CooperCraft Communications Announces Merger with Select-Tel Systems

CooperCraft Communications is pleased to announce their merger with Select-Tel Systems, located in Albany, Georgia. Upon completion of the merger, the company will operate solely under CooperCraft Communications, Inc. “We see this as an opportunity for the business to grow. The employees will have a broader area of work and this will be the best way for them to expand their careers,” said Tom Aldridge, President of Select-Tel Systems. “The progress that we want to make as a business, we see in CooperCraft. They are progressive and aggressive, which is necessary in this line of business. This is a very positive move for the business as a whole and all employees involved. I believe that the Select-Tel customers will continue to receive excellent service. The business philosophy of the two companies is very similar. Everything that CooperCraft wants to do for their customer, Select-Tel wants to do as well. The customer is, and will continue to be, our primary focus,” said Aldridge. Jerry Cooper, CEO of CooperCraft Communications believes this to be the next step in order to keep up with client demand and a growing customer base. “We are excited to merge and partner with the employees of Select-Tel Systems. They have proven to be a well-run, strong business through-out the years and we are looking forward to the opportunity of serving the existing Select-Tel customers. CooperCraft Communications is excited about the opportunity of expanding our business to meet all of the client’s needs. Tom Aldridge, with over 20 years of experience in fire and life safety, will be director of this newly developed division. We are excited about the growth of our company and will continue to exceed customer expectations,” said Cooper.

CooperCraft Communications is centrally located in Tifton, Georgia, and serves clients in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.

CooperCraft Employee Wins National Cabling Challenge for Second Consecutive Year

Lee Renfroe of CooperCraft Communications recently attended the 2013 BICSI Winter Conference and Exhibition in Tampa, Florida. The conference offered seminars over a four day period that discussed emerging technologies as well as government and industry standard updates. Lee attended sessions over data center efficiency, cabling challenges in healthcare facilities, wireless, and the future of fiber. “It is great to work for an organization like CooperCraft. They support their employees and give us the training we need to be successful.  In the end, it’s all about doing the best job we can for our customers,” said Renfroe. During part of the conference, Lee participated in the Cabling Skills Challenge Competition. The competition covered all aspects of an installer’s job including copper cable installation and termination, fiber termination, fiber splicing, troubleshooting/technical support skills, and a written test. Lee competed against 16 individuals from around the country and one from Japan. For the second year in a row, Lee was crowned as “BICSI Installer of the Year” and brought home a $5,000 cash prize. Congratulations, Lee!

Athens Regional Health Systems Partners with CooperCraft Communications in a 3-Phase Security Overhaul

In 2010, Athens Regional Health System realized the need for an upgrade in their security system. While searching for the right company to partner with, they came upon CooperCraft Communications.  “When I came on board back in 2009, we had two different access control systems. We were also in need of a larger Security Control Center and many upgrades to our CCTV monitors and cameras,” says Bruce L. Powers, Director of Security Services at Athens Regional Health Systems. “The hospital needed a way to simplify our security systems.  It was decided that we would conduct the security overhaul in three total phases, beginning in 2010 and the decision to partner with CooperCraft was made after our team conducted site visits and saw the work that CooperCraft had already completed for other hospitals our size.” The first phase was to cut the existing 161 analog cameras recording on GE DVRs, to Axis Q7900 and Q291 encoder racks. The video was moved to OnSSI recording platform, running on Intransa VA210 video servers. There were also 10 I.P.  cameras added in this phase. There was also a need for an upgraded control center, which was also completed during Phase One of the security upgrades. The next steps in phase one of the security overhaul was to cutover a total of 25 doors from an ACDB access control system to S2.This added more doors to the original S2 install of 32 doors. In addition, there were 66 new doors added on S2. Phase one was complete in August of 2011. Phase two began that same month with 12 additional IP cameras and 17 more doors added to the S2 system, all of which were completed in March 2012. The third phase began with transitioning the parking deck card access system to S2. There are a total of 10 card readers on the parking lots and decks of the hospital campus. During this install, 7 IP cameras were added and 4 exterior cameras were added for security of the perimeter of the hospital. While the three phases are completed, CooperCraft Communications continues to partner with Athens Regional Health Systems on several small, routine projects. “We are very satisfied with all of the products and service we received with CooperCraft. The integration of our systems and new installs of cameras have simplified our jobs. We are able to protect our patients, as well as our employees. The service we get from CooperCraft is exceptional,” said Powers.  Tom Ham, Project Manager and Technician with CooperCraft Communications, provides service to Athens Regional on a daily basis.” “The service we get from Tom and everyone else at CooperCraft is excellent.  We are proud to have partnered with them and look forward to working with them in the future” said Terri Payne, Security Services Department Coordinator at Athens Regional Health System

Tift Regional Medical Center Provides Extra Security and Peace of Mind to New Parents

