Enterprise User Engagements
Network Architecture
Network Performance & Network Management
Organization & Process
Vendor Management
Network Architecture
Assess, recommend improvements, and oversee the improvement program for an electric and gas utility’s data communications network (LANs and WAN). This was part of a comprehensive program to improve the utility’s outage response capabilities and its ability to communicate with its customers during service outages as well as during normal operating conditions. The program included an assessment of all data communications systems and processes—LAN, WAN, SCADA, Meter Reading, VoIP, and Call Center systems. Once the assessment was completed NSP prepared recommendations for improvements and modernization along with the supporting business case and presented it to the utility’s executive committee. The board of directors approved and funded a multi-million dollar improvement program. NSP provided oversight as architectural recommendations were developed and helped select a systems integrator and service provider to implement the new network. The data communications network is now in place with greatly improved robustness and resiliency to cope with future service outages and support network-based services such as virtualization, network-centric applications and call center service delivery.
Create a network architecture and ten year plan for a rapidly growing university. The university is expanding from its original campus by adding two additional campuses. It seeks to maintain its cohesive single campus culture through the aggressive use of networking technology. The architecture refresh also address pervasive use of video and network-based collaboration within the academic program, sports and resident students’ leisure activities. The architecture is comprehensive addressing cabling, voice telecommunications, routing and switching, WAN, WLAN, network security and services including Internet, mobile wireless, and television. A high-level implementation plan is guiding individual infrastructure initiatives.
Analyze an opportunity to incorporate video surveillance into a casino’s IT network. The conversion of video surveillance from analog to IP-based technology together with a major onsite expansion plan created the opportunity to form a single IP network to support gaming, retail, back office and video surveillance. We analyzed the opportunity by creating a design employing MPLS VPN technology to maintain logically separate IT and video surveillance networks using converged Ethernet Switch/Router technology. A CAPEX analysis showed that projected cost savings were small compared to the operations expenses and risks required to merge the activities of the IT and surveillance organizations.
Provide advice on enterprise networking issues to the clients of The Advisory Council (TAC). The Advisory Council provides IT research and advisory services to its subscribers. NSP supports its work by providing advice on networking technology and services.
Developed network architectural and management recommendations for a State University System. Evaluated voice, video and data infrastructure for multi-campus system as well as the organizational structures used to plan and deliver network services. Developed architectural recommendations for investment in new technology including VoIP, WDM, Network Security, WLAN, and content distribution. Prepared organizational recommendations designed to advance operational maturity and improve network security. Provided benefit/cost analysis in support of architecture and organizational recommendations. Projects are underway to implement new technologies and make recommended organizational changes.
Developed a business case and white paper for the Metro Ethernet Forum, a trade association dedicated to promoting and advancing metro Ethernet technology, to illustrate how enterprises can overcome the limitations of traditional metro data services with the cost-effectiveness, bandwidth scalability, service flexibility, and operational simplicity provided by Ethernet-based services. The business case and white paper now play an important role in furthering the Metro Ethernet Forum’s mission to promote and develop metro Ethernet technology.
Defined the functional requirements for voice services needed in support of a major national healthcare management organization's business operations. Evaluated the business processes, user requirements, and functional specifications for handling subscriber and internal calls. The work is guiding phased movement to next generation PBXs.
Defined 3-year strategic plan and corporate-wide network architecture for major national healthcare management organization. Determined strategic objectives and business requirements, developed application forecast, determined performance metrics and objectives, conducted detailed technical analysis of existing networking infrastructure and processes, and evaluated architectural alternatives. Defined the target architecture, the multi-stage transition plan, and a set of processes to evolve and integrate the legacy infrastructures of over 20 acquired companies into a single efficient, robust, and cost-effective network. The organization is now executing on this corporate-wide data, voice, and video strategy.
Defined the long-range strategic plan for a large utility company seeking to modernize its communications network supporting its extensive power operations and its new business models in the era of deregulation. Determined strategic objectives and business requirements, developed application forecast, determine performance metrics and objectives, conducted detailed technical analysis of existing infrastructure and processes, and evaluated architectural alternatives. Defined the architecture, capital budget, multi-stage transition plan, design guidelines, and organizational and process improvements. The utility successfully implemented the recommendations.
Created a strategy for using telephone-based automatic meter reading equipment. This gas distribution company sought to extend the capabilities of its automatic meter reading program to strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive marketplace. A program and strategy were created to rollout leading-edge automatic meter reading systems.ns.
Formulated telecommunications infrastructure development goals and assess existing infrastructure. This Midwestern State views its telecommunications infrastructure as essential to its economic development. State officials, the industry and concerned citizens participated in a program to define and assess progress toward telecommunications infrastructure development goals. The state is now viewed as a national leader in telecommunications.
Modernized an enterprise-wide data communications network. This national oil company sought to modernize its data communications network in support of the rollout of Enterprise Resource Programming and Intranet applications. Existing LAN and WAN systems were assessed, a design and business case for modernization was prepared and network management processes and tools were specified. Implementation succeeded with the full backing of the Board-of-Directors.
Developed the national network architecture and evolution plan for the major US federal banking insurer. Networking needs were assessed and a comprehensive architecture was developed with the active participation of business unit heads and the IT staff. Implementation was successful.
Created an information technology architecture for a major nuclear power-based electric utility. This utility sought to define an orderly transition from its mainframe-based architecture to network-centered computing consistent with its strategic plan. A highly detailed architectural specification was created that is yielding a 15% annual savings in information technology operating costs.
