The Heinz Family

About Us

On March 8th of 2002, Todd and Wendy Heinz purchased Gallup McKinley Mega Central, Inc., a high-capacity broadband Internet Service Provider (ISP). In January of 2004, after purchasing the assets of Community Internet Access, a local small ISP, they officially changed the name of the organization to Southwest Communication Systems, Inc. The mission was to serve the rural areas of New Mexico and Arizona with internet access.

Over the few years that followed, they began to specialize in the provision of internet to large school systems, and they brought on high level staff to help with our engineering and expertise. Due to the complexities of the communication needs in large school districts, they purchased Rio Grande Radio Communications and became a two-way Motorola radio communications dealer. This addition allowed them to expand their portfolio of two-way communication, telecommunication and internet products and services they could offer to small rural schools and their communities. They also became an E-Rate Provider through the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Services Administrative Company. This allows them to apply for rural school, library and health care facility subsidies for the needs of the community. Over the past seven years they have received in excess of $5 million through that program to help improve the internet access at rural schools in New Mexico and Arizona.

In 2008, Southwest Communication Systems (dba SCSConnect) combined all of their available products to become one of the leading providers of two-way radio communication, telecommunication and internet product and service providers in the entire Four Corners Region. With their engineering expertise in wireless, fiber and two-way Motorola radio communications, they can engineer almost any communication solution you need. SCSConnect brings together the technology, expertise and desire to work in small community situations, in order to provide the reliable internet and network connectivity that your organization and community may require.

Todd and Wendy, with their sons, Caleb and Jonathan work in the Gallup area and live next to Window Rock, AZ, just 3 miles from the border of the Navajo Nation. They believe strongly in getting communication out to the rural areas because they live there and know what it is like to struggle to get the basic communication necessities like phone and internet to their house. That has been a driving factor in their work and ultimately the success of their business.

Description of Capabilities

We specialize in providing a broad spectrum of capabilities designed specifically to serve the communication needs of rural communities. We bring the kind of advanced technology and support often available only in larger metropolitan cities to schools, public safety organizations, business enterprises and individuals who live in the sparsely populated regions through Motorola products.

The SCSConnect team has years of experience in working with communities and school districts to find project funding assistance, accessing federal, state, and private sources.

To start a project off on the right foot, we provide system-wide functionality assessments in order to clearly identify local needs and system requirements. User training is included with all projects, large or small.

To assure on-going functionality, we provide tailor made, on-site, preventive maintenance programs to keep systems operating efficiently using our rapid response in-house repair capabilities.

Areas of Focus

Education and Training District-wide Connectivity – Broadband internet connectivity to schools, offices and homes. Distance Learning – Affordable wireless portals for shared content, web-classes and homework management. Safety and Security – Technology enabling security tools such as video surveillance, bus communications, remote monitoring and remote access control. Contingency Planning – Providing critical emergency communication pathways for faculty, staff, students and first responders in emergency situations. On-site Technology and Business / Leadership Skills Training. Certifications for computer professionals, hands-on desktop applications. Leadership and employment readiness classes.

Public Safety Interoperability – Providing regional inter-agency communications for a coordinated response and safety preparedness. Personal Safety in Remote Areas – Constant communication links for those providing services to citizens in remote areas. Regional Command Centers – Providing the critical link between urgent public needs and fast, effective and appropriate responses.

Systems and Services Available

Motorola Land Mobile Radio Systems Repeater Systems Trunking Systems GPS Systems Public Safety Vehicle outfitting Video monitoring and security systems Enterprise communications systems License and frequency allocation Professional IT Training A+, Network+ Certifications Desktop Applications Vue Testing site Business & Leadership Skills Training Certified Workforce Trainer Element K courseware

Wireless Motorola Microwave Links Licensed and unlicensed infrastructure design, engineering, and installation Backhaul Point to point Point to multi-point High Speed Internet Connections Service lines: DS3, OC3, OC48, QMOE, and higher Monitoring and technical support Hardware maintenance

Partners

SCSConnect Customers