The enormous quantities of lumber and building materials that arrive at Port Manatee create an equally enormous inventory tracking challenge. Southeastern Communication Service, Inc. (SECS) of Sarasota has just completed installation the wireless components of a tracking system that allows the port authority to maintain a continuous updated inventory of all the materials as they pass through the facility. The Port Manatee Forestry Terminal has become the largest importer of plywood and wood fencing in the Southeast with 600,000 tons of wood offloaded and transshipped annually. This figure is likely to continue increasing with new construction and rebuilding of hurricane damaged buildings fueling the growth. The Port Manatee Forestry Terminal encompasses 138 acres and includes more than 180,000 sq.ft. of under-the-roof warehouse storage space. The wireless inventory control system devices installed by SECS operate in conjunction with handheld asset tracking units. They are able to track materials at every point of terminal operations. The installation includes 15 integrated access points along with environmental enclosures and required more than 4,500 ft. of fiber optic and data cable.
“Its growing importance as a vital link in handling building material needed for our surging economy has made it necessary for Port Manatee to develop new and innovative inventory control systems. SECS is pleased to have played a key role in installing wireless communication systems needed for the Port’s continuing growth,” says SECS President Daniel Lester. Southeastern Communication Service, Inc. is a general contractor specializing in design, engineering, construction and maintenance of wireless communication facilities. Headquartered in Sarasota, Fla. since 1990, the firm has become a leader in the communications construction industry. SECS headquarters are located at 2017 Cattlemen Road in Sarasota. The phone number is (941) 378-0080. For additional information, the firm’s website is http://www.secs-wireless.com.