Two Midlands based engineering firms have successfully collaborated to produce 'all in one work stations' which are set to dramatically reduce installation times for telephone and broadband engineers.
Zero Cases UK Ltd won the contract to create bespoke ITT cases for a leading telecommunications firm, incorporating fitted in and ready to use diagnostics computer systems, eliminating the need for individual, complex kit boxes.
Broadband technicians would normally have to carry and connect three separate pieces of kit, alongside numerous cables and wires, for installation or diagnostic tasks at a customer's residency. This would approximately take twenty minutes to connect, prolonging the time taken to complete the job sufficiently. The new cases created by Zero Cases UK allow technicians to carry and use all of their equipment from one case instantly on site with a single, safer plug connection.
This was made possible thanks to collaboration with Stratford based Assembled Electronics Solutions LLP, in order to merge three external power sources into one internal power pack powered by a single plug. Nigel Maris, managing director of AES commented: "It had become apparent that there are synergies between the products and services offered by both Zero Cases and Assembled Electronic Solutions (AES).
"In this project, Zero Cases were seeking to manufacture an enhanced enclosure complete with integral wiring and infill. This would make life easier in the setup, use and stowage of the test equipment. At the start of the project, Zero Cases had assembled a prototype assembly that included a wiring loom and three separate power supplies and this was used to prove the initial concept. AES consolidated the power supplies into a single module and rationalised the wiring loom. Working together with Zero Cases, the routing of the wiring loom and the lengths of the individual feed wires was determined. In the manufacture of the production batch, the wiring loom is hidden from view and a single, main power cord is easily accessible making the set up and use of the equipment user friendly and tamper proof".
The innovative, cost effective and durable solution has no known current market sector competition and will enable technicians to arrive on site with the correct kit, as opposed to possibly arriving at an appointment unorganised and occasionally missing cables or diagnostics kit.
Plant Manager of Zero Cases, Mike Dimmack said: "This is an example of a bespoke solution which demonstrates our continued penetration into Europe and in particular, market sectors that are more technically advanced, requiring a solution to a problem rather than simply component parts".
A recent study by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) West Midlands revealed that the UK's economy would be severely hampered if the government failed to fund broadband services. It also states that having a faster broadband service strengthens the UK's industrial competitive edge, as more firms are exploring digital platforms of communication.
To meet this need, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport state that £150 million will be invested in achieving 'super-connected cities' across the UK by 2015.
Mr Dimmack added that broadband is a vital form of infrastructure to the survival of small and large businesses across the UK. He is confident that the case will help broadband technicians schedule an increased amount of jobs throughout the day, to meet this demand for faster broadband services.
Smethwick based Zero Cases UK are a world class manufacturer of quality, deep-drawn and fabricated aluminium and moulded plastic cases, enclosures and assemblies for the defence, aerospace, petrochemical, industrial, medical and telecommunications markets.
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