Client Story: Maximize Communications Uptime with Network Monitoring

Client Story: EA Networks Network Monitoring

To enable Utility companies to keep their services running and respond quickly to any outages, communications need to be available 24/7. To proactively minimize the impact of any disruption to their DMR Tier 3 system, EA Networks chose to have the experts at the Tait Service Management Center (SMC) monitor their communications network.

The client: EA Networks

EA Networks is an electrical and fiber network company based in the Mid Canterbury region of New Zealand. They own and operate the area’s electricity sub-transmission and distribution network, delivering power to 20,000 customers via 3,200 kilometers (1,990 miles) of distribution lines. The company also owns an advanced fiber optic communications network, offering broadband internet services.

EA Networks focuses on delivering safe and reliable electricity and broadband internet services to support their community and the local economy. They employ a large field services workforce of 80 staff to maintain and improve the company’s networks, to keep the region power and internet connected.

Tait is proud to have a long and successful partnership with EA Networks, providing communications solutions to help them keep the lights on, safely and efficiently. Learn more about these solutions here.

Safety and Efficiency as Top Priorities

Worker safety is crucial at EA Networks. Electricity linesmen must be able to communicate with each other when restoring service after a storm, making routine repairs, or deploying new services.

“For everyone working at EA Networks, safety is more than just a priority, it is a core value and an integral part of every function of our organization”

– Myles Connew, Operations Manager, EA Networks

Another major concern for EA Networks is the ability to respond quickly and efficiently to incidents, because when there’s an electricity or communications outage, customers expect a speedy resolution with as little disruption as possible.

Proactive Network Management: Network Monitoring by Tait

EA Networks operates a DMR Tier 3 trunked network, using Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) services to boost visibility of their mobile workforce. The DMR network supports a fleet of approximately 80 vehicles with TM9355 mobile radios, plus 30 TP9360 portable radios.

Tait Network Monitoring and Management Solutions

To enable proactive management of any issues, EA Networks’ DMR infrastructure is monitored 24/7 by the Tait Service Management Center (SMC). Tait SMC uses industry-standard automated monitoring systems and assesses equipment alarms using remote diagnostics.

Tait SMC contacts EA Networks if there’s a major alarm on the node or a base station requires action. If a site visit is required, EA Networks coordinates with a local Tait dealer for L1 field support.

Benefits of the Tait Solution

The network monitoring by Tait SMC enables EA Networks to respond quickly and proactively, so any interruptions to their communications system availability can be minimized.

“The network monitoring service is really important to us because real-time communication is essential to our business. EA Networks does not have radio techs on staff, we choose to have the experts look after it.”

– Myles Connew, Operations Manager, EA Networks

This ensures the mobile workforce can operate safely in the field, communicate effectively with each other and be easily located via AVL should an incident occur. This means the EA Networks field services team can focus on undertaking maintenance work and respond to outages confidently.

Tait also provides monthly performance analysis and recommendations to improve EA Networks’ system operation, and a Tait Client Support Engineer assists EA Networks with equipment programming set-up, advice on future product developments and network expansion options.

Download the full client story as a PDF here. To learn more about Tait Services, visit our website.


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