Marshall-Dekalb Electric Cooperative

Overview

Evolving with the Community

Rooted in cooperative principles and decades of community-driven growth, Marshall-DeKalb Electric Cooperative (MDEC) continues to evolve with the needs of the members it serves. As more members turned to the website for everyday service needs, accessibility, security, and clarity became essential to that experience. MDEC partnered with Powerful to protect member information, simplify essential services, and ensure every visitor—regardless of ability—can engage with the cooperative with confidence.

Secure by Design, Simple by Experience

Online forms have long been part of how MDEC serves its members. These tools allow visitors to complete essential requests such as starting, stopping, and transferring service without needing to call the office. As more visitors relied on these forms, they became a primary way members interact with the cooperative.

Powerful refined MDEC’s existing online forms to make them easier to complete and more consistent across the site. Clear prompts guide visitors step by step through each request. This allows members to move through essential tasks with confidence and fewer delays.

These requests require visitors to share highly sensitive personal identifiable information (PII), including driver’s license copies and Social Security numbers. Every submission carries a layer of trust. This information must be handled with care. Protecting it is not optional. It is directly tied to member trust and the cooperative’s responsibility to its community. As online services continued to grow, MDEC recognized that protecting personal information had to remain a top priority.

Trust Built Into Every Form

Sensitive personal information is collected through these forms, which required security to be strengthened alongside usability. MDEC opted into Powerful’s Premium Security package to support every submission behind the scenes. This protection includes two-factor login authentication, real-time traffic monitoring, and automatic blocking of harmful activity. Sensitive form fields are protected so personal details are not exposed through internal systems or email delivery. All stored PII is encrypted within the website’s database.

Online forms and premium security now work side by side across the MDEC website. As visitors complete service requests, protective measures operate quietly in the background. This structure supports MDEC’s goal of offering dependable online access without separating convenience from responsibility. Every online interaction is supported by both function and protection.

Designed for Every Visitor

That same human-centered approach carries into accessibility. With guidance from Powerful, MDEC prioritized an experience that works for every visitor, including those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or visual adjustments. Clear page structure helps visitors move through content in a logical order. Readable color contrast supports those with low vision. Consistent form layouts and clearly labeled fields help reduce confusion and make each step easier to follow. Keyboard-friendly navigation allows visitors to move through pages and forms without relying on a mouse. Descriptive link text helps screen readers understand where each action will take them before selecting it. These details ensure that essential services remain within reach for all members, not just some.

Together, online forms, premium security, and accessibility now operate as one connected experience. Visitors can complete important service requests with confidence, knowing their information is protected and the tools are designed for real-world use. The website reflects MDEC’s commitment to responsible service– where access, protection, and simplicity work hand in hand.