Bits & Bytes

A Star is Born

The Star Network Improves Company-Wide Communication

Headquartered in New Braunfels, TX, The SCOOTER Store is the nation’s largest provider of power wheelchairs and scooters. The fast-growing company, which was founded in 1991 by Doug and Susanna Harrison, prides itself on impeccable customer service before, during, and after the sale. As the company grew, Doug sought a better way to communicate critical information to the growing number of employee-owners. Mission in hand, The SCOOTER Store’s IT department and Sharron Brodbeck, project manager, along with Cody Smith of Columbia, MD-based SPL Integrated Solutions, designed and implemented the Star Network.

Launched this past August, the Star Network consists of 16 Sony 42-inch (viewable area, measured diagonally) PFM-42B1 plasma monitors capable of HDTV, connected via CAT5e cable; three computers that feed content to the TVs; one VCR; one DVD; three live feeds; and one direct satellite TV.

Although up and running for just a short time, the network is already a success. “We were sent another plasma from a different company as a demo and we weren’t happy with it,” says Chris Colon, manager of e-commerce for The SCOOTER Store. “The Sony monitors are outstanding! If you look at the plasmas, you can see a distinct difference.”

The Star Network is a work in progress. “In this first rendition, the screen is tiled,” explains Colon. “Eighty percent of the screen displays current information, such as scheduling, training sessions, and even what is on the lunch menu.”

New uses for the network are already in the works. The SCOOTER Store will now be able to improve communication with its distribution centers nationwide. “When the scooters and power wheelchairs are delivered, a picture is taken of the customer sitting in the device,” says Colon. “Until now, we haven’t been able to see who we are giving their freedom and independence. With the new Star Network, that customer’s picture can be shown company-wide on the

Content for the Star Network is created by Charity Spinks and Patsy Bell of Peoplewerks!, an in-house department that helps communicate the company’s core ideologies through special events, training and pep rallies.

A media cart containing a Sony SLV-N88 VHS recorder/player and Sony DVP-NS300/B DVD player lets employee-owners do localized presentations in their area. The network can also receive live video feeds from three different locations throughout the building. “With SPL’s guidance, we built-in the ability to do live video,” says Colon. “We can shoot something with a video camera and it can be displayed throughout the Star Network.”

SPL helped create a system for The SCOOTER Store that is expandable, both in terms of sites and content. “We also have flexibility to show different content, and as we grow and get better at the whole process, the Star Network can grow with us,” says Colon. —Joann Strashun Whitcher