Photograph of USPS package sorting machine

Client: United States Postal Service (USPS)

Description:

The United States Postal Service (USPS) operates mail and package sorting machines at many locations across the United States. One of the main package sorting machines has many servers that provide various operational significance to the entire system. These servers are located many hundreds of feet away from each other and the electrical noise within this environment is very high. On-site technicians sometimes are not equipped to rectify some of the more difficult issues that arise with these machines. The USPS routinely calls upon high-level technicians to help with these issues.

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Project Services and Objectives:

GL was contracted by the USPS (IT and Maintenance Group) to develop a system for remotely controlling these package sorting machines. GL worked with a partner to develop a system that USPS is actively using today. The system provides complete remote Keyboard, Video and Mouse (KVM) controls to the high-level technicians so that they can remotely address the issues. This has resulted in tremendous time and money savings for the USPS. High-level technicians are not traveling as much and the package sorting machines out-of-service time has dropped significantly.

Below are a few project highlights:

• Develop internet-based KVM monitoring solution for Package Sorting Machine
• Engineering study - transport cable selection without errors in high noise environment
• Work with USPS’s IT group to assign IP addresses to system components
• Develop Work Order Manual for USPS technicians to properly install system
• Configure, test and assemble site-specific hardware to be installed