Know This Before Buying RTUs or PDUs from DPS [Thursday, June 9th, 2022]
At a recent trade show and nearby client visits, I rediscovered much of what's important to know about DPS before you buy.
Manufacturer Discontinued Products (MFDs) - Now What? [Friday, May 13th, 2022]
DPS team can design and manufacture just about anything, and as long as the unit is still running, we'll provide support for it. Let's make your monitoring dreams a reality.
How to Stop Budget Waste with Good Remote Site Monitoring [Friday, May 13th, 2022]
DPS is a remote monitoring manufacturer, so we deal with the remote monitoring issues on a daily basis. I'm going to give you insights from the different industries that we serve. I've even included actual quotations from real DPS clients. This information is...
DPS Monitoring Devices Don't Trap You With Built-In Obsolescence [Friday, May 6th, 2022]
As a customer, I bet there's nothing you hate more than planned obsolescence. If something that could continue working is designed to stop working arbitrarily, you rightly feel cheated. That's why, at DPS, I insist on a particular method of...
DPS Metal Shop Shortens Lead Times [Monday, May 2nd, 2022]
Having a single campus in Fresno, California gives DPS an exceptionally high bandwidth of inter-departmental communication, and allows for a rapid response to our clients' unique needs for custom solutions.
Discounts for NetGuardian RTUs & T/Mon Master Stations [Monday, April 25th, 2022]
Everyone has to work within a limited budget, so it's no surprise that I get a lot of questions about discounts. I want to go over some of the basics of DPS Telecom discounts with you now, so you'll know what to expect when you start working with us in Sales...
How to Get a Perfect-Fit Device with a Virtual Prototype [Thursday, April 14th, 2022]
When a DPS client like you calls me about a remote monitoring project, an off-the-shelf product will do the job about 80% of the time. Sometimes, I create a virtual prototype to help you visualize what DPS is about to build for you. Check out this AC+DC PDU I built for a multi-state power utility.
How to Plan Your Installation of Remote Monitoring Devices [Tuesday, April 5th, 2022]
There is one concept that is critical to understand when you're rolling out monitoring gear: You have to realize that it is not just the cost of buying the gear, but the total cost of...
How to Monitor Your Lift Station Wet-Well Effectively [Monday, March 28th, 2022]
Let me walk you through the customized wet-well monitoring system that I put together for my client. In this case, the well was a critical component of operating a county fairground. The solution blends existing control gear with a new RTU.
How to Get the Right PDUs for Your Telecom Cabinets & Huts [Monday, March 14th, 2022]
Semi-custom work is routine at DPS, especially for medium or large projects involving Qty 11 or higher. Let's take a look at several active projects I'm working on related to Power Distribution Units, which will give you a good background on how to choose your own PDUs.
How Good Remote Monitoring Improves Public & Staff Safety [Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022]
I just got back from a fantastic installation trip in the mountainous west of the US. It made me think in more detail about the safety aspects of good remote monitoring equipment that I always try to design and deliver perfectly.
Monitoring ILS and Other Critical Aviation Safety Equipment [Monday, February 14th, 2022]
DPS equipment is frequently used in life-and-death scenarios, but few are so immediate as in aviation. In instrument conditions (zero visibility), a malfunctioning ILS (Instrument Landing System) can quite literally send airplanes into mountains.
Pandemic Drives the Need for Alarm Monitoring In the Healthcare Industry [Sunday, February 13th, 2022]
DPS Telecom gear is frequently utilized by utility, telecom, and transportation companies. I recently worked to provide a solution for a less common industry from us: medical. This client was needing a solution to monitor their freezers and refrigerators.
Combining HVAC Management with General Remote Monitoring and Control Functions [Sunday, February 6th, 2022]
I'm currently working on a project with a company that remotely monitors and manages HVAC systems for their customers. My role in this project will be to integrate general remote site management for other equipment to supplement HVAC management.
Alternatives to Programming Logic Controllers [Sunday, February 6th, 2022]
Every SCADA system (or other "remote monitoring and control system") necessary involves some number of remote input and output devices. RTUs represent a simpler approach that can be used to accomplish many monitoring goals.
