How To Select A Telecommunications Alarm System

Make sure your system supports these key telecommunications alarm system functions:

• Alarm collection and device management. Don't settle for a limited remote alarm network monitoring system. Get multiprotocol support for every monitoring device in your network, plus discrete alarms, analog alarms, ping alarms, and redundant path reporting.
• Alarm presentation and notification. Send detailed alarm descriptions and correction instructions to NOC and field techs via pager alerts and web interfaces.
• Alarm sorting and analysis: Make sense of alarm cascades with automatic intelligent alarm sorting, filtering, processing, and trend analysis.

Essentials Checklist:Telecommunications Alarm Systems.

Here's a handy checklist of telecommunications alarm systems features that you should look for in your next system. Print this checklist out and use it to rate the systems you're evaluating. If a system can't meet these basic requirements, cross it off your list.

Essential alarm sorting and analysis functions.

• History and trend analysis. Identify problem areas and eliminate recurring problems with a system that keeps a complete alarm history that's exportable for trend analysis.
• Custom combo alarms. A low battery isn't a serious problem, and neither is a failed generator, but they're pretty serious when the happen at the same time. Look for a system that can watch many different alarm inputs and spot vital alarm combinations.
• Root cause analysis. Finding the underlying cause between alarm cascades can take hours of patient detective work. Look for a system that can automatically tie in repeated combinations of alarms.
• Nuisance alarm filtering. Even the best NOC staff stops taking alarms seriously if they're bombarded with status alerts, oscillating conditions, and unimportant alarms. Look for a system that filters these out.
• Alarm sorting.A large, complex network can create a cascade of alarms. Some are unimportant, but others are vital. Look for a system that can automatically sort and prioritize this flood of information for you.

Key alarm presentation and alert functions.

• Alarm correction instructions. Detailed instructions included in alarm alerts ensure that system staff, without extra training, will know precisely what to do and who to call if an alarm happens.
• Web interface. Everybody knows how to use a Web browser. A Web interface makes sure all your field techs can access your alarm system, from any computer from any location. \
• Detailed alarm notifications. Summary "major/minor" alarms don't give you enough information to make dispatch decisions. Look for a network alarm monitoring system that includes detailed diagnostic information in each alarm.
• Pager and e-mail notifications. Pager and e-mail alerts let your field techs respond to alarms while they're still in the field, speeding repairs and reducing windshield time. Look for a system with SMS support, which can send detailed alarm alerts to alpha pagers, cell phones, and PDAs.

Critical alarm collection and device management functions.

• Multiprotocol support for your existing devices. Make sure your next master system collects alarms from all your existing devices, including your older legacy gear. You can get rid of all your specialized consoles and monitor your network from one screen.
• Live analog monitoring. You can't adequately monitor battery levels, temperature, and humidity with one-threshold contact closures. Look for support for analog inputs, including live monitoring of actual analog values.
• Back-up dial-up reporting.Don't rely on your main network to bring back alarms. If anything goes wrong with your transport, you'll lose your telemetry data just when you need it the most. Look for a system that supports dial-up alternate path reporting.
• Control relays. Many common site problems, from power outages to high temperature alarms, can be solved by quickly turning on a generator or an air conditioner. Remote operation of site devices is the best way to eliminate unnecessary site visits and it's a lot faster than going in the truck.
• SNMP support and ping alarms. If you're responsible for both telecom and IP gear, consolidate all your monitoring on one system.

"Every telecommunications alarm system I make is backed by my no-risk, money-back guarantee. If you buy my gear and you're not satisfied for any reason during the first 30 days, simply return it for a full refund. If my product doesn't solve your problem, I don't want you to have it."
- Bob Berry, CEO, DPS Telecom

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