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
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