The document discusses network design and documentation. It begins by outlining the traditional approach of using separate tools like spreadsheets, CAD software, and GIS for network design, documentation, and updates. This leads to redundant work, data issues, and inefficient processes. The document then presents a modern approach using a single network documentation software solution to integrate all stages of the network lifecycle from initial design through operations and maintenance. Key benefits highlighted include improved efficiency, reduced costs, and empowering staff with accurate network information.

1. 8th SEEITA – 7th SEE ICT Forum
Meeting
& 7th MASIT Open Days Conference
Network Design &
Documentation
in the Digital Age
Presented by:
Diarmuid Kelly, Director Sales International
AND Solution GmbH
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age
October 2010

2. Contents
1 Business fundamentals
2 Documentation approaches
3 Back bone of network operation & maintenance
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

3. Network design & documentation
A solid basis for a solid business
Quality
Design
OPEX CAPEX
Fundamental
Requirements
Quality Quality
Maintenance Build
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

4. Get it right first time
 Plan correctly
− Know what you want to build
− Know the components required
− Know the effort & resources required
 Build to plan
− Bin the trial & error approach
− Cut out unnecessary site visits, a.k.a. “truck rolls”
− You get what you expect
Result:
 Improved productivity & efficiency
 Reduced expenditure, increased profits
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

5. And what is the key?
A network design documentation software solution
for the complete network life cycle
 Network design & build
 Operations
 Maintenance
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

6. What’s it going to cost?
There are two costs to consider:
1. Investment costs
How much will the software put you back?
2. Operational costs
What will the software cost to actually use?
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

7. Investment costs
 Software licenses
 Software maintenance
 Is the software a bolt-on?
− Platform costs & updates?
 Customization
− How many consultants?
− Time to deliver?
 IT environment
− Hardware, operating system & database
 Integration with business/operation systems
− Standard interfaces available (SOAP, WMS, etc.)?
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

8. Operational costs
 How efficient is the software for network design?
− Is it the right tool for the job?
− Single solution or various modules?
− In-house network design included?
− Integrated engineering or do you need external solutions
 How efficient is the software for amending & updating?
 How much training will be required?
− Days? Weeks?
 How intuitive?
− Does the software require specialist users?
− Is the software worker bee friendly?
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

9. Contents
1 Business fundamentals
2 Documentation approaches
3 Back bone of network operation & maintenance
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

10. Design & documentation
Traditional approach
 Design network section with spreadsheet application
e.g. Excel, Lode Data
 Using design results sketch network on paper
 Draft network via CAD tool
e.g. AutoCAD, Visio
 After build completion redraw in separate GIS (documentation)
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

11. Design & documentation
The traditional way
Further
yes
network
changes?
Excel /
Lode Data
Bill of
material
BillBil
of
DTH
Network Fibre
Engineering
Coax Network Update
calculations GIS
Build
Network network
AutoCAD
draft
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

12. Traditional design & documentation
The drawbacks
 Redundant tasks
− Wasted manpower
− Unnecessary costs
 Redundant data
− Data divergence risks
− Liable to transcription errors
− Version management issues
 Inefficient workflow
− Sequential activities
− Difficult to encourage inter-communication
 Lack of integration
− Island solutions
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

13. Traditional design & documentation
What are the consequences?
 Bloated manpower
 Possible issues regarding network performance & reliability
 Profit affected by unnecessary expenditure
− CAPEX
− OPEX
 Negative influence on
− Time to market
− ROI
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

14. What are today’s requirements?
Solution for the complete network life cycle
 Design (according to standards)
 Verification & approval
 Generate BOM
 Construction support
 Verification & acceptance
 Design Documentation
Applies to:
 New builds
 Upgrades
 Extensions
 Repairs & maintenance
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

15. Supporting operation &
maintenance
 Network operation
− Interface to monitoring systems & visualization of alarms
− Interface to business systems, e.g. CRM
− Interface to map and address management systems
 Network maintenance
− Detailed information when on-site
(components, addresses, customers)
− Interfaces to test equipment
− Red lining facilities
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

16. Design & documentation
... the modern approach
Further
network
changes
?
Network yes
Documentatio
n
Design network changes
CRM
Verify design
Generate BOM Build / modify
NMS
Verify build network
Merge to documentation
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

17. Your documentation system
Your dynamic knowledge base
 Company-wide visibility
− Easy access to data encourages participation
 Empowers staff with relevant information
 Enables staff to reach strategic decisions
 Self-policing
− Prioritization
− Synchronization
− Work discipline
 Well defined roles for all
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

18. Contents
1 Business fundamentals
2 Documentation approaches
3 Back bone of network operation & maintenance
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

19. Modelling the network
 Accurate network simulation
− COAX
- Signal levels for complete spectrum
- Powering
- Distortions
− Fibre
- Optical budgets
 Single network approach
− End-to-end HFC, RFoG, FTTx networks
− Allows signal tracing through network
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

20. Measurement and simulation
Trust is good, control is better
 Simulation is what you expect
 Measurement is what you have
 Compare simulation with measurements
− Verify builds, upgrades & modifications before deployment
− Maintenance support: locate problems through mismatches
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

21. Network monitoring benefits
 Reduce maintenance costs
− Detect faults ASAP
− Resolve network faults ASAP
 Maintaining reliable multimedia networks
− Comparison with incumbent telcos
− Keeping customers online, keeping customers
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

22. Documentation & monitoring
 Interface to network monitoring systems (NMS)
− Common cause failure trace
− Transponder monitoring
− Statistical analysis monitoring
− Others
 Visualise alarms in network documentation
− Alarms generated by NMS
− Alarms manually generated by CRM
 Alarm hotspots
− Geographical overview of current alarms
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

23. Electronic red lining
 Main goals
− Cut-out “paper traffic”
− Improve efficiency
− Reduce operational costs
 Report and audit functions
− Components
− Cable and trench routes
 Easy-to-learn, easy-to-use
− Applications for smartphones, PDAs & notebooks
− 15 minutes learning curve
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

24. Workflow for Documenter
 Hotspot overview of e-notes
 Single click to process
− Technician name & contact details
− E-note data
 Double click
− Opens network documentation
 Update documentation
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

25. Thank you
for your attention
Diarmuid Kelly
AND Solution GmbH
www.and-solution.com
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age

26. Do you want
the perfect solution?
Talk to me !
Diarmuid Kelly
dkelly@and-solution.com
Tel. +49 (89) 743533-901
Mobile: + 49 172 6070200
Network Design & Documentation in the Digital Age