How to Monitor Your Remote Building Temperatures [Sunday, January 30th, 2022]
Temperature sensing at remote buildings is important for many different industries. If you have telecommunication sites at a telco, power company, railroad, or county agency, you must monitor temperature. If you have a data center, a server room, or a...
How to Monitor Doors at Your Remote Sites [Tuesday, January 25th, 2022]
Of all the things you have to monitor at your remote sites, perhaps none are as simple and important as basic security. This essentially boils down to door, motion, and other sensors that detect intrusion. Let's review several examples from my recent project proposals.
9 Radio Monitoring System Examples for 2022 [Monday, January 17th, 2022]
Your radio sites, by definition, are spread out across a wide area. They tend to be in remote places like mountaintops. That's why you need good monitoring. If something is going wrong, you must know about it immediately.
Tower Site Monitoring Examples for 2022 [Wednesday, January 12th, 2022]
Monitoring tower sites is one of the most common uses for remote site monitoring equipment. RTUs collect data about local conditions, then send it to a central master station. In these 9 examples, you'll see real diagrams and examples to give you a solid tutorial on what you need to accomplish and how to do it.
Emergency Power System Monitoring Exposed [Thursday, December 30th, 2021]
An energy service provider in the western United States recently upgraded their Master Alarm System. They were in need of a central location for monitoring of their remote sites. Some of the power producing sites capable of producing over...
Best Transport Gear That Cleanly Integrates with a T/Mon Manager [Tuesday, December 28th, 2021]
As the manufacturer of the T/Mon alarm management platform, I'm required to ensure proper integration with a wide range of popular devices. Take a look at this list of transport equipment that integrates gracefully with T/Mon.
Control HVAC Lead-Lag, Monitor Batteries, & Monitor Equipment with One System [Monday, December 20th, 2021]
In the last few weeks, I've quoted perhaps the most comprehensive monitoring system DPS has ever developed. Let's review the value of multi-functional equipment, then go over this specific example. It will either...
The Best Rectifier, Generator, and UPS Systems that Integrate with T/Mon [Wednesday, December 15th, 2021]
At DPS, our T/Mon remote site management server communicates with a wide range of equipment. With our focus on telecom site monitoring, that naturally includes equipment related to fiber, IP, microwave radios, and very important primary and backup power systems.
Alarm Monitoring Should Be A Long-Term Investment [Sunday, December 12th, 2021]
Have you suffered through the bad news of discovering that a piece of gear your company buys is no longer supported? It may have worked perfectly, which is why you need to...
How to Securely Reset Your Password on a NetGuardian RTU [Wednesday, December 8th, 2021]
Today, I spoke to Andy Yang, an engineer on the DPS Technical Support team. I asked about some of the most common types of support calls he handles. One of the most common - Forgetting Your Password.
DPS Monitors HVAC & Batteries for Government [Monday, December 6th, 2021]
I recently finished wrapping up another remote site monitoring proposal. This proposal was for a long-time DPS client. They're a governmental agency with telecom shelters in very remote locations. Let me give you a quick overview and also a...
How to Monitor Telecom Cabinets at a Rural ISP [Tuesday, November 16th, 2021]
I just got back from a trip last week. Among several other DPS clients, my fellow engineer Andy and I stopped by a telco (telephone & ISP) in a fairly rural part of Texas. Based on this meeting, we were able to propose a complete system for monitoring battery health and commercial power interruptions.
Monitoring Tower Lights, HVAC, & Radio Systems for a County Fire Department [Monday, November 8th, 2021]
On this trip to Texas, one of my stops was to a county fire department. When we arrived, we were instantly greeted by the fire chief. Since he is also responsible for the multiple radio sites owned and operation for county public safety personnel, he took out out to 3 tower sites to survey the equipment and plan a remote monitoring system to cover everything. Take a look at what we found...
How (and Why!) DPS Continues Manufacturing of Older RTU Models [Thursday, October 28th, 2021]
I recently got an email from a long-time DPS client. This is a large equipment manufacturer that builds large-scale systems for government and military customers. As a result, they're necessarily concerned about the ongoing availability of NetGuardians and other key gear...
