadband, Long Lines Broadband, Burlington Telecom, and Orbitel Communications. As a result, there is an intended quick return on Antietam’s three chosen use cases. Nrby’s mobile workforce-messaging platform provides Schurz Communications and Antietam Broadband the following:

• Better Asset Management – gives Antietam Broadband the ability to create and view historical maintenance records from any mobile device, set actionable timers to proactively track and schedule maintenance, and crowd source/collect asset details, including location, when not available.

• Efficiently Managed Temp Drops – Schurz can now completely digitize Antietam Broadband’s temp drop construction form on a mobile device, allowing Nrby SmartForms to capture all aspects of the temporary drop (i.e., site details, exact location, required equipment and materials, homeowners’ concerns, etc.). It can also create automatic alerts for the third-party contractors responsible for drop burials.

• Advanced Safety Procedures — The Nrby platform’s ability to “SmartFence” any hazards or dangerous locations gives Schurz and Antietam Broadband the ability to enable proximity alerts, which helps keep field technicians aware and safe. In addition, SoloWorker is a new use case that allows technicians to drop time-based SmartPins that deliver check-in notifications allowing others to monitor communications when working in dangerous situations.

“We are excited Schurz has selected Nrby to enhance its plant operations and improve safety conditions for its field technicians,” said Nrby Vice President of Product Management and Marketing, Ron Miller. “Keeping field technicians and customers safe should be high on the list of priorities for every service provider. I applaud Schurz for making that one of its top priorities. We look forward to advancing that goal and also driving greater operational efficiency — ultimately improving its relationship with its customers; the end users”

About Schurz Communications

Schurz Communications Inc. is a family owned corporation that has been helping businesses, communities and individuals make meaningful connections for five generations. The Schurz legacy began in newspaper publishing and today, the company remains committed to making information more accessible through the platforms and technology of the digital age. Schurz Communications’ recent investments include regional broadband companies, global data center solutions providers and digital media and marketing firms. The company’s portfolio also includes a variety of minority investments. For more information, visit http://www.schurz.com.