MILWAUKEE – (January 17, 2008) – Johnson Controls has signed a $13.9 million performance contract with the city of Hollywood, Fla., to outfit the City with a Wi-Fi wireless communications platform, an automated water meter reader system and solar-powered multi-space Wi-Fi parking meters.
The operational and energy efficiencies from the projects are expected to save Hollywood more than $23 million during a 15-year period. Johnson Controls, under the terms of the performance contract, will guarantee performance of the technology improvements. The savings will come from the performance of the wireless technologies, which will create operational efficiencies in multiple departments and streamline many city functions.
“Today’s approval of this technology project puts Hollywood on the cutting edge of Florida’s cities in providing superior service to its residents and positions us to continue attracting world class technology and life sciences companies,” said Hollywood Mayor Mara Giulianti. “I am particularly excited about Hollywood’s being a wireless city and the versatility it provides. This initiative continues to build on our commitment to use technology to enhance the efficiency of local government and provide the highest quality municipal services."
This new Wi-Fi communications platform will allow Hollywood’s public safety agencies to operate more efficiently while providing free outdoor Internet access to all city residents, businesses and visitors. Wi-Fi users will enjoy Internet access at speeds similar to that of DSL, while the strength of the municipal signal will allow, for example, police officers in squad cars to download information vital to public safety quickly and efficiently over a secure network.
Wireless technology will enable Hollywood’s water meter reading process to become fully automated. This will ensure all utility customers obtain accurate and timely water billings based on actual – not estimated – usage. An automated system also gives the city flexible billing options and provides leak detection capabilities.
Hollywood will also receive solar-powered Wi-Fi multi-space parking meters that will reduce the frequency of trips by parking meter collectors. MetroFi and Hexagram will be Johnson Controls’ technology partners for the project.
“Johnson Controls is proud to help forward-thinking cities like Hollywood find solutions to their challenges,” said Alfred Guerrero, Solutions Account Executive, Johnson Controls. “Our Network Integration Solutions expertise will help Hollywood connect and streamline diverse processes through a centralized Wi-Fi network. Hollywood residents should be pleased that their elected officials found a fiscally responsible way to bring real progress to their City.”
About Johnson Controls, Inc.
Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI - News) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com .
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SOURCE: Johnson Controls
CONTACT: Kari Pfisterer of Johnson Controls, +1-414-524-4017, kari.b.pfisterer@jci.com
Web site: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/
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