Command Centers: Keeping Your People Happy & Motivated

Posted by Gail Gerlesits on Aug 29, 2017 4:07:48 PM

 via GIPHY

 Whether you are managing the buses 

                                                                                         throughout King County in Seattle -
 the flow of traffic in Naples, FL – the
water system at Denver International
Airport – or, the electric grid in Baton
Rouge, LA –
it all comes down to
keeping people safe and things 
working.

 

The people doing all the manning of our transportation and utilities, your operators and dispatchers, with the onslaught of more smart technology, have more monitors with more information to look at than ever. As the demands of the job increase, how do you ensure your people are healthy and happy at work?

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Topics: Employee Health, Command Centers

How Do You Measure Quality in a Command Center Console?

Posted by Gail Gerlesits on Jun 22, 2017 2:01:43 PM

Quality.jpgThis time of year, many organizations are planning to remodel, upgrade or build a new command center. If this is happening for you, the amount of decisions you need to make for success of the project can seem enormous. One of the decisions may include new consoles, desks and furniture for the project. Now is the time to go for it! The budget approval for your new consoles may be relatively small as compared to the million dollar or so project at hand, but, how it can help your operator’s daily lives is huge.

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Topics: Features, Command Centers, Pre-Planning

Increase Operator’s Performance: 1 Key Leadership Trait to Start Today

Posted by Gail Gerlesits on May 1, 2017 8:56:33 AM

Leadership.jpgAs Chief, Supervisor or Head Operator of a Command Center, you want your people to bring their "A Game" everyday. So, what can you do on a daily basis to make a difference for your people and improve their performance? The April edition of SUCCESS magazine, in an article titled, “The ROI of Compassion,” leadership guru John C. Maxwell sums it up:

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Topics: Employee Health, Ergonomics, Features, Command Centers

Space Planning your Control Room: Top 5 Things to Consider

Posted by Gail Gerlesits on Mar 17, 2017 12:54:32 PM

Space Planning Tips.jpgLet's be honest, if you are in the Command and Control industry, you pride yourself in organization, optimization, effectiveness and efficiencies. Like the grease to the wheel, you like organization and to keep things working at their best. The placement of command center workstations in a control room should be just as important for the optimal performance of your operators. Having miss-used space or disorganization can cause the efficiency and effectiveness of the team to dwindle.

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Topics: Design, Command Centers, Pre-Planning

People, Innovation & Communication: Smart Grid, Smarter Choices

Posted by Gail Gerlesits on Feb 16, 2017 9:43:16 AM

SmartGrid.pngSmart Grid is on everyone’s mind in the utilities industry. How do we make the grid more reliable, safe, and efficient? It may seem like a new term yet it has been in the making for over 10 years. In 2007 Congress passed and the President approved the EISA (Title XIII of the Energy Independence and Security Act). This gave leadership to the Department of Energy to drive grid modernization. So, what is a smart grid? Some definitions are:

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Topics: Employee Health, Command Centers

Command Center Console Questions you should ask at DistribuTECH 2017

Posted by Gail Gerlesits on Jan 12, 2017 3:57:46 PM

CommandConsoleQuestionsDistribuTECH.jpgDistribuTECH is right around the corner. Are you building or updating a TOC or DOC with new command center consoles? What are some questions you need to be asking as you start the planning process? Or, if you are already in the process, what types of questions should you be asking now that can save you time, money and energy down the line?

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Topics: Pricing, Command Centers, Brief Overview

How to Keep the Body Moving During the Workday in an Operation Center

Posted by Gail Gerlesits on Dec 9, 2016 10:32:22 AM

Operation Center.jpg
Whether a DOC or a TOC, operation centers need to ensure reliable grid operations to keep the power on. We all rely on it. With no weather issues or recent storms, one of the biggest issues for a operations center can be if it is too quiet. Sounds strange, but in a 24/7 center and 10 hour shifts, the days can get very long for operators. On the flip side, if there is too much happening, this can make for a stressful day. Keeping the body and the mind active can help to reduce stress and improve health. So what can you do during times of stress or inactivity. Here's some suggestions:

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Topics: Employee Health, Ergonomics, Healthcare, Command Centers

Telemetry Lab Desks: 5 Tips for Getting the Best Setup

Posted by Mike Graham on Sep 23, 2016 8:54:01 AM

The right equipment and setup can make all of the difference in getting any job done right, and the world of telemetry is no different. According to lab managers and project managers here is what their technologists are looking for:

  • comfort
  • ergonomic chairs
  • adjustable focal depth of  6-8 monitors
  • adequate keyboard workspace
  • clean wire management system
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Topics: Healthcare, Dispatch, Command Centers

A Step by Step Guide to Setting Up Your Height Adjustable Workstation

Posted by A Previous Xybix Employee on Feb 25, 2014 3:50:00 PM

XybixHeightAdjustableWorkstationsBy now, most of you have heard about the health risks of sitting for extended periods of time. A height adjustable workstation or desk will give you the most flexibility, because it allows you to move easily between sitting and standing. So, the next logical question you might ask is 'how do you know what height to adjust your desk to?' A standing desk won’t do a whole lot of good, if you’re hunched over the keyboard to type or craning your neck to read your email. When setting up a height adjustable workstation, there are two positions you want to consider; seated and standing. Both are specific to each individual who uses the workstation.

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Topics: Ergonomics, Features, Dispatch, Utilities, Transportation, & Casinos, Command Centers, Brief Overview

Six Quick Ergonomic Tips for 911 Dispatchers

Posted by Kathleen Utley on Nov 20, 2013 4:26:00 PM

Helpful Ergonomic Tips for 911 DispatchersThe job of a 911 dispatcher challenges a person’s mental and emotional abilities. It is also a job that requires a person to remain sitting in a chair during most of their shift. This type of job provides only limited opportunities to stand up and move around. Because of this limitation, proper ergonomics for 911 dispatchers is essential.  Improper ergonomics can lead to both short and long term physical issues.  

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Topics: Ergonomics, Dispatch, Command Centers, Brief Overview