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ARCOS Unveils Innovative Two-Way Crew Communication Solutions

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 5, 2025 – ARCOS® LLC, recognized as the premier provider of field operations and workforce management solutions for utility companies and critical infrastructure, is transforming the way utilities communicate and operate in the field. The company recently announced significant enhancements to its Crew Manager platform, which now includes a cutting-edge two-way texting feature and integrates seamlessly with HelmsBriscoe’s Incident Response Team. This integration aims at improving communication and coordination, particularly during large-scale restoration efforts influenced by natural disasters and outages.

The Importance of Effective Communication in Utilities

The utility industry is facing unprecedented challenges, including an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters, heightened customer expectations, and the need for grid modernization. As Paul Bernard, CEO of ARCOS, noted, “Utilities are under immense pressure to respond effectively. Real-time communication with field crews paired with streamlined management of resources is critical.” With the new updates to Crew Manager, ARCOS positions itself as a frontrunner in providing utilities with an efficient, centralized platform that enhances daily operations, expedites outage responses, and bolsters safety measures, thereby improving customer satisfaction.

Two-Way Texting: A Game Changer for Crew Communication

The addition of two-way texting within Crew Manager offers utilities a secure interface to communicate with their crews effectively. This feature addresses numerous challenges faced in high-pressure environments, where thousands of critical messages are exchanged daily. Here’s how two-way texting benefits utilities:

• - Rapid Communication: Disseminate essential job and safety information in seconds, ensuring that crews are well-informed and coordinated for faster restoration efforts.
• - Enhanced Collaboration: Field workers can promptly respond to urgent inquiries or share updates with utility operations teams, fostering a collaborative environment.
• - Communication History: Users can track and access messages through a centralized interface, granting visibility and audit trails, which is crucial for accountability.
• - Improved Safety: Timely updates that impact safety are essential, and the asynchronous nature of text messaging means messages are delivered even if connectivity is temporarily lost.
• - Seamless Operations: Crew members can engage with the system without disrupting their tasks, utilizing smartphone aids and hands-free devices to manage communications.

Integration with HelmsBriscoe’s Incident Response Team

The partnership with HelmsBriscoe’s Incident Response Team marks a significant enhancement to logistics for mutual assistance crews, particularly concerning lodging during major outage events. Efficient logistics management is crucial when thousands of line crews and evaluators are mobilized to restore service. This collaboration ensures utilities can accurately provision housing for their crews, addressing several logistical challenges:

• - Streamlined Logistics: Crew Manager now includes bulk hotel booking details, minimizing manual entry and ensuring reliable placements, which significantly cuts down unnecessary costs associated with unused rooms.
• - Centralized Data Management: By managing lodging alongside crew schedules within the same interface, utilities gain better visibility into their accommodation needs and can efficiently plan for incoming crews.
• - Overbooking Prevention: Notification systems alert utilities if room reservations surpass capacity, allowing proactive corrections to be made by lodging managers.

Conclusion

The new features of two-way texting and integration with HelmsBriscoe’s Incident Response Team are available immediately for Crew Manager clients, underscoring ARCOS’s commitment to innovating field operations. With over 200 utilities relying on its solutions for improved safety, cost reductions, and enhanced response times, ARCOS continues to set the standard in the industry. For more details, visit www.arcos-inc.com.

About ARCOS LLC

ARCOS specializes in providing innovative field workforce management tools that allow utilities to effectively handle personnel, workload, and asset management from a single platform. Their technology enables quick mobilization of workers for various operational challenges while offering comprehensive tools that enhance situational awareness and productivity outcomes.

About HelmsBriscoe

HelmsBriscoe is a leading entity in hotel site selection and event management, particularly noted for its effectiveness in crisis situations requiring immediate lodging solutions. Their Incident Response Team plays a pivotal role in ensuring efficient accommodations during disasters, supporting clients across multiple sectors including corporate and governmental agencies.