Selecting Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) for your business is no easy task. The goal in any business with new equipment purchases is to ensure functionality and, ultimately, to provide solid ROI. You need to show that the RTU manufacturer you choose is trustworthy and that the RTUs will work the way you need them to.
It's a big decision, and one not to take lightly. The benefits of an RTU are vast: automated responses to problems, less windshield time, fewer outages, and lower equipment repair and replacement costs. Having the right system can change the way you do business.
The benefits of an RTU are vast: automated responses to problems, less windshield time, fewer outages, and lower equipment repair and replacement costs.
What you are buying, essentially, is an intelligent telemetry collection for surveillance and control. RTUs will improve your security by ensuring effective environmental and equipment monitoring. So when you're buying, here are some installation planning questions to consider:
Here's what you need to look for if you want the answers to those questions to be, "yes" and your remote terminal unit installation to be successful.
What matters most to you when choosing an RTU? The ability to intelligently monitor and report everything is crucial. Security, equipment, and environmental monitoring are key areas to evaluate and choose the right RTU.
Your monitoring and control plan needs to include security systems for two primary reasons: so that you are instantly alerted to any security concerns and to know that they are working. A broken security system is a problem and puts your valuable assets in jeopardy. Intelligent telemetry keeps you in control of your operation. Security monitoring options you should consider include:
All of your equipment is sensitive. You should receive an alert when anything happens to it. You must evaluate whether RTUs or their attached sensors can effectively monitor your system. Here are some considerations:
Maintaining proper environmental conditions is key for any business with sensitive electronic or mechanical devices. Some of the conditions an RTU system should be monitoring include:
When looking for a new RTU system for your remote terminal unit installation, there are essentially two types of providers - fixed and custom providers. Which one is better?
Pros: A fixed provider offers a standard, off-the-shelf, boxed solution or a basic RTU that may address your needs.
Cons: You may not acquire the exact system that fits your unique needs. You're likely to face one of these problems:
Although off-the-shelf systems aren't bad, they probably won't offer the level of functionality that you might need to effectively implement RTU monitoring for all of your sites.
Pros: A custom provider creates a unique solution for your system, using expertise to tailor perfect-fit alarm monitoring. This offers three key advantages.
A client of ours worked for a telephone company in Kansas, and his voice alarm notification only had four alarms. That wasn't nearly enough, but it was all that his provider offered. Working with us, we created a system that had 8 controls, 16 discrete alarms, and also provided custom voice notification.
That's a system that works. It works because it was created specifically for his company, with his unique needs in mind. The network of RTUs handled all needs for security, equipment, and environmental monitoring.
When you're looking at RTU installation planning, you're doing so to protect what matters to you. You can achieve this if you work with a team that understands remote monitoring and control and works to provide a custom solution. That's the best way to get the protection you deserve, and the ROI you need.
DPS Telecom has the experience and expertise to help companies who need custom-built RTUs. Our technicians can work with you to find the right RTUs for your specific needs. Reach out and get a quote today!
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