When you work in network operations, problem-solving is usually a collaborative effort. Recently, I joined a call involving a value-added reseller (VAR) and a technician from a small independent telco.

Our goal on the call was simple: figure out how best to monitor critical environmental factors at the telco's remote central offices (COs).

The telco, spread across two counties, needs to ensure that each site stays at the right temperature and humidity, even through harsh winters.

Up to now, the technician had relied on home-built sensor setups. This is always an inventive approach, but one that was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

At DPS, we see this happen so often that we have a name for it: "The In-House Solution Stack Hack"

Discovering the Underlying Needs

On the call, I started by asking what they were hoping to accomplish and what issues they currently faced. The telco technician explained the source of the problem:

End User: "I've hand-built some stuff... just very rudimentary sensor-wise to monitor temperature... and with things that come with that, there's always something that breaks somewhere. I was looking for something more official."

Like many small telcos, they'd tried patchwork solutions. They had to manage aging generators and heating and cooling systems, all while ensuring their crucial network equipment never overheated or froze.

This "in-house solution stack hack" works for a while. But as your network grows, DIY solutions become a growing maintenance burden. They're (ironically) at their worst when they actually work well! That's when you start drowning in device production and support requests.

The end user wanted a system that could provide reliable visibility. The existing system included door alarms, generator run status, and a few sensors, but it wasn't cohesive or scalable.

The VAR had introduced them to our company, DPS, based on the success we've had with other telcos.

Reseller: "We've had a lot of luck with DPS Telecom, like at [telephone company] here in [this area]... using DPS products to monitor things."

Clarifying the Requirements

Over the course of our conversation, it became clear the telco needed more than just temperature readings. They wanted to ensure HVAC units were operational, generators engaged when needed, and that any environmental anomalies (like a failed AC unit on a hot summer day) wouldn't go undetected.

They also needed reliable door contacts. They wanted to know if someone entered the site. They were also interested in considering lead-lag HVAC control to reduce visits to remote sites.

Me (Andrew Erickson): "If you have something you want to track, we'll track down a sensor and confirm it's viable. Anything with a contact closure, a voltage, or a 4-20 mA output - we can pick up with a NetGuardian RTU."

The user was also facing the challenge of integrating with their current infrastructure. In their words, sometimes purchasing cheaper off-the-shelf devices led to a frustrating loop of calls and unanswered questions.

They needed a manufacturer who could provide both the hardware and the guidance. They needed someone to break the vicious cycle of dead-end referrals to third parties.

End User: "I've inquired with some other vendors... usually it falls through. No one ever really gets back. Or if I'm like, 'What's the sensor list?' they say 'Call the manufacturer,' and the manufacturer says, 'We don't talk to you...' and you go through this vicious circle."

Recommending a Tailored Solution

After I understood their environment (eight COs, each needing temperature and environmental monitoring, plus a few inputs for doors and generators), it was time to propose my recommended solution. I offered two configuration paths:

1. TempDefender G2 RTU: A scaled-down remote telemetry unit (RTU) that provides essential monitoring - temperature, door alarms, generator run signals - without unnecessary complexity. It's simple, robust, and effective for sites that need straightforward data collection.

   While not built on our latest G6 platform, the TempDefender G2 covers this telco's needs effectively. They get enough alarm capacity for future expansion (e.g., humidity sensors) and straightforward connections via "flip lock" terminals. For the telco, who may eventually want more sensors, having spare capacity is crucial.

   Me: "We'll have spare alarm capacity for later integration with additional sensors like motion detectors or humidity sensors, ensuring comprehensive site monitoring."

2. HVAC Controller G6 RTU: This device not only monitors doors, power feeds, and environmental conditions - it can also directly control one or two HVAC units per site. This feature is perfect for those central offices where maintaining precise environmental conditions reduces truck rolls.

   Me: "If you'd like to control 1-2 HVAC units per site in addition to monitoring doors/generators, the HVAC Controller G6 is the right choice."

Both options give the telco a secure, reliable way to check on their remote sites at any time. Instead of relying on a patchwork of hand-built sensors, they'd have a purpose-built solution designed for telecom environments.

Addressing the Budget and Decision-Making Process

The reseller asked how the telco planned to justify the investment internally:

Reseller: "Putting together some numbers for a budget, so you can bring it to management and say, 'These are the bells and whistles'... is that what you're looking at?"

The telco's technician explained that presenting a cohesive, cost-effective plan to management often meant showing both the functionality and the long-term savings.

Essentially, they confirmed they'd have to propose the solution and demonstrate its value.

A Path Forward: Reliability and Support

As we wrapped up, everyone seemed confident. The telco would finally have a direct line to a manufacturer who not only builds the monitoring gear but also supports it over the long haul.

The VAR, having worked with us before, knew that we provide both standard and custom solutions without leaving clients stranded.

For their part, the end user was finally ready to take charge of this project before it was too late:

End User: "This is something we wanted to tackle, and we've yet to do it... so it's kind of like now or never."

Next Steps for Our Telephone-Company Client

I'll be preparing a formal proposal that outlines both options, their pricing structures, and our standard 30-Day No-Risk Money-Back Guarantee. With this detailed quote and plan, the telco can confidently move forward.

If they choose the TempDefender G2, they get plenty of straightforward, reliable monitoring functionality now.

If they select the HVAC Controller G6, they also gain more advanced capabilities to optimize their environmental levels.

In either case, we're setting them up for long-term success. Over time, this solution will reduce truck rolls, prevent outages, and free up the technician's time for higher-value tasks. They won't waste time tinkering with homemade sensor rigs that are always one glitch away from a costly failure.

Custom-Tailor Your Monitoring for Long-Term Success

Your remote sites are too important to rely on hand-built systems that inevitably fall apart under mounting demands. By moving beyond "in-house solution stack hacks" and embracing a scalable monitoring strategy, you ensure that every site - no matter how remote - stays stable, efficient, and accessible.

Ready to Solve Your Monitoring Challenges?

We're here to help you design a monitoring strategy that fits your unique environment. Call DPS at 1-800-693-0351 or email sales@dpstele.com to speak with an expert today.

Let's build a system that frees you from daily maintenance headaches so you can focus on delivering reliable service to your customers.