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The Power of Client Support and Scalability in Enhancing Telco Reliability

By Andrew Erickson

August 29, 2024

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At DPS, as a manufacturer of remote monitoring gear, we understand the importance of reliable network monitoring solutions when dealing with critical infrastructure.

Recently, we had an interaction with a client through our website "chat box". This online conversation can teach you a lot about how we address and resolve urgent monitoring needs, especially for telecom companies:

Telecom Towers

Identifying the Problem: Failed Monitoring Device

The conversation began with our client explaining the urgency of their situation. The client is a contracted agent with an internet, TV, and phone service provider. They needed to replace a failed monitoring device at one of their sites as a result of performance issues:

"Hello, I need sales assistance... I need pricing. I'm a contracted agent/employee with a telecommunications company and do have my own company... Basically looking to purchase this to solve an issue with a failed one on a site of ours."

This situation is not uncommon. Network failures or malfunctions can lead to significant downtime and disruptions.

Having a reliable monitoring system is crucial to maintaining operational efficiency and reducing costs. Therefore, it's very important to resolve any failed monitoring gear as quickly as possible.

Older RTUs Need Updates for Efficiency

As Colin, an engineer at DPS, engaged with the client, it became clear that the existing solution was an outdated model with limited capabilities. Newer options were available:

"That's a very old model that used MS-DOS for the interface."

Outdated technology, by definition, lacks the technology needed to operate in the modern world. Relying on such systems can lead to frequent failures and increased maintenance costs.

We'll Present Options to Help You Find the Ideal Solution

Colin quickly identified the most suitable solution for the client's needs - the NetGuardian DIN series. This line of remote telemetry units (RTUs) is designed to offer good monitoring capabilities for small sites and cabinets:

"I can create a proposal for the NetDog 82IP G2 and the AC adapter if you would like... If you want, I could include different part numbers as optional items. What kinds of things do you need to monitor (as far as discrete inputs, analog inputs, serial ports, etc..)?"

The NetGuardian DIN series provides full monitoring with both discrete and analog inputs. These input and output features make sure that all critical parameters are tracked and reported accurately. This ensures that any issues are detected and addressed promptly, minimizing downtime.

Troubleshooting Guide
For managing network failures and other monitoring issues, download the Remote Site Troubleshooting Guide.

Always Ask About Alternatives

During the conversation, the client expressed interest in exploring the full range of available options to ensure comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

This proactive approach is always recommended when you're shopping for anything. It's best to do a bit of homework online and then ask lots of questions. That gives you better solutions while also letting you assess your vendor's responsiveness.

"Would be good to know what these others costs are too though: D-PK-NETDG-12004.00001, D-PR-991-10A-07."

By considering multiple part numbers and variants, this client ensured that they were well-informed about the available options. Of course, Colin arranged for a price quote to be sent out for the part numbers.

A Detailed Quote Can Be More Useful Than a Full Price List

Next, the client clarified their immediate monitoring needs, emphasizing the requirement for discrete inputs:

"If easy to: it would be great to get pricing for the entire lineup but the current need would be just for the 8 discrete inputs."

This focus on discrete inputs is understandable. Discrete inputs allow for monitoring various on/off conditions. This capability is essential for tracking the status of equipment and environmental factors.

DPS Telecom's NetGuardian RTUs are designed to offer strong support for discrete alarms, in quantities from 4 to 256.

The breadth of our available build options is massive (there are over 150 builds of the NetGuardian 832A G5!), which makes a price list difficult. Also, it would be so large that it would be very confusing.

The proven process that we've followed in the past has been to understand what you're trying to accomplish and quote a small selection of options. That takes the burden of extensive research off of you and onto us. That way, we can leverage our decades of experience to help you.

If you're a distributor seeking pricing information, you should similarly contact us about what you're trying to accomplish for your customers.

Be Ready for the Future with Scalable RTUs

DPS Telecom's monitoring solutions are designed with scalability in mind, allowing for future expansion as client needs grow.

For small sites, there's the NetDog mentioned earlier and the DIN-mounted NetGuardian DIN that's well suited to cabinet enclosures.

For medium or large sites with 19" or 23" racks, you have units like the NetGuardian 216 to larger RTUs like the NetGuardian 832A:

  • NetGuardian 216: Ideal for small to medium sites with support for 16 discrete alarms and a handful of analog inputs​​.
  • NetGuardian 832A: Perfect for larger sites, offering 32 discrete points and 8 analogs. You'll also get a serial terminal server and other advanced functions.

You Need Great Vendor Support for Any Monitoring System

The client's concern about not dropping the chat - and the assurance provided by our engineer - reflects our commitment to continuous support and minimal service disruption:

"I won't drop the conversation, and I have your email address just in case the webchat drops."

This assurance underscores our dedication to providing reliable support and seamless transitions. This demonstrates that clients can maintain operational continuity even during equipment upgrades.

Beyond the Basics of Monitoring Solutions

Towards the end of the discussion, the client confirmed their need for an AC power source for the new monitoring equipment. They specifically mentioned the requirement for a wall transformer:

"48 vdc would be standard. The wall transformer would plug into AC power and convert to 48 vdc."

DPS Telecom's RTUs include various power options to ensure that equipment can run in various environments. You'll find -48 VDC, +24 VDC, +12 VDC, and wide-range combinations of these nominal voltages. AC wall transformers / adapters / warts are available if needed.

Choose a Reliable Monitoring Partner

DPS will give you customized, reliable, and scalable monitoring solutions. Whether you are addressing immediate needs or planning for future expansions, our expert engineers are here to support you every step of the way.

Contact DPS Telecom now to see our range of monitoring solutions and find the perfect fit for your network. Call us at 1-800-693-0351 or email sales@dpstele.com. Your critical business operations deserve nothing less than the best in network monitoring.

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Andrew Erickson

Andrew Erickson

Andrew Erickson is an Application Engineer at DPS Telecom, a manufacturer of semi-custom remote alarm monitoring systems based in Fresno, California. Andrew brings more than 17 years of experience building site monitoring solutions, developing intuitive user interfaces and documentation, and opt...