Telecom is seeing a paradigm shift in the way its CAPEX and OPEX intensive infrastructure is created, operated and maintained for optimum performance.

The introduction of low cost operating model built on the principle of 'pay per use' is witnessing the emergence and growth of tower companies across the world. The business model for such companies centers around lending the same infrastructure to different operators on a sharable basis. The demand for higher uptime and reduced costs makes it critical for tower companies to manage their asset base efficiently and cost effectively.

Our Tower Operating Center (TOC) solution zConnect provides a credible solution for this need. Some of the proven business benefits of our solutions include:

• Central monitoring of geographically spread asset base
• Reduced manpower costs achieved through pooling and efficient Work Force Management
• Higher uptime with proactive and alert based monitoring
• Usable for 'Passive' as well as 'Active' components of the network
• Efficient usage of resources
• Enabler for acquiring O&M business

Functional capabilities of zConnect:

• Acquire alarm data
• Monitor SLAs
• Monitor all infrastructure alarms
• Generate event activity input for a trouble ticket system
• Monitor all infrastructure performance data and KPIs
• Manage and monitor performance of Work Force Management

The primary objective of zConnect, Tower Operating Center (TOC) is to monitor the alarms and key performance indicators of site infrastructure. ZND has architected a multi-layered TOC solution which comprises five key layers running on different technology platforms. These platforms are integrated through an enterprise integration layer. The various layers along with their functions are enlisted below.

Physical Layer

This layer predominantly constitutes telemetry hardware and a local data network. A suite of sensors (such as door, smoke, fuel and humidity sensors), AMF panel on diesel generator, energy meters, surveillance camera, AC controller, etc. are connected to passive infrastructure units at a shelter site. An intelligent controller aggregates the data from sensors for a site shelter. The solution can take care of multiple shelters at one site.

Communication Layer

The controller is equipped with a GPRS module which carries data packets to the central Tower Operating Center. The communication module can support communication through two different operators. On board memory ensures data retention for a few days in case of prolonged communication failure.

WFM Layer

The process plane integrates with the technical work force to send alerts in the field and receive feedback to close trouble tickets.

SLA Management Layer

This layer provides functionalities for managing SLAs committed to customers.

Application Layer

The application layer constitutes several sub layers. The data acquisition layer receives the alarm data from all the sites and uses an error check mechanism to ensure no data loss occurs during transit. It also prevents data corruption. The alarm management layer handles alarms that are received at the operating center. TOC engineers can work on this data to minimize site downtime. A ‘Rule Engine’ correlates various alarms and interprets the actions required to resolve them. A Process management layer creates trouble ticket work flows and integrates various modules (such as the purchase ordering, work ordering, inventory management, and asset management systems) of the business support system. Finally, an analytic layer analyzes large volumes of asset performance data from various shelter sites to provide key insights into operations of the business.