Modernized a campus data communications network. This municipal electric power company was building a leading edge telephone-based customer service capability and converting it core IT applications to Enterprise Resource Programming (ERP). It needed to replace its obsolete LAN in order to support the new IT environment. An extensive interviewing program was conducted within all business units and a business case for modernization was prepared. A new LAN architecture utilizing ATM was created and a systems vendor selected. Implementation succeeded with the full backing of the business units.
Performed a "Health Check" on the telecommunications and distributed processing functions of a super-regional bank. This bank expected to double its size within three years and sought assurances that its networking systems were capable of meeting this growth. A broad cross section of technical and business staff were interviewed and a benchmarking study of similar banks was performed. The bank now has a networking capability consistent with the size of its operation.
Planned, designed and procured a 600-mile private SONET fiber optic network. A utility operating in one of largest metropolitan areas in the United States sought a strategy to increase the reliability of electric power supply and reduce costs through the development of a telecommunications optical backbone network. The network is operational and delivering the anticipated cost savings.
Developed a long-range telecommunications plan for a leading electric power company. This plan provides the "playbook" for the company's 10-year, $40 million network modernization program including PBXs, fiber optics, microwave, and mobile data radio. Management processes and systems were also defined for the restructuring of the telecommunications function into a "Full Services Telecommunications Department."
Created a strategic telecommunications plan for a medium-sized southeastern electric utility. The company's telecommunications infrastructure had fallen behind the industry's state-of-the-art and senior management needed a road map for modernization. A plan to aggressively use voice-processing technology to improve customer service was created.
Developed a network computing architecture for a large financial services firm. The company has undertaken an aggressive program of acquisitions of banks, trust companies and mutual funds and seeks to use network computing to bring its disparate businesses together and promote cross selling. An enterprise network architecture, organization and implementation plans and business case for investment were prepared. The network is operational and meeting expectations.
Reviewed a network design and implementation plan for the Federal Reserve System's national backbone voice and data network. Data communications architectures, multiplexing schemes, security, access methods and project management was assessed. Project management changes were recommended and the project proceeded to successful implementation.
Developed regulatory case for investment in fiber optic network technology. A large electric utility was required to justify its investment in fiber-optic technology to its regulatory commission. Formal technology and investment models were prepared to demonstrate the need for investment in computer networking technology-the commission now enthusiastically supports the program.
Assessed computer database technology utilized by a national banking system. This central bank is creating the world's largest online computer database of banking information. Our technology assessment provided the client with the necessary information to plan for changes to assure that state-of-the-art database technology was being utilized.
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Network Performance & Network Management
Developed capacity planning and direct costing methodology for enterprise data communications operations. This international office-products manufacturer operates a global business in 100 countries. It sought to provide timely and cost effective data communications capabilities consistent with its centralized style of operations. A methodology for monitoring and planning for wide-area-network data transmission capacity and assigning costs of individual IP transactions was developed. This system is supporting the effective management of data communications resources across product groups, countries and business functions.
Developed pricing policies for computer and network services business operated by a central bank, which had developed a new computing and data communications environment. Pricing policies were developed to help internal users and customers make prudent economic information-technology resource decisions.
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Organization & Process
Lead IT governance workshops for a State University System. The Chancellor and university Presidents identified the need to improve the system-wide governance of the IT function to strengthen IT security and to respond to the Trustees’ concerns about operational effectiveness. Governance issues were identified and governance alternatives were developed in a series of workshops with the Chancellor and Presidents lead by NSP. The principles developed in these workshops are being used to guide an ongoing restructuring of the IT function.
Redesigned data communications and telecommunications management processes. Business process redesign techniques were used to create a unified voice and data networking management process built from separate and conflicting information systems and telecommunications management processes at a large nuclear power generating station. End-users are now receiving more effective networking and IT services.
Created an Information Networking management process. This utility recognized that traditional organization units such as information systems, telecommunications, operations and engineering were inadequate to exploit the potential of network computing technology. Business process redesign techniques were applied to create a new Information Networking organization that is now helping the company realize the potential of this new technology.
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Vendor Management
Identified requirements, prepared strategy and conducted procurement for converged WAN for a property insurance company. The company is the primary provider of property insurance in a hurricane prone southern state. It sought a next generation WAN that would be robust in the face of catastrophes, provide converged voice, data and video services, minimize total cost of ownership, and employ next generation technology such as MPLS VPN and Carrier Ethernet. A needs assessment was prepared through an intensive internal interviewing program and was used to create a traffic forecast and functional requirements statement for normal operating and catastrophe response conditions. A strategic plan was created and used to guide an RFP process involving an open competition among service providers. The winning bidder’s next generation network solution was successfully deployed.
Managed an RFI to evaluate Next-Gen optical and optical Ethernet services and products as MAN and WAN solutions for a major national healthcare management organization. Determined requirements, developed RFI, selected service provider and equipment vendor short list. Also used results to report to senior management on maturity, availability, and applicability of solutions, make-versus-buy strategies, and next steps. The company used these recommendations to establish a strategic relationship with a major ILEC.
Provided implementation assistance for a national oil company's modernization of its voice and data network. Following on a redesign of the company's enterprise LAN/WAN network, competitive procurements were conducted for LAN switching equipment and WAN edge switches. Vendor short lists and RFPs were created, bidder's meetings were held and recommendations made based on technical and cost evaluation criteria. Test plans were created to assure conformance with bidding specifications. Implementation was successful.
Assessed network plan and implementation programs. One of the largest and most technically sophisticated electric utilities is creating an enterprise network. The network's design, product choices and program management were assessed and changes were made to strengthen the implementation program.
Developed business case and evaluate vendor proposals for an international voice and data network. An international diversified Construction Company, operating in 30 countries sought to reduce its voice and data communications costs. A design for a private line network using multiplexors and voice compression equipment was created. The business case achieved a payback within three months.
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