News and perspectives from the world of fiber optic networking

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. 

Article

• Utilities

Matching your network management system with your fiber future

Bringing your physical plant into the digital age

Industry experts agree data governance is necessary to move communication service providers into using their outside plant data for business decisions. The data management strategy must help recognize the value of assets, while allowing for the establishment of policies to ensure data quality, consistency, and availability.¹  In turn, the network management system must allow for the implementation and maintenance of this strategy to advance the business.

• Fiber network management

Service providers are adapting to meet today’s information needs

Kyle Siniard, VP of Technology for 3-GIS, outlines an innovative business process framework for service providers and their engineering vendors that deliver in real-time the network data to activate services faster. 

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.

Article

• Esri
• Telecom technologies

Esri UC 2020: What we (verb)ed

Last week many of our team members attended the virtual Esri User Conference. In an effort to spread the wealth of knowledge, and frankly, to see how well everyone adjusted to an all virtual conference, we asked them to let us know about their experience at the sessions they attended and the conference as a whole. Check out a few of their favorite findings, remaining questions, and curiosities below: