Forest Conservation

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Background and challenges

In the heart of Africa’s diverse and expansive forests, our customer, an esteemed entity dedicated to rehabilitating degraded natural forest areas, conserving public forests, and enhancing forest cover, faced significant challenges in communication infrastructure. Particularly in remote forested regions where traditional means of communication were inadequate. The lack of reliable LTE coverage hindered effective communication among field personnel, jeopardising the efficiency and safety of field operations, necessitating a robust solution to bolster connectivity and coordination.

Ensuring safety in hazardous environments

To overcome these obstacles, they sought a comprehensive communication system that could ensure reliable connectivity and real-time coordination among its dispersed workforces. The customer chose their system integrator to implement a tailored communication solution featuring a 25-site Simoco DMR Tier III network, with around 400 subscribers operating across different operational areas within the forests. Including features such as voice communications, lone worker safety, man down detection, dispatcher positions and GPS location tracking.

Benefits

• GPS location tracking
  The implementation of GPS location tracking functionality enabled FS to precisely monitor the whereabouts of field personnel in real-time. This capability significantly enhanced operational efficiency and safety, allowing for swift response to emergencies or incidents.
• Voice communications
  Simoco’s solution provided robust voice communication capabilities, facilitating seamless coordination and collaboration among dispersed teams operating
  within the forested areas. This ensured that critical information could be relayed promptly, thereby optimising workflow and decision-making processes.
• Man down detection
  The system’s man down detection feature automatically alerted designated responders in the event of a user becoming incapacitated or unable to move. This proactive approach to safety ensured that prompt assistance could be rendered, potentially averting more severe consequences.
• Lone worker support
  The inclusion of lone worker support features offered an added layer of safety for field personnel operating in remote and potentially hazardous environments. In the event of an emergency or incapacitation, lone workers could quickly summon assistance, thereby mitigating risks and ensuring their well-being.

Achieving conservation excellence

With Simoco’s state-of-the-art communication infrastructure integrated into the their daily operations, the client experienced a transformative improvement in its communication capabilities. Staff are now equipped with robust tools to collaborate effectively and ensure the sustainable management of precious forest resources. The customer is able to overcome communication ‘not spots’, enhance operational efficiency, and ultimately progress with its mission of managing and expanding a sustainable forest for the benefit of present and future generations.

Why Simoco?

The system integrator, with a rich background of experience and expertise in implementing such systems, collaborated with the client to choose Simoco’s solution based on several compelling factors. These included Simoco’s established track record of successfully deploying systems for similar organisations globally, as well as Simoco’s commitment to open standards and its reputation for delivering reliable and resilient communication systems.