Client Profile:
In 1965, Spokane International Airport, located in Spokane, WA, dedicated their modern Terminal complex, which remains in use today. The facility is operated through joint agreement between the city and county. In 1946, then Geiger Field, which was established as an Army Air Corps training facility for the B-17 Bomber, was transferred to the City of Spokane for temporary civilian and commercial use.

Challenge:
Spokane International mainly had problems tracking maintenance information. The main concern in the maintenance department was tracking labor hours spent maintaining airport equipment. With square footage totaling over 700,000, which encompasses seven buildings and approximately ten acres of covered parking, energy conservation and reducing costs is crucial. Spokane International could not afford to over-maintain their equipment because the amount of square footage that Spokane International leases is based upon operating costs. When management sets up budgets for upcoming years, the maintenance department was unable to track their staffing needs because there was no quantifiable data to justify adding more employees. It is a difficult task maintaining 700,000 square feet with 11 employees in the department: two electricians and nine technicians. After September 11th, 2001, tracking costs became more important than ever.

Action:
Spokane International never had an active inventory or a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) in place. They did, however, have an energy management system from Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI), headquartered in Milwaukee, WI. Spokane International knew an automated system would make maintaining equipment easier and provide the documentation necessary for upper management. When looking for a CMMS, one factor in their decision was choosing a software solution that interfaced with their existing web-based JCI product. Spokane International looked at several CMMS vendors before deciding on Eagle Technology, Inc.'s ProTeus software solution, which came highly recommended by JCI. As an Eagle Technology, Inc. partner, JCI knew that ProTeus could seamlessly interface with their product and help Spokane International track actual machine run hours. Like in the fairy tale, Goldilocks said, "It was just right," so too was the fit of ProTeus at Spokane International. Eagle Technology's pricing was very attractive and it was the only product to track runtime of equipment.

Solution:
Spokane International first purchased Eagle Technology, Inc.'s ProTeus software solution in 2003. They upgraded to ProTeus Professional with Mobile PDA for Palm, an HVAC Preventive Maintenance (PM) Task module, and the ProTeus Alarm Interface (PAI) to BACnet. Spokane International elected to purchase Crystal ReportsŪ, which allows them to tailor over 120 reports, included in ProTeus, to their specific needs. ProTeus manages everything in Spokane International from electrical pumps to HVAC, lighting to baggage and garage doors, to name a few.

Spokane International sent one employee to a training class at Eagle Technology, Inc.'s location in Mequon, WI. It was then decided to bring a ProTeus Training Specialist from Eagle Technology, Inc. on-site to Spokane International. It proved more beneficial because employees had the option to attend the training session to learn about the features they would use in ProTeus, while others could stay for the entire class.

Many mechanics have used ProTeus for entering work orders in the system because it is so straight-forward and extremely user-friendly. Ken Landrus, Maintenance Superintendent at Spokane International, mentioned that, "ProTeus is not a terribly complicated tool, but there is a lot of learning involved." Currently, Spokane International is assigning their equipment to both individuals, as well as teams, within the maintenance department. Landrus also stated that, "There is a lot of equipment that is common responsibility. Demand maintenance (DM) and PM slots can be filled if a technician has some extra time."

Results:
The PAI for BACnet has proved successful for Spokane International. Efficiency is realized in several areas such as labor, costs, and equipment. Landrus commented on PAI stating, "Upon receipt of an alarm or trigger in MetasysŪ, we are able to provide an instantaneous response to the particular piece of equipment. The ability to activate PM work orders based on runtime values is extremely effective. This allows for not only a reduction in labor and operating costs, but an increased equipment life."

Spokane International has become more proficient in labor hours since using ProTeus. Approximately six and a half hours are allotted to each employee in the maintenance department. Documentation through ProTeus has shown that labor hours have been upped to nearly seven and a quarter. Landrus now knows that he "is getting a full day's work out of his employees for a full day's pay." Landrus also said that ProTeus has made life easier and he is more informed. "I know who is performing and who is just having an off day."

Since the installation of ProTeus, not only is Spokane International working more efficiently, but they are working smarter, as well. According to Landrus, "It is a better busy. More things are planned and we are not blindsided by surprising events or demand maintenance that needs to be done. It allows for a more calming and pleasant workforce."

Future Goals:
Spokane International still has a lot of work that they would like to do with ProTeus. Landrus stated that, "There is always something new to do in the [ProTeus] system and features that have not begun to be explored yet." One goal is to have their entire inventory entered into the system. Originally, they were not going to use the Inventory feature in ProTeus, but the training provided by Eagle Technology, Inc. made them realize how important it was. Landrus predicts that this goal will take four months to complete. Another goal is to have their entire equipment used within Spokane International to be entered into ProTeus, which is 5,500-6,000 pieces, with a completion time of March or April 2008. Spokane International currently has 2,500 pieces of equipment entered, which has already been increased from 1,700 before Eagle Technology, Inc.'s training sessions. Equipment entered in ProTeus ranges from door hinges to locks, electric panels to belts and bearings, etc. Landrus noted that, "The ProTeus program is a very powerful tool for managing our workforce. We do not use the interface much yet, but we will as soon as we get all of our equipment logged in."

Through ProTeus, Spokane International has tracked over 2,800 DM work orders total. Management has never received this type of data before. It proves that the relationship between Eagle Technology, Inc. and Spokane International has been beneficial. Eagle Technology, Inc. looks forward to a long-lasting relationship helping Spokane International improve their efficiency and further reduce costs.

About Spokane International Airport
Additional information about Spokane International Airport can be found on the web at www.spokaneairports.net.

About Eagle Technology, Inc.
Additional information on Eagle Technology, Inc. and ProTeus can be found on the web at www.EagleCMMS.com

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