Hello everyone, this is Anton Kislyakov, head of the installation and operation of wireless communication systems at Orange Business Services in Russia and the CIS countries. Many articles about IT start with an introduction like βone day I was sitting in the office, drinking coffee with a team leader, and an idea came to our mind ...β. But I would like to talk about working in the field, not in the office, and the conditions that can be called extreme. IT is far from just an office, papers and monitors.
I will tell you about two cases: the first is the installation of satellite communication systems in Siberia, at a temperature of minus 40 and closed supply routes. The second is the installation of satellite communications equipment on a ship in the port of Nakhodka under the strictest quarantine conditions for COVID-19.
Project number 1. FOCL and satellite communication in Siberia
The essence of the project
Under the terms of one of the projects, in just 71 days from the date of signing the contract in the conditions of Siberian frosts, we undertook:
- Mount nineteen client (1,8 m) and one nodal (3,8 m) antennas at the fields.
- Organize two new fiber-optic communication lines to a client in Irkutsk.
- Install Riverbed traffic optimization equipment on channels.
How did we do it
The antennas were promptly assembled by the company's employees in Irkutsk. But assembling the equipment is not even half the battle, it still needs to be delivered to the site, as well as installed. Delivery was difficult as the general road was closed for 2,5 months due to severe weather conditions. This is not force majeure, but a common situation in Siberia.
The weight of the equipment was 6 tons. All this was loaded for shipment, after which we began to look for a delivery method. Moreover, the path was not close - not a hundred or two kilometers, but 2000 km along the northern road in one of the most unfavorable seasons for traveling long distances. Due to the closure of the general purpose road, it was necessary to wait for the winter road. This is a road on ice, the thickness of which must be sufficient to withstand 6 tons of cargo and the weight of the transport. We couldn't wait, so we managed to find another way.
Thanks to the perseverance of the employees who were responsible for the order, we managed to get a special pass for admission to a special road of one of the large oil producing enterprises. It was operated year-round, and led just where we needed to get.
At the time of shipment, the network infrastructure was almost ready: one communication line was built, equipment was installed at the receiving point, and a temporary fast-start optimization solution was tested. In addition, we ordered the necessary frequencies on board the satellite.
As for the timing, the equipment was loaded into transport on November 2, and on November 23 the container arrived at the warehouse at the delivery point. Thus, there was a week left for delivery and installation at 9 sites that were critical for the customer.
Final stage
Already on the night of November 24-25, at 40-degree frost, engineers (by the way, after a 5-hour journey on a periodically freezing car) were able to completely mount and hand over the site with a nodal antenna with a diameter of 3,8 m.
By December 1, all nine active sites were connected to the network, and a week later the installation of the last station was completed.
In total, in the harsh climatic conditions of Siberia, we installed 20 sites - and in just 15 days.
The project confirmed that if you are not afraid to take responsibility, help colleagues and partners and be able to adapt to difficult conditions, the results will be worthy.
Project number 2. Work in Nakhodka
The essence of the project
Another project under difficult conditions was implemented in the port of Nakhodka. The task is to install satellite communication equipment on a bunkering vessel during its stay in the port. The project was implemented, firstly, in conditions of heavy seas at sea (we are talking about the Sea of ββJapan), and secondly, under quarantine conditions.
In just 2 days we needed:
- Find out what difficulties may arise in the course of solving project problems due to quarantine.
- Deliver the equipment of the Korean company KNS to a distance of about 200 km.
- Install this equipment.
- Leave Nakhodka under quarantine.
The request for the installation of equipment was received on May 7, and already on May 10 it was necessary to hand over the project. On May 8, the city of Nakhodka was closed for entry and exit due to quarantine, but, fortunately, the engineers had all the documents necessary for the work.
How did we do it
The implementation of the project took place during the period with the most stringent quarantine conditions associated with COVID-19. Then there were very strict bans on movement between regions.
The city closest to Nakhodka, where the necessary equipment and specialists who could install it, was Vladivostok. Therefore, it was not entirely clear whether it would be possible to deliver the equipment and send engineers to install it in the port.
To clarify the situation, we carefully studied the decree of the governor of Primorsky Krai, clarified the details on number 112. Then we prepared the documentation and provided it to the engineers. Thanks to this, the specialists got to the client without any problems.
The installation itself did not cause any special problems, although it was carried out in conditions of strong pitching at sea, plus the installation of part of the antenna system was carried out by the light of a lantern, although such equipment is usually assembled at the factory.
The work was completed on time, as it was carried out day and night, in an enhanced mode. The station was successfully put into operation, the ship received all the necessary services - Internet, WiFi and voice communication.
Upon completion of the project, the engineers almost fell into the "quarantine trap". The crew of the ship on which the equipment was mounted were subject to a two-week self-isolation. Our engineers accidentally got on the βquarantine listβ, and they were also almost isolated. But the mistake was corrected in time.
Well, when the engineers were already leaving, the sea was very stormy, so the boat that took the employees ran into a wooden ladder and broke it off. I had to jump, choosing the moment when the wave raises the side of the boat, so that the distance between it and the rest of the ladder is minimal. I also remember this moment.
At the end of the project, we analyzed the results and made a couple of important conclusions. Firstly, it is better to keep factory warehouses closer to customers, so that in difficult moments, like quarantine, not to stop the process and not let partners down. Secondly, the company began to look for specialists on the ground who could help in the implementation of projects in case, due to quarantine, staff members cannot get to the right place. Situations like this are not excluded in the future, so you need to provide options for solving such problems.
The general conclusion on the two projects is quite logical. Customers need results, no one will take into account unforeseen circumstances, unless, of course, this is a force majeure spelled out in the contract. Which means:
- To implement such projects, engineers are needed who are not only well-versed in their field, but also able to work in extreme conditions.
- We need a team that can quickly and smoothly solve unexpected problems.
Source: habr.com