News and perspectives from the world of fiber optic networking

Podcast

• Cloud security

The playbook for tackling cloud security in 2021

It should go without saying that many, if not most, companies have had to make some changes in the last 18 months. In an era when most facets of life are marked by a pandemic, remote-first culture, the ideology of having employees work from home, has had widespread adoption. In order for this to work, employees need access to data and work files from wherever they are working. This has led many companies to either adopt, or increase, working from the cloud. Whether or not this was the case previously, there are many reasons a company should not rush into it without a strategy and some specific considerations.

Podcast

• Fiber network construction
• As-built
• Communications service providers

Tackling common challenges in the telecommunications industry

Because of the complexity of fiber, many of the common challenges faced by communication service providers (CSPs) today revolve around managing physical network assets. Historically, CSPs have often struggled with getting as-built records at the conclusion of the fiber rollout; but the necessity and growth of fiber has brought this issue further into the spotlight. As-builts are vital to avoiding unexpected expenses during deployment, particularly when construction strays from initial plans and designs.

Article

• Fiber network management
• Telecom technologies
• GIS
• Podcast

The value of GIS in the telecom enterprise

Telecommunications is one of the fastest-growing GIS markets in the world.  So fast, in fact, it has a forecasted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.0% from 2021-2026. A large part of this growth is due to the need for stakeholders to understand the network structure on a near real-time basis.

Article

• Fiber network management
• API

APIs: ditching swivel chairs and embracing interoperability

APIs are continuing to shatter the past misconception that they are exclusively for the tech giants. Harvard Business Review¹ emphasizes that APIs can enhance operations for small to midsize companies of all industries; a point further proven by the 24,000 APIs listed in Programmable Web’s API directory² in April 2021, a stark increase from the 12,000 offered in 2015.¹ With the growing popularity and availability of APIs, CSPs may become increasingly interested in the suitability of API integration in daily operations. However, equally important to deconstructing API suitability, is understanding how using APIs in conjunction with your network management system can boost your bottom line. 

Article

• Fiber network construction
• Fiber network management
• Fiber network design and automation
• RDOF

5 reasons asset management system is needed for RDOF fiber deployment

While there are many challenges that arise during any fiber optic deployment, construction and reporting requirements and deploying fiber in rural areas bring some unique challenges to RDOF projects. One of the most important actions that you can take to meet these challenges is to invest in an asset management system that can meet your current needs and scale with your changing business operations. 

Video

• Press

SSP Announces 4th Acquisition: 3-GIS

Skye Perry, SSP Innovations
Dustin Sutton and Tom Counts, 3-GIS 
SSP Innovations, along with our financial partner, Warren Equity, has been active in the M&A space over the last several years focused on adding competency to our company around our key utility and telecom verticals. This trend has continued into 2020 and we are truly excited to announce that on December 23rd, 2020, SSP Innovations closed a deal to fully acquire 3-GIS thus adding the company’s industry-leading telecom products, people, and customers to SSP’s portfolio.

• Fiber network construction
• Fiber network design and automation
• Telecom technologies

Unleashing the power of configuration

Streamlined, efficient business operations is a top goal for telecom organizations around the world. Effective network management systems  fit your unique business environment and allow your team to get up and running quickly, reduce swivel-chair turns, eliminate bandaid workarounds, and decrease operational delays. The key to reaping these benefits? Using your configuration control to unleash the power of the application.

We sat down with Greg Connors, now Technical Product Manager at 3-GIS, but former Technical Lead at Level 3 Communications and longtime GIS specialist, to ask him about his experience with different systems with varying degrees of configurability. Check out what Greg has to say:

• Fiber network construction
• Fiber network design and automation
• Telecom technologies

Using automation to uplevel the accuracy & speed of network deployment

The increasing pace of developing new network technologies means that network providers, managers, and engineers need to document and manage new and complex information, but methods for meeting these needs have yet to be addressed in most existing network management systems. 3-GIS takes the next step in physical network management providing solutions that create and maintain high veracity OSP data that can be leveraged throughout the service providers’ business and operational ecosystems.