Copper Mountain, a premier ski resort, faced significant challenges in managing the high volume of skiers entering their lifts daily. With over 10,000 skiers on average and up to 14,000 on busy days, the resort needed a fast and efficient scanning solution to ensure smooth operations. The existing scanning devices were heavy, had poor battery life, and struggled in extreme weather conditions, leading to frequent network drop-offs and potential revenue loss. The resort required a robust, lightweight, and reliable scanning solution to handle the high throughput and harsh environmental conditions.

GraysOnline faced the challenge of consolidating its four existing warehouses into one centralized distribution center (DC) at Homebush, Western Sydney. The company needed to upgrade its entire warehouse management system (WMS) to streamline operations, drive greater efficiencies, and introduce clearly defined processes. With over 30,000 products and servicing 10,000 customers, they needed to ensure the integration of inventory into the Homebush warehouse was seamless and caused limited downtime. Additionally, GraysOnline had to integrate the inventory of oo.com.au, a newly acquired online department store, into its existing warehouse operations with minimal disruption to customers. The outdated RF-enabled operations and processes no longer offered the flexibility, speed, and accuracy required for business growth, necessitating a more advanced solution.

Bossard North America faced significant challenges with their existing mobile printers used on forklifts for order processing. The inherited printers from Europe degraded in performance over time, leading to frequent breakdowns and long repair times of up to three months. This caused operational inefficiencies and downtime, as workers had to resort to stationary printers, leading to misplaced or incorrect labels. The company needed a more reliable and high-volume printing solution to meet their growing demands.

The City of London set an ambitious goal to create the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London by 2020. To meet this goal, London needed to know what every single vehicle is doing in real time. The best solutions go further, gathering and parsing data with even better visibility into any individual vehicle’s operating data and module systems. By 2021, more than 5,000 buses in London’s public transport network will be fitted with sensors, such as HJS Emission Technology’s Selective Catalytic Reduction Technology, which uses cutting-edge particle filters and catalytic converters to dramatically reduce emissions. But in today’s world, blind implementation isn’t enough to meet the strictest of emissions guidelines.

The Parker Water and Sanitation District faced the challenge of supporting rapid population growth in Parker, Colorado, which required a highly efficient and reliable communication system to enhance operations and ensure high-quality water service. The existing network needed an overhaul to provide uninterrupted and economical Machine to Machine (M2M) communications. The district sought a solution that could integrate seamlessly with its existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor and control water and wastewater operations effectively.

In late 2009, CNPC started a pilot test using a wireless M2M communication solution made by a competitor of FreeWave Technologies. CNPC has numerous oil fields in Northern Peru (El Alto), and it had plans to test the new equipment in a coastal environment near the ocean in Piura, Peru. Close to the equator, the average temperature there is 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), and this particular zone has small rivers and large amounts of rain in the summer. The goal was to have several test sites reporting to a gateway and then into a SCADA system to monitor several pumping devices and equipment including: Pump of Controller (POC), Pump Cavity Progressive (PCP), Balance Oil Recovery System (BORS) and plunger lift. For the pilot, distances between links were not long. However, the challenge was to communicate to sites that were located in depressions, canyons or small streams and did not have clear line-of-site (LOS). Engineers at CNPC attempted to get the pilot M2M network working for several weeks, but the competing communication solutions caused a lot of ambient noise and failed to establish reliable or consistent links. Without working links, the pilot would be a failure.

In 2000, Dairyland identified the need for a M2M communications system to monitor critical field data and streamline power delivery. At the time, wireless M2M communications in the utilities industry was a relatively new concept, and Dairyland’s existing infrastructure was complicated, expensive, inefficient, and cobbled together offerings from about 30 different technology providers. Specifically, Dairyland needed an integrated M2M solution tailored to meet the needs of electric power distributors that enabled high-speed, reliable, and cost-efficient communications in remote locations under harsh weather conditions and line-of-sight challenges from hilly terrain.

