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Reserve Your Seat Today| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric power generation and distribution |
| Company Type | Fortune 500 energy producer and distributor |
| Geography/Coverage | Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi |
| Primary Challenge | Failing masters for 100+ Badger 1200 RTUs with no support |
| Solution Deployed | Custom-engineered T/MonXM Larse Interrogator |
| Key Result | Avoided hundreds of thousands in replacement costs |
| Implementation Timeframe | 3 months |
| Products Used | T/MonXM with custom Larse Interrogator, FSK Converter |
Southern Company is a Fortune 500 energy producer and distributor. Their service territory extends throughout Alabama and Georgia, with coverage in parts of Florida and Mississippi. The company operates critical microwave sites and tower light monitoring systems across this region.
Glenn Lippincott oversees network monitoring from Southern Company's Birmingham NOC. The company relied on over 100 Larse/Badger 1200 RTUs polled by two Badger masters. Badger Corporation had gone out of business years earlier. No support was available. The software hadn't been updated in 7-8 years. Lippincott kept the masters running by cannibalizing parts from dwindling spare stock.
"If the masters went bad, I'd be in trouble. I was down to my last two Badger masters that actually worked."
Glenn Lippincott, Southern Company
Lippincott called DPS tech support with a question about his T/MonXM system. During troubleshooting, Ron Stover walked him through configuration menus. Lippincott spotted a module called "Badger Interrogator" and asked what it was. That question changed everything. He already used T/MonXM to poll 500+ DPS remotes but didn't know DPS could help with his older equipment.
DPS completed custom engineering in three months. Development was risk-free for Southern Company. They would only pay if the solution worked. Lippincott assisted by providing a remote, a failing Badger master, and system information.
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Tech Support Discovery | Lippincott spotted "Badger Interrogator" module during routine support call with DPS engineer Ron Stover. |
| Compatibility Testing | Initial software didn't work with Badger 1200's 20-bit protocol. Custom development would be required. |
| Custom Engineering | DPS engineers adapted FSK Converter and wrote new software in 3 months for Badger 1200 compatibility. |
| No-Risk Implementation | Southern Company paid nothing until the solution proved successful in their production environment. |
The custom solution gave Southern Company a smooth migration path. Instead of replacing all Badger masters and remotes at once, they could upgrade on their budget and timeline. The monitoring infrastructure was consolidated to a single platform.
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Cost Avoidance Realized | Hundreds of thousands of dollars saved by avoiding wholesale equipment replacement |
| Single Unified Platform | Eliminated need to train staff on two separate monitoring systems |
| Flexible Migration Timeline | Budget-friendly phased replacement of Badger remotes over time |
| 24/7 Expert Support Access | Direct communication with DPS engineers who designed the solution |
"DPS told us we didn't have to pay if it didn't work. It works and it's sweet. It's definitely simplified our operations."
Glenn Lippincott, Southern Company
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Protect Infrastructure Investment | Extend the life of field-deployed equipment while modernizing your central monitoring platform. |
| Control Migration Costs | Replace older equipment on your timeline and budget rather than all at once. |
| Simplify Operations | Monitor all sites from a single platform regardless of equipment age or manufacturer. |
| Access Expert Support | Work directly with the engineers who designed your solution when you need help. |
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| T/MonXM Network Alarm Management | Multiprotocol master software that polls remotes across 20+ protocols. |
| Larse Interrogator Module | Custom software enabling T/MonXM to poll Larse and Badger RTUs (1240-1442 series). |
| FSK Converter (Custom) | Protocol mediation device converting 20-bit to 8-bit packets for T/MonXM. |
How do you handle equipment from discontinued manufacturers?
DPS specializes in custom engineering solutions that provide a migration path from discontinued equipment. We can often poll your existing remotes from our T/MonXM master software, giving you time to replace field equipment on your schedule rather than all at once. Development typically takes under 90 days with no upfront engineering fees for reasonable order quantities.
Can T/MonXM monitor equipment from multiple manufacturers simultaneously?
Yes. T/MonXM supports over 20 protocols including SNMP, Modbus, DNP3, TL1, and many proprietary formats. You can monitor equipment from different manufacturers, different vintages, and different protocols all from a single platform. This simplifies operations and reduces training requirements for your team.
What happens if our monitoring requirements change after purchase?
T/MonXM's modular architecture allows you to add support for new protocols, integrate additional equipment types, and scale your monitoring as your network grows. Many clients start with one application and expand to monitor their entire infrastructure over time. The system adapts to your changing requirements without requiring a complete replacement.
How long does it take to develop a custom solution for proprietary equipment?
Custom development typically takes 2-3 months from initial consultation to field trial. For the Southern Company project, DPS developed the complete solution in 3 months. We focus on rapid turnaround because we understand you need solutions quickly, especially when dealing with failing equipment. Our no-risk engineering approach means you only pay when the solution works.
What kind of support can we expect for monitoring critical infrastructure?
You'll work directly with DPS engineers, not call center representatives. Our support team includes the people who designed your equipment. We provide 24/7 emergency support and typically resolve issues remotely through phone and screen sharing. Many of our support engineers have 20+ years of experience with our products and understand the operational challenges you face.
Managing older equipment from discontinued manufacturers? Facing costly forklift replacements? DPS specializes in custom solutions that protect your infrastructure investment while providing a smooth migration path.
Or call us: 1-800-693-0351
