For Kent-based production rental company, Limelite Lighting, taking delivery of two new QC-Check electrical testing
workstations from Data Strategy at the end of February 2020 just as the industry began to wind down into a global Covid-19 lockdown, could have been a mistimed event. However, the versatility of the product and its ease of use enabled Limelite’s directors to turn the situation to take full advantage of their investment in product safety, warehouse organisation, and logistics.
The ability to commission QC-check workstations remotely – which has enabled customers as distant as Australia and the UAE to benefit from the safety testing system – ensured that Limelite Lighting’s QC-Check workstations, including the robust and rapid testing power of Out Board’s PAT-4 Test Processors and CAB-5 Cable Test modules, were up and running within 12 hours of delivery.
Limelite director, Ed Railton, explains how they were determined to make lemonade from the citrusy timing of events. “At that point, we decided to start a comprehensive testing programme – testing every single item of electrical equipment onto the new system. By the time the industry wakes again, we will have tested in excess of 25,000 items.”
Using the current global lockdown periods to its advantage, Limelight’s warehouse team has been testing non-stop, whilst of course abiding by social distancing guidelines, to ensure every unit of electrical stock is tested and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Railton confirms, “It’s proven invaluable now television production has started rolling cameras again.”
The QC-Check workstations were integrated seamlessly into Limelite’s rental management system, the cloud-based Current RMS. This installation represents the first time QC-Check has linked with Current RMS and following the simple commissioning process, Data Strategy’s MD, Iain Roche, says, “Current RMS is just the most recent rental management system we’ve successfully integrated QC-Check with. QC-Check is designed to integrate seamlessly with rental management systems, bringing powerful, extra safety capabilities and warehouse management to all rental management software.”
Railton confirmed, “We’re very pleased already with our two QC-Check workstations. We made the purchase based on recommendations and following lengthy talks with Iain [Roche]. Until ours arrived, we’d never actually seen one in action! We’d definitely recommend it to any other rental production company. The initial setup was simply processed by Iain remotely and we’ve been able to establish our warehouse testing parameters within it very easily. It’s made this period of downtime very productive!”
ABOUT LIMELITE LIGHTING
Limelite Lighting is one of the UK’s most versatile rental companies, delivering a wide range of lighting, rigging, and power solutions for TV, film, theatre and events. The company’s offering of quality equipment by leading brands and exceptional operation appeals to the needs of renowned lighting designers, gaffers and production companies alike.