How to Turn Your Remote Site Monitoring Goals into a Finished Project [Monday, October 18th, 2021]
I just had a fast back-and-forth email exchange with someone who wants to get SMS text messages to his phone when important alarms happen. It all started with an online message...
T/Mon Q&A: Evolving a Proven Alarm Master for 2021 and Beyond [Friday, October 8th, 2021]
There's no more important element in your remote monitoring system than your central alarm master station. It's the place where everything comes together. This fast Q&A gives you real-world answers to DPS client questions...
Multi-Building Alarm Echo to a Single Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) [Monday, September 20th, 2021]
I got a call recently about a six-building complex that, due to local fire ordinance, requires that the fire detection system in each building be linked back to just one conventional fire alarm control panel (FACP). See the two devices that, working together, will pull this off.
Rectifier Monitoring via SNMP & Alarm Dialer [Tuesday, September 7th, 2021]
I just had an interesting call with a DPS client who needs to monitor rectifier major alarms (2 per rectifier). This application has a few interesting elements (like local RTU processing of SNMP traps), so let's walk through it as a learning exercise now...
Top 5 Best Tower Companies [Wednesday, September 1st, 2021]
Based on our experience working with many different cell tower companies, I'm happy to share with you a list of some of the best tower site operators in the industry. Note that this list is limited to companies who operate in the United States - although many operate globally.
Monitor Your Remote Sites with General-Purpose Remotes as Physical Alarm Collectors [Thursday, August 19th, 2021]
In contrast to integrated monitoring, you can choose to install a physical alarm collector that is a general-purpose remote. That is, it's not produced by or aligned with any other manufacturer. It's built by a dedicated team to be the best possible monitoring device you can buy.
RTU Temperature Sensor Evolution & 2021 Buying Guide [Wednesday, August 4th, 2021]
There's no more common sensor on our RTUs than temperature sensors. In fact, the majority of our builds have one built right on the board to give you a good ambient reading of the temperature in your site. I recently had an email exchange with a DPS client. He had questions about the specific architectures and I/O we use for measuring temperature. I think that conversation will be useful for you as you research your options for remote site temperature measurement.
How to Buy an HVAC Controller in 2021 [Friday, July 30th, 2021]
There was perhaps a time when you could shrug off moderate inefficiencies in your HVAC setup. Perhaps you'd use a simple thermostat that offered "good enough" performance. Maybe you would run your lead HVAC into the ground without rotating the lag unit into the lead role. You can't do that in 2021...
Monitor Your Digitize Prism LX via CAPS IV CAD Protocol [Friday, June 25th, 2021]
Do you monitor multiplex, telegraph (McCullough) codes, digital dialer, polling radio, or serial input alarm signals? If you do, you might well be doing it with the Digitize System 3505 Prism LX (or its predecessor). Learn how DPS improved our T/Mon master station to poll this new device via LAN instead of the serial method of the older model.
Telecom Hut Monitoring: How to Choose and Buy an RTU [Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021]
You have telecom huts to monitor in order to keep your service online. Each of those remote buildings contains thousands (or perhaps millions) of dollars of your valuable telecommunications equipment. Companies and government agencies frequently call me and ask what RTU they need. Here are the key steps you should follow...
Network Management Software Buyer's Guide [Monday, June 21st, 2021]
Any good network management software will put your alarm events on a list display. The best software will have other intuitive views, like geographic maps or logical network diagrams. Let's take a look at the key components you need to consider before making a purchase decision for your company.
How to Remotely Monitor & Control Conductive Concrete (Snow Melt) at Bus Stops [Friday, June 11th, 2021]
What a trip! I just recently returned from a two-week-long romp to perform field trials for two DPS clients, both in the public-transit space: one large metro railway and one transit bus operator. After the first segment ended, I spent 5 more days in an urban center in America's heartland. The goal? Monitor and remotely control snow-melt systems at downtown bus stops.
Choose Battery Sensors that Won't Short-Circuit Your Battery Posts [Thursday, June 10th, 2021]
Let's take a look at the typical causes of battery shorting, the risk of downtime/fires/explosions, and what we can do from a design perspective to minimize risk...
