After three years of planning, JCP&L crews are implementing a new work management initiative that will help improve maintenance service and manage repairs more efficiently.

The $5 million project will bring Panasonic Toughbook laptops onto 400 JCP&L trucks, which will allow drivers to stay in constant communication with other crews, update orders instantly, view infrastructure and eliminate paper maps.

“With these laptops crews can get turn-by-turn directions and have a visual which makes a big difference,” explained JCP&L Project Manager John Shannon. “Now we can instantly see what is going on and how many calls there are at one time which will give us a big advantage for storm restoration."

According to Shannon, the new initiative was not put into place to fix any existing problems; the new initiative was just a way for JCP&L to become more efficient and stay current with available technology.

The initiative is expected to be complete by March of 2013.