Packaging Corporation of America

The Search for a High-quality Mass Notification System

Overview

Location: Lake Forest, Illinois

Organization: Packaging Corporation of America

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) focuses on the entire packaging production process from start to finish, including designing, manufacturing, and shipping boxes. We spoke with Jeremiah Schupbach, Senior Systems Engineer and Architect at PCA, who managed the Alertus System deployment to learn more about their mass notification system (MNS) decision process. 

Before Alertus, PCA used email as their primary communication method. The PCA security team contacted IT with a request for a high-quality mass notification system. With active shooter incidents increasing in the news, there was a heightened need for preparedness, enhanced safety, and emergency management. After evaluating many different systems, Schupbach determined that Alertus was the best fit for PCA.

Challenge

Industrial manufacturing operations are inherently hazardous, and workers are often off-site or working in dangerous areas, so it is critical to be able to reach them quickly. Schupbach wanted to find a flexible solution, like the Alertus System, to provide customized and targeted alert notifications, alerting device and system integration, and sensor monitoring capabilities that immediately trigger and automate alerts during an emergency. 

Solution

Flexibility was a big selling point; the ability to integrate the Alertus System with existing communication devices on the floor and throughout the building is impactful for PCA. Many of their factory workers don’t have computers in their working area, so leveraging Alertus’ software integration capability for alert notification via a TV screen override helps keep them informed while on the factory floor. Schupbach also noted the Alertus System as an economical choice for them. 

Alertus System usage across PCA is very site-specific. They have a total of 130 PCA sites, and 12 of those have implemented the Alertus System. Each site, located across the country, has a different mass notification use case, so Schupbach’s team works with them on their unique needs — whether that’s for software or hardware-based solutions.   

“Many of our sites have been really pleased with implementing the Alertus Activator App and the Alertus Desktop™ solution,” said Schupbach. In addition to emergencies, Alertus Desktop notifications are used regularly for customized organizational and administrative announcements at PCA. The Alertus’ Activator App allows authorized users — such as production and quality managers who are often on the go or the floor — to activate an alert directly from their phone, even when they’re away from their computer.

Conclusion

Schupbach chose the Alertus System for its system simplicity, reliability, and flexibility. The customized notifications are unique and allow PCA to deliver targeted communications to their employees. There are some PCA sites that would like to leverage Alertus’ two-way radio integration, which they plan to explore in the future.