Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1476549
50 I ICT TODAY • Cable operators, whether they are pursuing fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments or pushing fiber deeper into their networks to support DOCSIS 3.1, have an increased desire for new methods of speeding deployment, lowering cost, and ensuring success. The geographically dispersed nature of these networks means working with a distributed workforce where the use of subcontractors is prevalent. An intel- ligent build solution converts geospatial field detail into digital labor and material scopes, construction workflows, automation, and optimization. Everything that must be spliced and tested is documented, generat- ing real-time geospatial progress views of the status of the fiber build. This allows them to make data-driven decisions throughout their projects, enabling timely course corrections and adjustments, which can be a game changer on multi-year deployments. Contrary to the ICT infrastructure deployment scenarios highlighted thus far, multi-site technology roll- out projects are often performed in a much shorter time frame. The ICT companies whose core business is multi- site technology deployments know they require effective established processes and methodologies to complete these projects on time and within budget, utilizing local field resources often outside of their own company. The intelligent build solution houses a powerful workflow management suite, incorporating many elements found in popular construction and field management platforms. The project manager must look at the performance of the entire project across hundreds of locations, each individual site-specific scope from beginning to end. Having consistency across all sites is critical. Such projects demand high levels of coordination, speed in logistics, and deployment, as well as reliability across the installation of a variety of cabling and device end points. To minimize costly return trips, quality assurance, and validation of performance are critical steps during each site visit. Common issues, such as unskilled techni- cians with a lack of experience or incomplete knowledge of the scope or solution, can lead to costly revisits. These costly revisits are due to the delivery of an incomplete scope or documentation. All of this can be mitigated by deploying an intelligent build solution. Process work- flows, scope documents, as well as form and report templates loaded into the application prior to deploy- ment facilitate data collection, progress reporting, and incident management. Customer-furnished materials and third-party inte- grator equipment can be inventoried, accepted, and approved by scanning RFID tags, validating that all critical components needed for the installation are accounted for. Scope documents, drawings, and detailed workflow instructions enable interactive engagement via the mobile app for less experienced installers. Test automation eliminates the setting up of test equipment parameters in the field and enables real-time visibility across multiple sites and crews. Workflow requisite input of photos provides instant feedback of site conditions, field coordination issues, as well as before-and-after installation conditions, essentially becoming the eyes of the remote project manager. CONCLUSION A report from Aberdeen Group suggests that "first-time fix" performance on multi-site technology rollout projects ranges from 71 percent to 89 percent. 5 With each truck roll costing up to $300, the 11 percent to 29 percent of sites that will require revisits, add up. 6 The ability to provide time-stamped feedback with global positioning system (GPS) coordinates enables live check-in and check-out from the worksite.