Following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in South Florida in 1992, Solarbeam realized the need to upgrade from hard-wired systems, which required extensive piping and trenching, to wireless systems that could be easily integrated into existing infrastructure. The company aimed to develop a comprehensive wireless system designed for independent monitoring, diagnostics, and integrated video. The challenge was to create a reliable, versatile, and cost-effective perimeter protection solution that could operate in remote locations with harsh weather conditions. Solarbeam needed a solution that would allow for easy deployment and configuration flexibility while maintaining high dependability.

Until 2012, Competec had four different locations where products were stored and picked. The ordered products had to be consolidated in the main distribution center through a cumbersome process. In light of the constantly growing demand, the existing logistics capacities were quickly reaching their limits. Because customers expect all orders received by 5:00 pm to be shipped the same day, Competec needed to centralize and automate their logistics operations to meet this level of service. After comparing different goods-to-person concepts, Competec decided in 2011 to go with the new Click&Pick® solution from Swisslog. AutoStore enabled them to achieve a high storage density, and robot vehicles quickly and efficiently handled the storage and retrieval processes for the items stored in bins. The new, scalable, and highly advanced system enabled Competec to quickly and efficiently process a growing number of small batch sizes.

Oil and gas companies operate extensive networks of facilities, often in remote and challenging terrains. Ensuring the safety and security of assets and personnel while keeping equipment in top working order is a high priority. Osprey Informatics needed a reliable infrastructure to manage mission-critical systems remotely. They required a solution that could provide real-time insights, streamline testing processes, and prevent unforeseen budget issues.

St. George Water Services Department needed to collect reliable and accurate data from hundreds of I/O points scattered throughout a large and diverse topographical area. They identified that upgrading to a SCADA system would cover a wider area and provide a better overall network capable of transferring data in real time. The first issue was the protocol for transmitting data from one point to another. In the context of wireless M2M data communication, a network protocol is a formal set of rules, conventions, and data structures that govern how computers and other devices exchange information over a network. The 'backbone' is typically a wireless M2M communications technology to allow for many data items to be transmitted bi-directionally at the same time.

Alamo Group’s distribution operation was working overtime to keep pace with the business’ success. An inefficient, paper-based system in the distribution centers greatly increased the potential for human errors and sometimes hampered customer responsiveness. The company needed a solution that would automate its manual processes, reduce human error, provide real-time visibility and integrate directly with its ERP system. Alamo Group needed a modern mobile solution.

Pilot Brands faced a significant challenge with their outdated accounting package, which was no longer meeting their needs. With multiple warehouses and regional sales offices across the US, the company required an integrated solution to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The existing system lacked real-time integration, leading to inefficiencies in order fulfillment, invoicing, and inventory management. The company needed a robust ERP solution to address these issues and support their growth without increasing staffing levels.

Other options for wireless energy transfer require precise device positioning on a pad or holder, very close proximity to the charging source, and the source can only charge a single device with a single coil. WiTricity engineers aimed to overcome these limitations by leveraging magnetic resonance to enable more flexible and efficient wireless power transfer. They needed to design a system that could charge multiple devices simultaneously, over distances, and through various materials, while maintaining high efficiency and low power losses. Additionally, they faced the challenge of making the technology scalable for a wide range of devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles, and ensuring that the system met safety regulations for electromagnetic fields.

Following a period of sustained growth, Catering Engros needed a new logistics system to handle its fulfilment operation, particularly in light of anticipated further growth. The company sought a system to manage its 24/7 operation in both warehouses and introduce proven standards and processes to improve efficiency in its supply chain operations. The previous reliance on a paper-based system led to frequent errors in picking and shipping, and a lack of real-time stock visibility adversely impacted inventory management. The legacy system could not pinpoint the exact location of stock, leading to bottlenecks and picking errors that required replacement shipments, negatively affecting customer service and environmental impact.