Tift Regional Medical Center and CooperCraft Communications have built a very successful relationship over the years. The biggest project so far has been the construction of the Data Center, which was built in 2011. “CooperCraft has always been a valuable business partner to Tift Regional. We have been able to work together on multiple projects. Our most recent project is the Cuddles™ system we are implementing on our pediatric floor,” says Wade Brewer, Director of Technology Infrastructure Services. Accutech’s Cuddles™ is an infant protection system that helps prevent abductions and provides a general sense of safety and security to infants and their families. The system combines patented tags and bracelets, equipped with advanced RFID technology. The technology is very simple which allows nurses and doctors to spend more time on what matters most--the needs of their littlest patients. This system allows for a mother and baby match, multiple floor monitoring, and several notifications, that will alert hospital personnel of any possible harm to the infants. “The bracelets that are placed on the infant are very soft, and self-adjusting. They won’t fall off due to movement or weight changes, and an alarm will sound should the bracelet be cut off or removed. The tag is very lightweight, and can also be turned off when not in use to conserve battery. Should the tag be removed or tampered with, the perimeter will be locked down immediately,” says Tommy Thornton, Director of Technology at CooperCraft Communications. Brewer says that the staff is very excited about the Cuddles™ system. “Our staff and personnel believe that this system will give our patients that extra peace of mind and a sense of safety while they are at Tift Regional. CooperCraft has consistently proven that they are a leader in the security and cabling industry. They have always provided us with excellent service and are always there when we need them.”

Relocation of CooperCraft Communications

     The end of the year is fast approaching! 2012 was an important year in the history of CooperCraft, the main reason being the relocation of our headquarters. Since opening for operation in January 2002, the corporate headquarters have been located in Sylvester, Georgia. With the company growing at a fast pace, the decision was made to relocate to a larger facility in Tifton, Georgia as of January 2012. Tifton is located about 20 miles east of Sylvester. It was a strategic move, made after careful consideration and knowing the needs of the growing customer base. Being located in Tifton and directly off of Interstate 75, offers CooperCraft the ability to continue to grow as a company, all while building and maintaining the current relationships with many businesses in Southeast Georgia, North Florida and Alabama.

     "We are excited about the advantages Tifton offers as we continue to grow and increase market share. We are eager to build relationships with other businesses in the area and want to be the provider of choice for their building technology needs. We also look forward to being an active partner in the Tiftarea community," Jerry Cooper, CEO of CooperCraft Communications.

    Brian Marlowe, President & CEO of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce released the following statement: "We are pleased to welcome CooperCraft Communications to Tifton as our newest corporate partner. Our community continues to move forward even as our country experiences the most challenging economic times in our rich history. CooperCraft is a quality company and we are fortunate to have them choose Tifton for their corporate headquarters."

    CooperCraft Communications' new facility is located at 4475 Union Road in Tifton, Georgia. This location offers 25,000 sqft, which will allow the company to continue to grow and accommodate their growing customer base. The larger facility will also allow for possible expansion in the future.

For more information on CooperCraft Communications,
please visit our website:
 www.coopercraftcommunications.com

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CooperCraft works with Miller Brewing Company

CooperCraft is working at Miller Brewing Company in Albany, Georgia installing telecommunications, cabling, and CCTV systems.

CooperCraft works with Procter & Gamble

CooperCraft is working on several projects at Proctor & Gamble in Albany, Georgia installing data and voice cabling along with fiber optic cabling.

CooperCraft Communications featured in Security Sales & Integration

CooperCraft Communications are proud to be featured in Security Sales & Integration.

To read the article you may click here or scroll down to read.

Hospital Undergoes Integration Operation
by By Jamie M. Farrell

An award-winning medical facility recognized for innovative services and customer satisfaction, Tift Regional Medical Center is a 191-bed hospital serving 12 counties in South Central Georgia. With its legacy system beginning to fail and to ensure the safety of its 95 physicians, 1,500 staff members, 24 security officers, patients and visitors, hospital decision makers prioritized bringing security in line with the organization’s forward-thinking approach.

Several key factors had to be considered when evaluating the possible security solutions. Poised for growth, the medical center’s expansion includes a new intensive care unit that is currently under construction. Tift Regional Medical Center also supports several remote locations that are managed from the main campus, including a second medical campus with doctors’ offices and facilities in adjacent towns.

Working closely with systems integrator CooperCraft Communications, the medical facility’s Tift Regional Medical Center selected a combined digital video and networked access control solution that, among other things, provided smooth integration, the ability to download floor plans, set up alert levels and lock down the facility instantly, and expansion capabilities as the hospital’s footprint and security requirements continue to grow.

Staying Ahead Of The Curve

Tift Regional Medical Center security specialist Lt. Nicholas DeJohn can’t help but view hospital security from a law enforcement perspective. DeJohn joined the hospital after a successful career as a Connecticut State Police officer, and never forgets how important speed and agility are when it comes to keeping communities and citizens safe.

“Hospitals are no longer sacred areas,” says DeJohn. “We need to be able to secure this facility at a moment’s notice.” He is particularly concerned about being able to secure the emergency room and nursery. “Everyone should feel secure when coming to our hospital.”

