mnrem broadband for business

Broadband for Business

Minnesota Renewable Energy MarketplaceAs part of the Minnesota Rural Intelligent

Communities (MIRC) Project

Benefits of broadband

• Increase Efficiency• Expand Market

Increase Efficiency: Knowledge Mgmt

• E-Learning• Online documentation• Automation

San Francisco public Utilities mapping & video• On-demand training

and documentation (Ask Fred)

• Automated processes• Employment

reimbursement time cut in half

Increase Efficiency: Intranets

• Shared calendars• Customer

Relationship/Info Management (CRM or CIM) database

• Renewable Energy Clearinghouse

Midsized utility company moved payments online and CIM.• Allows for

communication with field devices.

• After implementation number of customer agents is reduced.

Increase Efficiency: Remote Access• Staff in the field• Telework/telecommuting

• H.R. 1722 Telework Enhancement Act of 2010

Hennepin County: • Problem: Environmental

engineers, do inspections, come back and then write reports at their desks.

• Solution: Laptops write where you are or at home.

• Increased completion of reports and met deadlines

(eWorkPlace-MN.com)

Increased Efficiency: Remote meetings

• Collaborative Workspace• Webinars• Telepresence

Great River Energy• “The technology is helping us

achieve our rigorous goals to become more environmentally and energy efficient through the use of innovative ideas.”

• Going for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification

Increased Efficiency: Smart Grid

• Customer access to energy usage information (dashboard)

• Intelligent appliances

• There is federal support for Smart Grid advancement and deployment

Smaller Examples

• Expensify – apps for expenses www.expensify.com

• CrossLoop – share computer screen www.crossloop.com

• Skype – free phone www.skype.com• TripIt – a virtual travel assistant

www.tripit.com

Expand Market

Expand Market: Web Site

• Reach customers• Reach investors• Reach policymakers• Reach potential employees

Expand Market: Social Media

• Facebook• YouTube (video)• LinkedIn• Blogs

• Research Discovery Renewable Energy www.facebook.com/elsevierenergy

• NYT Green blog http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/

• Renewable Energy Community www.facebook.com/pages/Renewable-energy/106000689432123

• MNREM Blog www.mnrem.com/blog

Expand Market: SM Management

• Get professional help• Find someone who is

interested• Use tools you can

manage

Next Steps

Future sessions• February – Webinar “Strategic Websites”• March “Strategic Websites” more in depth training in

regions/communities• April – Webinar – “Social media”• May – “Social media” more in depth training in

regions/communities• June- Webinar – “Strategic Online marketing and web analysis”• July – “Online marketing and web analysis” more in depth

training in regions/communities