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OSA and EXFO partnership makes test and measurement vendor transition a breeze for Linktech

OSA and EXFO partnership makes test and measurement vendor transition a breeze for Linktech

Linktech, a market leader specialising in communications and transmission network construction and maintenance nationally, requires high-quality test and measurement equipment and solutions. These form an essential role for Linktech to deliver projects for its clients in both the Australian and international telecommunications marketplaces.

Holding a long-standing relationship with the OSA Melbourne office since its inception, Linktech Managing Director Chris Murphy engaged OSA Victoria State Manager Dave McKeown to form a partnership with OSA and EXFO.

Their aim was to transition Linktech’s ageing optical test and measurement fleet to a state of the art, scalable and innovative fleet of optical test and measurement products and solutions – EXFO OTDRs.

The value of an honest appraisal

The value of an honest appraisal

By working with the OSA Team, Linktech was able to evaluate different EXFO OTDRs, before deciding on the right product selection to move forward with.

Chris Murphy comments, “Being aware of OSA’s track record in promoting technical excellence and innovation, I found OSA’s appraisal of each of the EXFO OTDRs we were evaluating to be clear and concise in the functionality, efficiencies and technical differences to the products we were currently using.

This outcome enabled us to drastically reduce our evaluation times and move to evaluate the platform, products and solution that we would eventually invest in and purchase.”

Dave Mckeown - OSA

Industry experience and expertise

OSA’s involvement with its customers during the product selection process is renown in the industry. OSA prides itself on industry best practice and working with selected best of breed industry manufacturers and partners. OSA’s expertise with EXFO products and solutions means they can offer superior value with guaranteed technical advice.

Chris agrees, “Without OSA’s expertise and assistance it would have taken Linktech a much longer time frame to be able to evaluate the various optical test platforms and determine which product and solution were the best fit for our requirements today and in the future.”

Dave McKeown adds, “Having a strong and longstanding relationship with Linktech, OSA and EXFO identified early in the process that Linktech is a dynamic and progressive company.

As such, due to their immediate and long-term optical test and measurement requirements, we were able to position, develop and deliver a customised, future-proofed product solution consistent with industry standards and technology forces.”

A thorough evaluation process

A thorough evaluation process

OSA and EXFO worked through the features and benefits of the proposed EXFO product mix early in the product selection process. Additionally, product management teams from both OSA and EXFO were available to answer any product, software and technical questions throughout the entire process.

“OSA arranged for EXFO to meet with me and my team to present and discuss the features and benefits of the proposed EXFO products and clearly highlight and identify where the differences would be between our existing equipment, competitor equipment and the proposed EXFO equipment,” explains Chris.

“As Linktech technicians were evaluating the EXFO OTDR and complementary optical product solutions, OSA and EXFO ensured that sales and technical resources were available to resolve any initial questions that our field staff came across in real time and typically within the customer environment.

This enabled Linktech to trial and evaluate the equipment in live environments, without causing any negative impacts on customers and still ensuring we had the relevant test artefacts to hand over.” 

Looking to the future

Looking to the future

Unprecedented demand for bandwidth and performance in high-speed networks requires a wide range of testing options today and in the future.

As Chris states, “OSA’s depth of knowledge on EXFO products and excellent relationships with their other key vendors allows the OSA team to evolve and innovate, and keep up to date with current local and international standards and global trends.

OSA is consistent in advising key Linktech technical personnel of changes in the test and measurement environment and informing Linktech of upcoming products and software upgrades to our EXFO OTDRs.”

“Furthermore,” Chris adds, “as Linktech purchase and invest in additional EXFO products, the OSA team advise and communicate with our technical personnel well in advance of products’ life cycle …

ensuring that we do not purchase equipment that will potentially have a shortened life-span due to lack of service support or available spares.”

Supporting the customer every step of the wayOnce Linktech’s EXFO OTDRs were purchased and handed over, dedicated account management and ongoing support continue to provide Linktech with peace of mind.

Chris notes, “OSA and EXFO have provided regular dedicated training workshops with our staff. EXFO also arrange local meetings with international product line managers, who are industry experts from a global telecom operator and field workforce perspective and are abreast of all current international technology developments.

Linktech has utilised this expertise to streamline our testing processes and ensure that all technical and field staff have a very high understanding of the capabilities and functionality of the test equipment they use.

Feedback from our technicians and field staff indicates that various operating tips that have come from these training sessions and meeting discussions have been invaluable and resulted in increased productivity, knowledge and better accuracy of results analysis.”

A strong partnership with the vendor

A strong partnership with the vendor

Choosing EXFO and its world-class FTB ecosystem – the FTB line of portable test platforms – means Linktech are partnering with the world leader in portable fibre-optic test equipment.

With over 25 years of proven expertise and innovation in optical testing as well as a true understanding of optical testing methods and procedures, EXFO is the ideal test and measurement vendor to partner with.

They deliver unsurpassed operational efficiency, and enhanced deployment methods and processes to reduce costs.

OSA Victoria State Manager Dave McKeown adds, “OSA and EXFO have been partners for over 10 years. Working closely with both Chris and his team at Linktech and EXFO management throughout this process has been critical to its success. The strength in partnership approach during this process has also provided Linktech, OSA and EXFO with mutual benefits not only today but for the future, as technology continues to transform the telecommunications industry at a rapid rate.”

In it for the long haul

In it for the long haul

The long-term OSA and EXFO partnership has many advantages for Linktech, both in support of the equipment investment and in the continuation of Linktech’s optical test and measurement product life-cycle support.

For Chris, the stand out points are, “the fully educated and trained product management team that is contactable and willing to assist my field staff with any questions or issues should they arise, dedicated availability of hot-swap replacement equipment, availability of loan equipment when required and rapid turnaround of equipment when instruments from our fleet require scheduled calibration, service and repair, which leads to better utilisation and increased productivity.”

Chris adds, “From Linktech’s previous experience using OSA as a key material supplier, I knew that the OSA team would be a valuable partner to support our business today and in the future as well as provide an exceptional level of customer service and provide added value specific to our test equipment asset management.”

OSA’s convenient office location in Port Melbourne provides Linktech and its customers with assured access to EXFO products. And their nationwide presence has enabled Linktech to use the Silverwater branch for their NSW requirements.

“OSA is the only specialist optical fibre supplier close to the Melbourne CBD and surrounding data centre and collocation facilities that carry an extensive range of the required materials, consumables and supply chain solutions that we require on a daily basis. Their nearest competitor would be a 1-2 hour turnaround trip from the city.”

“Linktech will continue to partner with OSA for all EXFO requirements,” concludes Chris. “And I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dave and his OSA Melbourne team to others.”

EXFO OSA Partnership

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