How DPS Maps Radio Strength in Railroads and Subways [Friday, June 4th, 2021]
For this project, the goal was to map the radio strength across a major rail network. This included both below-ground and above-ground sections.
Buying Remote Monitoring? Why In-Person Engineering Visits Matter [Monday, May 17th, 2021]
It's expensive for sales engineers to sit in airports, on planes, and in cars. In the Internet Age, you can have a video chat that closely mimics an in-person visit. Unfortunately, there's really no substitute for having an engineer come out to your site for an in-person visit. Learn about the 5 important benefits you'll get from a vendor site visit.
How to Monitor Your Generator Propane Tanks at Telecommunications Sites [Monday, April 12th, 2021]
"Don't I have to drain my propane tank to install a sensor for monitoring?" In most cases, you actually don't. Let's talk about propane monitoring for mission-critical business & government facilities.
How to Monitor Your Telecom Batteries 7x24x365 [Sunday, March 28th, 2021]
Let's walk through the reasons for high-quality battery monitoring. We'll look at the the inherent difficulties. We'll also review one possible solution that walks the line between "ineffective" and "too expensive to justify"...
Top 6 Network Monitoring Tips and Tricks [Tuesday, March 16th, 2021]
After buying a network monitoring device, setting it up properly makes a huge difference in how efficient your system will be. Learn some tips and tricks for an effective monitoring system.
Are Free Network Monitoring Master Stations Bad? [Monday, March 15th, 2021]
Everybody loves freebies, right? Of course, but sometimes free software that you can find online can be too good to be true. Network monitoring master stations are no different.
What to Consider When Selecting a Network Monitoring System [Thursday, March 11th, 2021]
In this article, we'll look into the main considerations to keep in mind before you select a monitoring system for your network.
How to Manage Colocation Sites for Networks That Can't Move to Cloud [Tuesday, March 9th, 2021]
Learn how a remote monitoring system will allow you to keep an eye on your colocation sites from whatever you are.
How to Monitor Physical Threats in Your Data Center [Thursday, March 4th, 2021]
Learn how physical threats in your data center can be mitigated by monitoring strategies.
Top 6 Features Your Network Monitoring Software Should Have [Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021]
There are many monitoring software options in the market. But you need to look for all the must-have functionality that will help you achieve your business goals.
Efficient Remote Monitoring Solution For HVACR Systems [Thursday, February 25th, 2021]
Learn how commercial businesses can reduce energy consumption and increase network efficiency while deploying a reliable, cost-efficient HVACR monitoring solution.
How to Improve Genset Availability with Battery Monitoring [Wednesday, February 24th, 2021]
If your batteries can't start your Genset when a commercial power failure happens, then you'll be looking at expensive downtime. Learn how that can be avoided with a monitoring system.
Stop Network Outages Before They Happen [Monday, February 22nd, 2021]
Let's talk about how network alarm monitoring is a necessary tool to efficiently prevent outages and enhance your network performance.
How to Optimize Your Network Data Collection with SCADA [Friday, February 19th, 2021]
SCADA systems give you reliable remote site information that will ultimately improve your bottom line. Learn how to optimize your data collection with efficient SCADA elements.
UPS SNMP Monitoring [Wednesday, February 17th, 2021]
UPS SNMP monitoring is crucial for proactive maintenance, reliable uptime, and upgrading your power system to handle extended outages. Learn how you can manage your batteries with SNMP.
How to Manage Multiple Remote Networks [Friday, February 12th, 2021]
Managing multiple remote sites across a large area is a challenge. But, one you can overcome when you are able to remote monitor and control your network. Learn how to achieve this visibility.
How DPS Monitoring Solution Maximizes Propane Vaporization for Generators [Wednesday, February 10th, 2021]
Learn how RTUs can help remotely monitor and maintain an equal amount of propane in all your tanks, facilitating vaporization.
How DPS Improved the Radio System Reliability of a Law Enforcement Agency [Tuesday, February 9th, 2021]
Learn how DPS designed a monitoring system that allowed a law enforcement agency to improve their radio system reliability.
