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Case Studies
City of Anderson Gets a Full Technology Makeover

City of Anderson Gets a Full Technology Makeover

Business Environment Challenges
Located in the northwest corner of South Carolina, the City of Anderson (the City) encompasses approximately 14 square miles and is located in the geographical center of Anderson County. Situated on the I-85 corridor from Atlanta to Charlotte, the city is in an area known as one of the nation’s hottest growth areas, and has been ranked as one of the best American cities for a business location. 

When the City first contacted Sharp, its multifunction printers (MFPs) were unable to perform simple tasks, such as scanning and printing, without breaking down repeatedly. Additionally, the public works department had approximately 20 filing cabinets full of paper engineering plans and drawings that were at risk of being destroyed if there was ever a fire, flood or other disaster. The City recognized that it needed a digital document management solution that would offer back up and disaster recovery in order to keep its critical documents safe from being hacked.

In the City Council Chamber, outdated, analog audio visual equipment needed to be digitized. In order to keep its constituents informed, the City regularly broadcasted its council proceedings via the local cable channel. The City Council Chamber, which resembles a small auditorium, sports seating for the members of the City Council as well as theater seating for any City residents wishing to watch or participate in the proceedings.

The outdated equipment was difficult to use and took up a lot of space. Additionally, it didn’t work very well. When a document camera zoomed in on documents the images were often unclear.  Council members also worked with a bulky projector and screen when displaying new business information, and analog cameras and outdated audio equipment.

“Without Sharp’s services, we would have had to spend weeks rescanning the data in order to get it back into the system." 

Adam Cromer, Stormwater Manager, City of Anderson Public Works Division.

 

Organization

The City of Anderson, SC

Challenges

  • Previous MFP devices were unable to perform simple tasks
  • Outdated analog equipment in the City’s A/V studio 

Solutions

  • 23 Sharp MFPs
  • 15 laser printers
  • Remote Monitoring and Management services
  • Backup and Disaster Recovery system
  • Document management system with wide-format scanner
  • 1 PN-L703B AQUOS BOARD interactive display
  • 1 LC-80LE661U 80" diagonal commercial display
  • Two 42” Class (41.9” diagonal) Sharp digital displays
  • Designed and integrated a complete overhaul of City Council Chambers audio visual system

Results

  • Printing, scanning and copying in the various City departments is more reliable
  • Recovered documents within a matter of hours when the document management system was hit with Ransomware
  • New digital A/V system in City Council Chambers has provided enhanced communications to City of Anderson constituents 
  • Intuitive digital A/V system is easier and more intuitive to use
  • Improved communication among the city council members allows for better decision making