Schneider Electric’s North American division (Square D) knows a thing or two when it comes to making profits and wisely spending money. In the United States, this electrical distribution and industrial control products, systems and services company employees 11,000 people and accounts for $2.7 billion in annual sales for the corporation with its operations spanning from Canada to Mexico. Best known for its Square D brand of electrical products, the Palatine, IL-based division oversees 160 locations. Its executives have committed to maintain an open line of training and corporate branding communication for its operation to succeed in its business. That is where satellite comes in. Roughly 117 out of the 160 locations are currently linked with a satellite network and this information platform provides Square D with a competitive edge. Mark Klocksin, manager of business television for Square D spoke with Satellite Business Solutions and shared how satellite continues to solve some of the division’s chief communication problems.

Mark Klocksin

Manager, business television

Problem:
How do you get the product message out fast enough to stay ahead of the competition?

With employees dispersed throughout North America, making sure every sales region remains current on the latest product offering is paramount to Square D’s success.

“Square D fits a classic model for business television [BTV],” says Klocksin. “We have small offices scattered around the country and a strong need for product information delivery to the sales executives.”

Solution:
Power your business television network with satellite technology

“Our satellite network in place since 1992, linked to SES Americom’s AMC 3 spacecraft, gives us the ability to disseminate information to everyone so they get the same information at the same time.”

Square D had significant problems with the logistics of getting important training and corporate information out to its sales force before satellite technology was introduced into the communication network, Klocksin says. “Satellite can do for us in a few hours what would otherwise take months,” he adds.

The company is on the air about 110 hours a year, split evenly between training seminars and executive communications. According to Klocksin, the real justification for the implementation of a satellite network is recognized in the speed of the delivery. He adds that company analysis of the network showed that the payback of the initial investment was very rapid in terms of the original installation of the satellite system. “We do 18-20 broadcasts a year and the satellite network is pretty much ingrained into the culture of the company now,” says Klocksin. “We survey every broadcast and try to address that input through modifications on our next broadcast. Everyone is involved in making the system better.”

In the future, Square D is looking for a Voice Over IP (VoIP) solution via satellite. “A satellite solution with local storage would ease the problem of bandwidth on our WAN,” says Klocksin. “That is where we need to move to. We have been very good at maximizing our initial investment.”