How to Transition From RMAC Monitoring Devices [Friday, February 5th, 2021]
Learn what you can make to have a smooth migration from RMAC devices and which RTU to invest in for this purpose.
Best Practices to UPS Monitoring and Control [Thursday, February 4th, 2021]
A UPS monitoring system will allow you to make sure your batteries are always available. But, your system needs to follow the industry's best practices to ensure reliability.
Vertical Farming: Remote Monitoring and Control Automation [Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021]
Learn how remote monitoring and control systems allow you to eliminate issues and enhance your vertical farming productivity.
How to Choose a Network Monitoring Tool [Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021]
Learn what to look for in a network monitoring device so you can choose between all the tools available in the market.
How DPS Solved a Snowmelt Problem [Wednesday, January 27th, 2021]
Investing in a snowmelt system can make or break your operations if you live in snowy/icy climates. However, as with any other piece of critical gear, monitoring its performance seems to always be an afterthought...
How to Monitor Your Standby Batteries [Tuesday, January 19th, 2021]
Learn the benefits of monitoring your standby batteries, what you should keep an eye on, and the difference that a competent battery monitoring device can make for your network.
Top 10 Key Features Of The Best Remote Power Controller [Monday, January 18th, 2021]
An efficient remote power controller allows you to remotely reboot your gear and reduce network downtime. Learn which features you should look for in a power controller.
How T/Mon SLIM Can Help You Monitor Your Small Network [Friday, January 15th, 2021]
T/Mon SLIM allows small networks to enjoy the benefits of a centralized alarm monitoring system. Learn how.
What Are The Benefits of DPS RTUs For Your Network [Thursday, January 14th, 2021]
There are many reasons why DPS RTUs are one of the best investments you can make. Let's take a look at some of the benefits our RTUs will provide for your network.
Monitor ASCO Power Meters With T/Mon [Wednesday, January 6th, 2021]
The T/Mon master station allows you to efficiently monitor your ASCO power meters. Learn how to set up and configure your meters on the T/Mon.
What To Do When Your Remote Monitoring System Fails? [Tuesday, January 5th, 2021]
What to do when your monitoring system fails? Leaving the security of your network to chance is not a possibility. There's a solution to avoid flying blind if your monitoring devices fail.
How To Set Up The Cisco Transport Controller Module in T/Mon [Wednesday, December 16th, 2020]
In this article, you'll learn how to monitor a Cisco Transport Controller (and other similar Cisco equipment) using a T/Mon device module.
How T/Mon Helps You Replace Your Old RTUs [Monday, December 14th, 2020]
With the T/Mon master station, you can replace your old RTUs in a cost-effective way. Learn how.
How to Create SNMP Device Module on T/Mon [Wednesday, December 9th, 2020]
If you have an SNMP device, monitoring it with the T/Mon can be easily done - all you need to do is create an SNMP device module. Learn how to do it.
How To Choose an RTU For Your Enclosure Site [Monday, December 7th, 2020]
Finding the perfect RTU for monitoring your enclosure sites shouldn't be a gamble. Learn to assess your network monitoring needs and review all the criteria to consider when shopping for an RTU.
Why You Should Add Network Monitoring to Your 2021 Budget [Thursday, December 3rd, 2020]
Including network monitoring in your 2021 budget is more important than ever. Learn why.
How to Wire and Configure Current Sensors [Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020]
If you have one of our NetGuardian RTUs, you can configure sensors to be able to monitor current. Learn how to properly wire and configure current sensors using your NetGuardian.
How Remote Auto-Dialers Notifies Issues In Your Network [Monday, November 30th, 2020]
Auto-dialers can be efficient monitoring devices. Learn how to choose the best one for your network.
How Surge Suppressors Protect Your Equipment From Damage [Tuesday, November 24th, 2020]
It's almost impossible to avoid power surges, but surge suppression can ease their impact on your network. Learn how surge suppressors can protect your investment in monitoring solutions.
