Spare Parts Management and Hardware Refurbishment
In the technically complex, specialized world of the network spares supply chain, NetLife SaaS makes it simple for telecom operators and managed service providers to intelligently execute a range of SPMS functions. Enhanced intelligence features with NetLife Technical Intelligence allow visibility the in-field performance of network assets using a range of parameters, historical fault data and predictive algorithms across a range of OEMs and generations of technology. Network operators can quickly identify performance trends which indicate actionable needs for upgrade, swap or replacement or where a new generation of hardware may be at risk of early performance issues under warranty.
In a multi-vendor network operation, spares management is often poorly understood, but essential to network quality and up-time.
Tracking inventory workflow and stock rotation through the phases of this process is the key to efficiency and optimal cost. The activity of providing time-critical spares to maintain networks has dozens of technical terms, names, and abbreviations just at a functional level*. This terminology can be confusing to many before even the technical level of quality, SLA, fault rates, and RMA performance is considered. While the activity is handled at the field level, spare management is a high-impact area for cost reduction which should be addressed at the Executive & Board level in the context of a managed services strategy.
In some cases poor spares inventory planning, and in field tracking can not only affect network availability but can cause bloated spending on spare parts.
This may result from technical personnel compensating for poor SPM process by increasing the quantity of parts in inventory and accessible in the field. NetLife for SPMS informs clients with benchmarks on performance statistics and total cost of ownership metrics to ensure each operator has the right SPM performance and cost level relative to their network and user environment. NetLife SaaS delivers a single interface in a complex world of warranties and 3rd party support. NetLife tracks all activities related to spares management including issuance, technical quality control, logistics, RMA management, stocking levels, and availability guarantees.