24-7 Support    |    1-403-203-3018

3D-P Intelligent Connectivity
  • Wireless Network Design
    • Network Surveys and Assessments
    • Network Design and Deployment
      • Multi-layer Network Design
    • Network-as-a-Service
    • Ongoing Network Performance
    • Network Security
    • Network Training and Support
  • Applications
    • Production Reporting
    • Machine Health
  • Products
    • Intelligent Endpoints
      • Osprey
      • Hybrid LTE/InstaMesh® Osprey IEP
      • Hornet
    • NetCare+
    • Software
      • Data Access
      • IEP-Suite
  • Industries
    • Surface Mining
    • Underground Mining
    • Ports
    • Municipalities
    • Oil and Gas
  • About
    • Executive Team
    • Success Stories
    • Partners
    • Careers
  • News
  • Resources
    • Brochures
    • Datasheets
    • White Papers
    • Videos
  • Contact
  • Wireless Network Design
    • Network Surveys and Assessments
    • Network Design and Deployment
      • Multi-layer Network Design
    • Network-as-a-Service
    • Ongoing Network Performance
    • Network Security
    • Network Training and Support
  • Applications
    • Production Reporting
    • Machine Health
  • Products
    • Intelligent Endpoints
      • Osprey
      • Hybrid LTE/InstaMesh® Osprey IEP
      • Hornet
    • NetCare+
    • Software
      • Data Access
      • IEP-Suite
  • Industries
    • Surface Mining
    • Underground Mining
    • Ports
    • Municipalities
    • Oil and Gas
  • About
    • Executive Team
    • Success Stories
    • Partners
    • Careers
  • News
  • Resources
    • Brochures
    • Datasheets
    • White Papers
    • Videos
  • Contact

5 Reasons Why Skipping your Service Level Agreement Renewal Might Cost You More Than You Think

Home > Wireless Network Design > 5 Reasons Why Skipping your Service Level Agreement Renewal Might Cost You More Than You Think

Service Level Agreements (SLA) are traditionally seen as an insurance policy. It’s great when you need it but its value tends to be questioned after a few years, if it’s not fully leveraged.

The situation has become worse over the last few years, coming out of the mining downturn, as many miners decided to take the ‘risk’ of not renewing their SLA in order to reduce their operational costs. The direct savings might have been obvious but the indirect costs of not renewing have often been overlooked.

We will look at five indirect costs your SLA helps address.

1. Cost of your resources’ time

No matter the type of issue your team faces – whether it be connectivity, data access or something else – troubleshooting is not always straight-forward. Your personnel know your site, but may not understand the engineering behind some of the products and integration your site uses?

In such cases, involvement of your vendor might be necessary, unless your team is ready to commit the next few days or weeks learning about the systems integration behind the problem in question. In our experience with dealing with large corporations, it is plainly clear that we don’t receive the level of support and engineering required in a timely manner, unless we are on an active SLA and have the ability to escalate issues accordingly and fast.

The question then becomes: Can the issues your site faces always wait?

2. Cost of a secured wireless network

Security has been front of mind in the IT world for many years. However, it is still not always a priority in the OT world, sometimes by lack of knowledge or lack of budget to justify a full-time position to manage it at site. Regular security updates and penetration tests can prevent your site from being at risk.

Introduction of LTE in North America will make mines even more susceptible to attacks. Having an active SLA with a network vendor who knows your site’s network and understand security will ensure you remain protected to the highest level.

3. Cost of firmware upgrade and compatibility

As your site requires new hardware overtime, the same products might come with a newer firmware version. This can create a number of issues in that firmware versions often become incompatible after 2 or more revisions.

Also, disparate products that used to work harmoniously together might fail when one or both have their firmware upgraded. Unless your site is under an active SLA, your site faces several options:

  1. Purchase new hardware to replace the older one with incompatible firmware;
  2. Run and maintain two systems in parallel taking valuable time off your resources.
  3. Try and quick-fix issues as they arise, leading to an unmanageable system

In addition, access to the latest firmware upgrade lowers the risk of susceptibility to security breaches.

4. Cost of managing relationships between vendors

When it comes to issues with mines’ wireless networks, more than one party are often involved. The fact is that more often than not some finger pointing will take place between the network and applications vendor. The mine, stuck in the middle, will often have to waste time arbitrating towards, hopefully, a fast resolution of the issue.

An active SLA keeps the responsibility of the issue with the vendor, with the speed of resolution an active part of the SLA KPIs.

5. Cost of replacing your aging workforce

As skilled labor forces are aging and retiring, it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract experienced and competent replacements. The appropriate SLA will provide your site with the extension of the workforce you need, and actually replace some of the needs in this area.

To learn more about how 3D-P can help you support your site, contact us today.

Tweet
Share
Share
Previous StoryImproving network and application management though complete hardware integration
Next StoryPerformance of LTE in Mining in 2019 – What to expect?

Related Articles

  • mineosprey
    3D-P chosen to provide Network-as-a-Service by Montana Miner
  • Picture6
    LTE vs Wi-Fi and the Hybrid Network

Share this page

Tweet
Share
Share

Categories

  • Autonomy
  • Case Studies
  • Data Access
  • Digitization
  • Events
  • Integration
  • LTE for Mining
  • Mining Technology Solutions
  • Network Services
  • News
  • Productivity Optimization
  • Surface Mining
  • Technology Solutions
  • Uncategorized
  • Underground Mining
  • Videos
  • Wireless Network Design
  • Wireless Technology

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG

We are constantly working in the field, researching and developing innovative technology solutions for our clients. This is where we share our insights on the industries we work in, the technologies we rely on and the future of industrial wireless networking.

About 3D – P

3D-P is a privately-held company founded by a team of mining industry experts that enables world-class technologies for the outdoor industrial environment.

Get to Know Us

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS

2609 – 15th Street NE
Calgary, AB T2E 8Y4

USA

4500 E. Aviation Way
Safford, AZ 85546

AUSTRALIA

GPO Box 1171
Sydney, NSW 2001

  • Success Stories
  • 24/7 Support
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • English (English)

Copyright © 2021 3D-P. All Rights Reserved

flowww uses Let's Encrypt SSL certificates