How to Install The 10 Most Important Sensor Types [Thursday, November 19th, 2020]
Knowing how to set up sensors for the first time is the first step to achieve monitoring efficiency. Learn how to install and configure the 10 most important sensor types.
How To Send Contact Closures Over Ethernet [Tuesday, November 17th, 2020]
Learn how RTUs allow the transmission of digital contact closures to a remote point using Ethernet.
How to Power Cycle Your NetGuardian 832A on Ping Alarm [Wednesday, November 11th, 2020]
Learn how to configure your RTU so it will power cycle every 30 minutes when a failed ping attempt happens.
The Top 10 Features Of An Efficient Outside Plant RTU [Tuesday, November 10th, 2020]
If your company has outside plant sites, then choosing an efficient RTU is critical to maintaining network uptime. Learn the 10 most important features of outside plant RTUs.
The T/Mon LNX ASCII Processor [Wednesday, November 4th, 2020]
If you have an ASCII network and are planning to deploy the T/Mon, or need to know if T/Mon is a good option for you, read on and learn how you can set up the T/Mon ASCII processor.
How to Configure T/Mon Event Forwarding via SNMP [Monday, November 2nd, 2020]
The T/Mon is a popular choice of a remote monitoring master station in SNMP networks. One of the first steps when using T/Mon is to configure Event Forwarding via SNMP. Learn how you can do this.
How to Set Up Server Shutdown on a NetGuardian 832A G5 RTU [Tuesday, October 27th, 2020]
Learn how to configure the Server Shutdown feature on your NetGuardian 832A G5 RTU.
How to Use SNMP Get Requests for Analogs [Monday, October 26th, 2020]
Learn the step-by-step on how you can use SNMP Get Requests to capture analogs in the T/Mon.
How To Protect Your Gear At Mountaintop Sites [Thursday, October 22nd, 2020]
Learn how network alarm monitoring can play an important role in protecting equipment located at mountaintop remote sites.
What Efficient Network Monitoring Alerts Should Look Like [Tuesday, October 20th, 2020]
Your remote monitoring system is not effective if it can't give you actionable alerts. Learn what an efficient alert is and what it isn't.
How to Remote Monitor Your Physical Server Network [Monday, October 19th, 2020]
Learn how an efficient remote monitoring system can keep your servers up and running at all times.
Is Your Remote Monitoring Data Safe? [Friday, October 16th, 2020]
Monitoring systems collect real-time information and allow you to remotely control equipment. It's vital that you keep it safe from ill-intended people.
The Basics of Pinging Network Elements [Wednesday, October 14th, 2020]
If a network device has been silent for a long time, it's critical to check on its status. That's where pinging network elements come into play.
Top 10 Features That Modern SCADA Systems Have [Tuesday, October 13th, 2020]
If you're planning to deploy a SCADA system, you want to get the most out of your investment. For that, it's critical to know which features to look for in order to get an efficient SCADA system.
The Basics of Battery Temperature Monitoring [Friday, October 2nd, 2020]
Your backup battery may be the difference between the uptime of your network and costly downtime. So having a system that can monitor the temperature inside your batteries is critical.
Top 6 Features Of An Efficient Cold Chain Monitoring System [Tuesday, September 29th, 2020]
Learn the top six features an efficient cold chain monitoring system should have.
We Answered The Top 10 Questions About Remote Monitoring [Friday, September 25th, 2020]
Take a look at the answers for the most frequently asked questions about remote monitoring systems.
How To Implement SNMP Monitoring [Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020]
Learn the industry's best practices when it comes to implementing SNMP monitoring.
Why You Should Replace Legacy Monitoring Devices [Wednesday, September 16th, 2020]
Network issues due to legacy monitoring devices are bound to happen. But many companies still keep their outdated gear. Learn why you should replace your legacy monitoring system.
How To Monitor The Temperature In Your Server Room [Tuesday, September 15th, 2020]
Find out how you can properly keep tabs on the temperature in your server room with a competent remote monitoring system.
Why Invest In Remote Monitoring Solutions From DPS? [Friday, September 11th, 2020]
Are you evaluating your options for remote monitoring systems providers? Learn why DPS monitoring solutions will be a valuable investment to your network.
