When two of the worldwide leaders in paging decided to implement a new nationwide Two-way page messaging system they turned to NACC for help. The network build-out required integration of complex communication and information products and services. NACC provided the needed management and technical expertise, project management, installation support services, and maintenance support for equipment located in the MCI Point of Presence (POP) and the Destineer receiver and transmitter equipment location. Daily management of Base Receiver and Base Transmitter connectivity, and field personnel on a nationwide basis were an integral part of this effort.
The system is a nationwide, Two-way, Asymmetric Messaging (TAM system unlike traditional paging networks in that pagers were replaced with Personal Message Units (PMU’s) with the ability to transmit short, low-power messages back to receivers placed strategically throughout the network.
NACC Field Engineering and Program Management Services were provided out of MTEL’s Jackson, MS headquarters. NACC provided the Senior Project Executive located within the MTEL War-Room working daily with MTEL and MCI management and project managers developing the overall strategies and goals to accomplish the implementation of the nationwide effort. Additionally, NACC regional program managers, also located in Jackson, provided logistics, communication, management and coordination between Jackson and field implementation engineers nationwide. NACC field implementation engineers provided the hardware, and software support services in the field in support of the MTEL Regional Technical Managers. These services normally began after MCI installed the ordered circuits and equipment at a particular MCI POP. Field implementation engineers were assigned to a senior NACC engineer (FE) located at one of the many POP locations. The senior engineer at each POP assigned work locations and assignments to supporting engineers in concert with the program management function in Jackson. NACC senior engineers arrived at a POP location after a contractor had installed equipment and circuits comparing the MTEL provided master plan with the actual installation. The FE assisted in the resolution of any and all problems associated with the initial audit. The FE verified that all equipment and circuits performed to specifications. This included checking line levels, telco loopback, Data Service Units, Routers, Terminal Servers, Modem, the local ethernet network, the interface with the frame relay service, and circuits going to the remote sites, as well as the remote sites themselves. The senior POP engineer also dispatched and provided installation and support services for the remote receiver and transmitter sites. (BR/BT’s). These services at the remote sites included circuit checks, telco loopback check, modem loading, and software loading of the base receivers and transmitters and UPS systems. The FE repaired and replaced any malfunctioning equipment and notified MCI of any circuits that were not meeting specification. All circuits were checked for integrity and verification that they could be seen and communicated with by the MTEL Network Operations Center in Jackson. The NACC engineers provided additional PMU testing and sales and marketing testing, as well as ongoing circuit and equipment remedial maintenance services. NACC also provided key personnel at the NOC.