With an outdated security system, the management and administrative tasks were increasingly time consuming, components were beginning to break down, and it was difficult to replay video and access reports. The system was barely able to fulfill the hospital’s security needs, let alone improve efficiency within the facility.

When it came time to review possible replacements, DeJohn knew he wanted a single system that could grow to tie all of the medical center’s facilities together and that would ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff. It would need to streamline processes and improve monitoring capabilities. Finally, the system had to be capable of both handling a large-scale deployment and being able to expand as the medical center grew.

Integrator Referred By Colleague

With a reputation for reliability and a relationship of trust built over time, CooperCraft Communications was looked to by DeJohn for recommendations on a new system.

Following 12 years of experience in the electrical and telecom industries dealing with both low and high voltage, Jerry Cooper and his wife, Maggie, founded CooperCraft in January 2002.

“I wanted to provide a higher level of service to clients beyond what I could do working for someone else,” says Cooper. “I wanted to establish a company to control the way my customers were treated and have the authority to solve their problems in the best interest of the client without the only thought being profitability.”

From an initial focus on its core telecom systems competencies, the company has grown into other areas such as security systems and cabling infrastructures.

Today, most of the company’s business is generated through customer referrals, which was the case with Tift Regional Medical Center as Bob Howe, facility manager for Colquitt Regional Medical Center, originally recommended the integrator to DeJohn.

Distributor Helps Sell Solution

CooperCraft Communications specified the combination of S2 Security Corp. access control and Dedicated Micros (DM) video surveillance technology to DeJohn.

“This is one of the best IP-based systems we have seen,” says Jerry Cooper, CEO of CooperCraft. “We consulted Scott Bryan [regional security manager for Anixter], our IT distribution partner. He reviewed the project and recommended the solution as a perfect fit for this type of project. We were able to come in with a more cost-effective system and still do everything they wanted us to do.”

“We love to take an end user like Tift Regional Medical Center and an integrator like CooperCraft and bring them an integrated solution,” says Bryan. “That is what Anixter does best; we bring best of breed for the application they have. I love recommending DM against any conventional DVR because it is so easy to use and it integrates so well with the S2 platform. Anixter has experienced huge success recommending the S2 platform for integrated security projects.”

The two systems are completely compatible and connecting them together on the network was a simple procedure accomplished in the software user interface. Though the project’s many components will take several stages to roll out, DeJohn is already seeing the benefits of an IP-based system.

“We have buildings scattered throughout the area, and need to be able to pull all of the locations together,” says DeJohn. “Now, we can get on the network from any point and make things work, with excellent video integration. And our IT team is impressed that you don’t have to load software on their system.”

For this large-scale deployment, S2 NetBox and DM’s solution offered a high level of flexibility, scalability and ease of implementation. Tony Cooper, Jerry’s brother and the project manager for CooperCraft, says, “The simple ease of installation and programming of both systems was extremely important in job efficiency.”

System Includes 10 Dvrs, 65 Doors Tony Cooper’s skill and expertise led to a smooth retrofit installation from the old legacy control system to the new S2/DM system. The most problematic issues were the logistics of the hardware and the existing system cabling.

“In order to keep job costs in line with Tift Regional’s budget, the old cabling for the security system was utilized where possible,” says Tony Cooper. “As with any retrofit installation, there were several other challenges, but due to good planning and project management, the installation was a success.”

In addition to the new systems being installed without the need to run new cable, no special databases had to be configured. The S2/DM devices integrate over a standard IP network. Events detected by the access control and alarm monitoring systems of the NetBox can initiate video recording; likewise, video motion detection by the recorder can trigger alarms on the NetBox.

The S2 user interface allows single-click retrieval of video associated with an event from any Web browser. And the video replay and report generating that used to take security staff up to seven hours to find now takes seconds using DM’s Digital Sprite 2.

The project included completely renovating the security command room with new business furniture to create an efficient, functional space. “Previously, the old furniture and multiple CRT monitors took up most of the space in the room,” says Jerry Cooper. “With the renovation, Tift Regional now has a security office capable or supporting general office work and the administration of their security systems.”

With the first stage of installation complete, the Tift Medical Center system currently runs approximately 120 cameras, 10 DVRs — each connected to its own monitor — and access control for 65 doors. Immediate plans call for the addition of another 30 cameras, two DVRs and seven doors.

End User Becomes Best Salesman

DeJohn continues to marvel at the system’s advanced features. “I am very interested in the system’s ability to download floor plans for the hospital, set up alert levels and lock down certain areas immediately,” he says. “If an incident occurred, I could even go out with local enforcement and control any door I needed to, remotely.”

He is so pleased that he has visited other hospitals to demonstrate the system’s ability to show live video, run reports and unlock doors from remote locations.

“This is the system of the future,” says DeJohn. “With an IP-based system, we are four to five years ahead of other hospitals in our ability to monitor and control things. And the … technology work so well together, it actually makes our jobs in security easier.”

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