In 2011, the City of Boulder’s Public Works Department (Transportation Division) aimed to enhance its traffic management system to ensure a smooth flow of traffic into, around, and out of the city. Boulder, located less than 30 miles from Denver, experiences traffic volumes exceeding 250,000 vehicles per day due to its attractiveness as a destination spot for its beauty, college town atmosphere, economic prosperity, and tourist attractions. The need for a smart cities application, particularly in traffic management, was critical to maintaining Boulder’s growth and prosperity.

Tire Supplier Distribution Inc., based in Ontario, Canada, faced a significant challenge in optimizing its fleet of ten 3-ton Hino trucks to improve customer service. The company needed a telematics system that could provide real-time updates to track its drivers and ensure timely deliveries. The existing systems they explored failed to meet their requirements, leading to inefficiencies in providing accurate delivery times to customers. The company was determined to find a solution that would allow them to monitor their fleet effectively and improve customer satisfaction.

WMATA faced several challenges in managing its parking facilities. The demand for parking spaces was high, leading to lots filling up quickly and causing inconvenience for commuters. Drivers had no way of knowing which lots had available spaces until they arrived, resulting in wasted time and frustration. Additionally, the existing coin-operated parking meters were outdated, requiring significant investment to replace and offering no data on meter status. Payment methods were also inconvenient, as commuters had to search for coins, potentially missing their trains.

The Santa Rosa Utilities Department faced the challenge of ensuring uninterrupted water distribution to approximately 150,000 residents. The system needed protection from downtime due to faults, failures, and disasters, particularly in scenarios such as water main breaks, electricity usage optimization interruptions, and natural disasters like earthquakes. The department required a simple, cost-effective solution to maintain continuous operation of its critical water distribution control system, which was essential for preventing service interruptions, flooding, and other costly consequences.

DECC Company faced challenges in maintaining and upgrading its existing maintenance tracking system and gage tracking software. The company had multiple systems tracking different parts of the production process, which did not communicate with each other, making it difficult to get a comprehensive overview of the processes. DECC lacked the ability to easily get a real-time view into the status of all processes within the plant and to share necessary information with its employees and suppliers. The company needed an ERP solution that mirrored the quality of its products and could provide better visibility and traceability across its operations.

Chassis Systems Ltd (CSL) faced challenges in ensuring the quality of chassis structures for Land Rover's Discovery and Range Rover Sport models. The production process involved over 200 parts and more than 700 welds, requiring precise quality control. Historically, data recording was manual, making analysis cumbersome and time-consuming. CSL needed a solution to improve data visibility, automate processes, and increase inspection throughput. The manual system was inefficient, requiring operators to generate PDF documents for alerts, which consumed time and resources.

As Barrie grew, so too did its need to reassess municipal programs, such as its paid-parking program, to ensure they were progressively meeting the customer service needs of patrons. The City’s outdated coin-only electronic meters operated on a standard enforcement schedule of Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Parking operations are managed by a small, but efficient parking team consisting of a Manager of Traffic and Parking, Parking Coordinator, two field technicians, and local student interns that help analyze the parking program’s performance. As Barrie sought to upgrade its parking technology, the goals were to provide greater customer service with multiple payment options and maximize efficiency for the City’s parking team in order to do more with less. Another major challenge Barrie needed to overcome was to ensure that the new parking meters would survive the winter and not become inoperable in extreme conditions. Barrie experiences extreme Canadian winters with heavy snowfall, bitter cold temperatures and drastic weather fluctuations that can cause meters to freeze and condensation to form inside the meter. And in the case of solar-powered devices that rely on sunlight to maintain a charge, loss of power from being covered by snow is another potential hazard. Snow falls in Barrie anytime between November and April, with an average of nearly 235 cm (7 - 8 ft.) of snow each winter and temperatures from -25° C to 10.6° C (17.6° F – 51° F) – averages substantially higher and lower, respectively, than many Canadian cities. In light of such harsh environmental conditions, Barrie expected the technology would falter and ultimately fail. Inoperable meters due to snow or frigid temperatures could mean loss of revenue for the City, frustration for motorists, and a burden to technicians that brave the elements to provide maintenance.

