Ready

Ready offers a comprehensive Utility Intelligence Platform™ engineered to manage the entire lifecycle of critical infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on bridging the digital divide through effective broadband deployment. Trusted by public sector leaders and utility innovators, Ready provides a unified system to overcome common challenges such as disconnected workflows, buried data, and compliance risks. It replaces cumbersome spreadsheets and manual processes with a streamlined, automated, and data-driven approach.

The platform is particularly crucial for entities managing large-scale government funding initiatives like the BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) program. It equips state broadband offices, utility operators, and grant administrators with the tools necessary to make smarter, faster decisions, ensuring that every dollar is tracked and allocated effectively to build resilient and reliable community infrastructure.

How to use Ready

Getting started with Ready involves a consultative approach to tailor the platform to specific needs. The typical process is as follows:

1. Request a Demo: Prospective users contact Ready to schedule a personalized demonstration. This session helps understand the platform's capabilities and how it can address specific organizational challenges.
2. Platform Configuration: Once onboard, the Ready team assists in configuring the platform, including setting up workflows for grant management, compliance tracking, and data integration.
3. Manage Funding & Applications: Use the platform to host grant applications, automate the intake process, and manage the entire funding lifecycle from application to allocation and reporting.
4. Leverage Geospatial Intelligence: Utilize built-in geospatial tools to analyze data, visualize project areas, identify service gaps, align projects to eliminate overlap, and target funding for maximum impact.
5. Monitor & Report: Track project deployment and sub-grantee performance in real-time. Use the Automated Reporting & Compliance™ (ARC) module to generate audit-ready reports effortlessly, ensuring compliance with federal standards like those from the NTIA.

Core Features of Ready

• Automated Reporting & Compliance™ (ARC): An all-in-one solution to track deployment progress, ensure federal compliance, and streamline reporting, saving hundreds of hours annually.
• Geospatial Intelligence: Advanced mapping and data analysis tools, including demand point data, community anchor institution locations, and census-block aggregation, to support strategic planning and resource optimization.
• Comprehensive Grant Management: An end-to-end system for grant administrators that includes a map challenge framework, application portals, provider relationship management, and scoring workflow management.
• Real-time Performance Monitoring: Dashboards and analytics that provide immediate insights into utility performance and project milestones, allowing users to spot and address issues proactively.
• Stakeholder Engagement Tools: Features designed to facilitate communication and collaboration between regulators, funders, operators, and community stakeholders.
• Data Aggregation & Analysis: The platform integrates various datasets, such as existing fiber maps and network designs, to provide a holistic view for strategic decision-making.

Use Cases for Ready

Ready is ideal for a range of organizations involved in infrastructure development:

• State Broadband Offices: Managing the complexities of the BEAD program, from processing challenges and applications to monitoring sub-grantee performance and ensuring NTIA compliance.
• Utility Operators: Tracking network deployment in real-time, managing compliance obligations, and using data to plan future expansions efficiently. For example, United Fiber used Ready BOSS to save hundreds of hours per year.
• Grant Administrators: Streamlining the entire grant lifecycle, from application intake and scoring to fund tracking and reporting, reducing administrative burden and human error.
• Public Sector Leaders & Regulators: Making informed, data-driven decisions about infrastructure investments, monitoring progress towards connectivity goals, and ensuring transparency and accountability. ConnectLA utilized the platform to advance its mission of bridging the digital divide in Louisiana.

Advantages of Ready

The primary advantage of Ready is its ability to unify complex processes into a single, intelligent platform. Key benefits include:

• Unified Workflows: Keeps all project stakeholders aligned and milestones on track.
• Actionable Insights: Transforms raw data from spreadsheets and disparate systems into real-time, actionable intelligence.
• Increased Efficiency: Automates repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable time for strategic work and decision-making.
• Enhanced Compliance: Minimizes the risk of human error and ensures all reporting and milestones meet strict regulatory requirements with automated tools.
• Optimized Resource Allocation: Geospatial analysis ensures that funding and resources are directed where they are most needed, preventing waste and project overlap.

Pricing and Plans

Ready's pricing is tailored to the specific needs of each organization and is available upon requesting a demo. The platform is offered in several tiers to accommodate different requirements:

• Grant Administrator Platform: An end-to-end solution for managing grant programs.
• Automated Reporting & Compliance™ (ARC): A focused solution for tracking deployment and ensuring compliance.
• Full Platform: The most comprehensive package, including advanced analytics, geospatial reasoning, custom application portals, and extensive data integration.

To receive a custom quote and see the platform in action, interested parties should contact Ready directly to schedule a demonstration.