Workflow Software Helps US Schools Rebuild after Devastating Tornado
Moore, Oklahoma (PRWEB) December 18, 2013 -- ServicePRO, the latest version of the award-winning service desk software developed by Help Desk Technology Corporation (HDTC), was integral in the rebuilding of the Moore Public School system in Oklahoma following the aftermath of this year's tornado, according to Lisa Grace, assistant to the director of technology for Moore Public Schools.
“The Asset Management feature was a huge help [as it enabled us] to pull up how many computers each school had and how many servers were there in order to know exactly what it would take to get them up and running again,” explained Lisa. “It was a great tool that allowed us to see in a quick view what we had and what we needed.”
As the assistant to the director of technology for Moore Public Schools, Lisa was at work in the IT department when the EF5 tornado hit, demolishing two schools completely and almost leveling another. The destruction was extensive enough to merit a visit from President Obama, who offered the full support of the federal government.
“The day was designated by the weather man to be a severe weather day. It was clear at first; we had clouds, just normal clouds, but we were doing a lot of weather-watching. The [forecasters] had the path of the tornado drawn out in the direction the storm was going, so we knew it was coming our way and many schools would be in its path,” said Lisa, adding that it was one of the scariest days of work in her career.
“Our technology department is located behind our administration building, so when we got the phone call desperately urging everybody to get out, we all went to a lower room in the administration building and just waited and watched until all the powers went out and we lost communication,” Lisa explained.
“The technology building was completely destroyed, so there was no communication whatsoever,” Lisa remembered. “Our IT department--amazing guys!--were right there, working late into the night and through the next day. They climbed into the rubble [to salvage] whatever they could. They tried to find enough pieces of the server room equipment to get the district up and running again. They did a great job.”
Lisa said that in the days and weeks that followed, ServicePRO (formerly HelpSTAR) continued to be instrumental in helping the IT department organize and rebuild.
“We need to use this product in more ways, not just for [rebuilding] after tornados, but for the on-going building of sites and departments,” said Lisa, reflecting on all the capabilities she sees in the software. “I would love to bring the other departments in our school system in to use the software and show them what it can do. Everybody has their own technologies, but I think if we were centralized into using one software, we could be more productive and more efficient and be able to work better together as a team.”
The storm past, Lisa and her IT department are back at work.
“We are starting from scratch. New furnishings, new equipment, new server room, even new company vehicles. I just have to laugh when I think that within about 60 seconds I lost my office, my car and home,” Lisa said. She added thankfully: “My family all lived through it and that is what matters most.”
For more information on how you can put ServicePRO’s collaborative workflow software to work for your organization, go to http://www.serviceprocloud.com or contact the ServicePRO team directly at sales(at)serviceprocloud(dot)com.
Cassandra Irving, Help Desk Technology Corporation, http://www.serviceprocloud.com, +1 (905) 829-3405 Ext: 245, [email protected]
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