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Reserve Your Seat TodayCustom firmware eliminated truck rolls for Wyoming PBS's remote sites
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public Broadcasting |
| Company Type | State Public Television Service |
| Geography/Coverage | 85% of Wyoming (26 years serving) |
| Primary Challenge | Insufficient alarm detail in text notifications |
| Solution Deployed | NetGuardian RTUs with custom firmware |
| Key Result | Avoided 4-hour truck rolls with detailed alerts |
| Products Used | NetGuardian 216 units with customized firmware |
KCWC-TV/Wyoming PBS provides public television and distance learning to Wyoming residents. Over 26 years, the station expanded to reach approximately 85% of Wyoming through state and federal grants combined with private donations. This extensive coverage requires reliable remote monitoring across challenging terrain and remote locations.
Wyoming PBS needed better visibility into remote site conditions. Robert Cole, Microwave Radio Technician, received text alerts from his NetGuardian units but lacked critical detail. Text messages didn't include analog values from signals, limiting his ability to assess problems remotely.
Sites were often 4 hours away. Without detailed information, Cole couldn't determine issue severity or prepare properly before making the drive.
DPS engineering developed custom firmware for Wyoming PBS's NetGuardian 216 units. The modification added analog values directly into text message notifications.
DPS didn't require Wyoming PBS to purchase hundreds of units to justify the firmware development. With only 4-5 NetGuardians, the engineering team rewrote the firmware to meet Cole's exact specifications.
The custom firmware transformed Cole's ability to manage remote sites. He could assess problems directly from his phone without logging into systems or driving hours to investigate. This immediate access to detailed alarm data changed how Wyoming PBS responds to issues across their widespread network.
Metric: Eliminated unnecessary site visits
Wyoming PBS avoided multiple 4-hour drives by receiving actionable alarm data via text message.
Metric: Real-time analog values in notifications
Cole received complete site status information immediately, enabling informed decisions about response priority.
"You guys could tailor the NetGuardian just for me. That gives me more power just by looking at my phone." - Robert Cole, Microwave Radio Technician, Wyoming PBS
| Custom Engineering | DPS developed firmware modifications for a small 4-5 unit order |
|---|---|
| Remote Efficiency | Detailed text alerts eliminated costly truck rolls to remote sites |
| Expert Support | Tech support resolved firmware issues remotely, saving a 4-hour drive |
| Perfect Fit | Solution tailored precisely to Wyoming PBS's operational needs |
NetGuardian 216 G4 Compact RTU for remote site monitoring with customizable alarm processing
Yes. DPS developed custom firmware for Wyoming PBS with only 4-5 units. Unlike vendors that require large minimum orders for customization, we focus on delivering solutions that fit your exact requirements regardless of initial scale. When modifications benefit other clients, they often become standard features.
Standard notifications include alarm status and site identification. Custom firmware can add analog values, battery voltages, temperature readings, or other monitored parameters. The key is defining what information helps you make better decisions remotely. We'll work with your team to determine the optimal notification format.
DPS technical support is provided by actual engineers, not script readers. When Wyoming PBS experienced a firmware upgrade issue at a remote site 4 hours away, our tech support resolved it completely via remote access. Most problems are solved through phone and screen-sharing, eliminating costly site visits.
Custom modifications typically add approximately 2 months from specification to delivery. For Wyoming PBS, the firmware development process involved working directly with DPS engineering to define requirements, testing the modified firmware, and deployment. The delay is minimal compared to the operational benefits.
DPS provides lifetime product support and continued firmware updates. If your requirements evolve, we can modify existing equipment rather than forcing complete system replacement. Wyoming PBS's custom firmware came from an engineering conversation about specific operational needs - we approach all clients this way.
Wyoming PBS needed remote site visibility without constant travel. Custom firmware gave them exactly that. Your network has its own unique requirements. Let's build a monitoring solution that works the way you do.
Or call us: 1-800-693-0351
