Project
Network Lifecycle Replacement
Client
Pacific Gas & Electric
Location
Oakland, CA
Project Overview
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), one of the largest utility providers in the United States, required a multi-year lifecycle replacement program to upgrade over 3,000 network switches and wireless access points across a vast 70,000-square-mile service region. The objective was to ensure continued security compliance while maintaining network reliability across critical infrastructure sites.
Layline's Role
Layline Automation was responsible for executing the replacement program, handling all aspects from logistics to deployment. The scope of work included equipment pickup and delivery, installation, network testing, site reporting, decommissioning of outdated hardware, and comprehensive project management. Layline leveraged its proprietary web-based software tool to streamline asset tracking, perform remote quality control approvals, and generate customized client reports, ensuring transparency and real-time project oversight.
Challenges
The project posed several challenges, including coordinating deployments across geographically dispersed locations, adhering to strict security and compliance protocols, and managing inventory logistics for thousands of network assets. Additionally, minimizing downtime during equipment swaps at critical infrastructure sites required precise scheduling and execution.
Solution
Layline implemented a structured approach to address these challenges effectively. A phased deployment strategy was adopted to minimize service interruptions, ensuring that installations were performed efficiently without disrupting PG&E’s ongoing operations. The Layline team developed and utilized a centralized application to monitor installation progress, verify compliance, and generate real-time status updates for all stakeholders. Additionally, Layline’s trained technicians followed rigorous quality control measures, including remote approvals via the proprietary web-based application, to ensure each installation met PG&E’s security and operational standards. By maintaining seamless coordination with PG&E teams and executing methodical project management, Layline successfully completed the lifecycle replacement program within the defined timeline and compliance requirements.