In 2012, Oxford, Mississippi faced challenges due to population growth from the nearby University of Mississippi, increased tourism, and strains on infrastructure. The limited parking spaces in the downtown area, known as the Square, were difficult to manage and enforce, leading to cars remaining parked beyond legal time limits. This situation prevented new customers from accessing the Square, impacting local businesses. With only a three-person parking department, the City needed an efficient system to manage and enforce high-traffic regions. The City considered introducing a pay-to-park system in the previously free parking area to improve access, increase revenue, and gain public support for the new initiative.

AHEC faced challenges in managing parking demand due to limited spaces and sought to create a more convenient parking experience for its large student body and extended campus community. The existing parking system needed modernization to promote turnover, provide enhanced payment options, real-time data, and more efficient enforcement. The campus was inspired by the City of Denver's success with Smart Parking solutions and sought to implement a similar system that would be widely accepted and easy to use.

Bethlehem, a historic city in Pennsylvania, faces common parking challenges due to its vibrant downtown area and numerous festivals that attract a large number of visitors and vehicles. The Bethlehem Parking Authority (BPA) needed to educate the public on available parking options and generate support for parking initiatives. The influx of motorists to popular areas presented challenges in managing parking efficiently and improving public perception of parking, which is often negative.

The Borough of Somerville faced challenges with its outdated and disconnected parking system. The existing system relied on coin-only single-space meters and coin and bill-only pay stations from different suppliers, lacking a unified back-end system for data consolidation, analytics, or real-time alerts. This setup was labor-intensive, costly, and limited the Borough's ability to respond to demand or introduce dynamic rates. The legacy system strained the Borough's limited operational and personnel resources and failed to provide a positive parking experience. As a driver of economic growth, Somerville needed a more convenient and frictionless parking experience to support its local businesses. The Borough required a modern, fully-integrated solution that could scale up to additional features and manage all aspects of parking in one place.

The City of Laredo faced significant challenges with its outdated parking infrastructure, which relied on old electromechanical coin-only meters. These meters were prone to maintenance issues such as coin jams, leading to customer inconvenience and lost revenue. Additionally, the lack of alternative payment options resulted in negative customer experiences, as many received parking citations due to not having the correct change. In an effort to enhance customer convenience and modernize its parking infrastructure, the City sought to introduce additional payment options like credit and debit cards. However, the initial vendor contracted in 2011 failed to deliver the required products and results, leading to delays and technical issues. Consequently, the City terminated the contract and issued a second RFP in 2013, eventually partnering with IPS Group, Inc. after a successful trial.

In Los Angeles, the outdated and unreliable parking meters were causing significant revenue loss for the city. The existing meters only accepted coins, which was inconvenient for users, especially after a recent rate increase. The city needed to upgrade to a more efficient system that could accept credit card payments. However, the primary challenge was the lack of funds for such an upgrade. The city needed a solution that would not require major upfront capital expenses but would still guarantee efficiency, increased revenue, and public support.

Santa Monica faced significant challenges in managing its parking system due to the high volume of vehicles and limited resources. With over 20 million vehicles visiting annually and nearly 12 million parking at the city's meters, the existing infrastructure was under strain. The city had only three meter technicians to service nearly 6,000 meters, making even simple tasks like rate changes time-consuming and labor-intensive. The reliance on coin-only meters further complicated the situation, as any rate adjustments required manual reprogramming. The city needed a modern, efficient solution to address these challenges and improve parking management.

Huntington Beach faced significant challenges with its existing multi-space pay stations, which were plagued by maintenance issues and required frequent battery replacements. The machines communicated via daisy-chained copper wires, which degraded quickly due to the corrosive saltwater environment, leading to slow credit card processing and long lines of frustrated patrons. Additionally, the old machines could only support one fixed rate, causing inconvenience and confusion for customers who had to pay at specific pay stations depending on their vehicle type. These issues were particularly problematic at the City’s Pier Plaza parking lot and Sports Complex, where parking demand was high due to the influx of locals and visitors year-round.