In modern critical applications, connectivity between field equipment and Operational Control Centers (CCO) has become as vital as physical infrastructure itself. However, many organizations still underestimate the complexity and specific requirements necessary to maintain truly reliable communication in critical operations.
The reality of critical operations
In sectors such as sanitation, energy, heavy industry and hospitals, tolerance for communication interruptions is practically null. A water treatment plant, for example, cannot run out of monitoring for fifteen minutes. Similarly, a communication failure in a power substation or a rail traffic control system can have catastrophic consequences.
In these environments, a 99% SLA (Service Level Add) SLA is not just a desirable metric - it is an absolutely critical operational necessity. Each minute of unavailability can mean risks to safety, substantial financial losses, and in extreme cases even threats to human life.
The limits of conventional solutions
One of the biggest misconceptions in the critical application sector is to assume that conventional connectivity solutions can adequately meet the demands of these applications. Traditional mobile operators and Mobile Virtual Network Operators) offer infrastructures that, although appropriate for corporate communications, have serious limitations when applied to industrial environments.
These limitations include fragile architectures not designed for critical operations, system updates that can overthrow all points simultaneously, service dependence such as DNS that may have instabilities, proprietary posts subject to configuration failures and lack of prioritization for critical data traffic.
The myth of internal development
Frustrated with the limitations of conventional solutions and lack of knowledge of options in the market, many companies choose to develop their own tools and connectivity architectures internally. This decision is often born of a mistaken perception that internal IT teams will have resources and time to replicate complexity and develop a specialized solution. In a short time what seemed at first a solution becomes an internal project of low reliability, high cost, and internal dependence on unpaid technologies.
A recent case perfectly illustrates this scenario. A large sanitation company, operating more than 50 remote monitoring points, has decided to abandon a specialized solution in favor of direct connections between its supervisory system and field equipment. The result was disastrous: constant declines of communication, extensive periods of unavailability and significant degradation in the quality of monitoring. After weeks of operational problems, the company recognized the need to return to the specialized solution.
The hidden complexity of remote connectivity
What many organizations do not understand is that a truly robust network architecture for remote critical applications requires the convergence of multiple specialized knowledge domains and constant investments in development and innovation. It is necessary profound understanding of the specific protocols used in industrial automation, detailed knowledge about the functioning of mobile networks, expertise in safety protocols, understanding the specific needs of each system SCADA and the ability to harmonize the requirements of operational technology with technology practices Information.
The need for a specialized architecture
To achieve and maintain a SLA greater than 99% in critical environments that use cellular connection, specially designed network architecture that includes redundant communication systems, automatic failure recovery mechanisms, proactive connectivity and fraud monitoring, intelligent management of Reconnections, independence of unstable operators and redirecting services in case of infrastructure failures.
Knowledge transformed into innovation
With over two decades of experience in critical industrial connectivity and over 1,500 implemented projects, Above-Net has developed the Bridgemanager solution that implements innovative process communication and automation architecture to ensure exceptional levels of availability. Our multidisciplinary team combines deep knowledge in automation, communication networks and information security, allowing the delivery of the truly innovative and robust solution to critical environments.
BridgeManager: Automated Management of Remote Communication
BridgeManager is an advanced remote communication management system that revolutionizes the way companies maintain field equipment connectivity. Unlike conventional solutions, BridgeManager uses its own architecture that operates independently of common weaknesses in operator networks. The system actively manages each connection, monitoring its integrity and implementing automatic recovery when necessary.
Bridgemanager and Bridgemeter: Native integration for communication and collection of reliable data
Complementing this robust infrastructure that allows increased reliability of communication, Bridgemeter is the intelligent industrial IoT platform that allows real -time proactive monitoring of any connected equipment. The system receives information from PLCs, digital and analog sensors, engines and various other devices, processing this data and generating invoicing insights instantly in just one platform, regardless of the manufacturer or type of monitored equipment.
When integrated, Bridgemanager and Bridgemeter offer:
Very high remote connectivity SLA
Our solution maintains continuous status monitoring of each connection, with proactive problem detection, automatic fault recovery without manual intervention and automatic routing in case of problems with operator services.
Advanced Data Processing
The system conducts real -time field information collection and processing, predictive analysis for early identification of problems, automatic generation of customizable intelligence -based alerts and transparent integration with existing supervisory systems.
Unified and intuitive interface
The solution provides a centralized dashboard for communication viewing and data collection of all monitored points, with web access and mobile application, real -time notifications for field teams and monitored equipment documentation view.
Operational benefits
Results include a significant reduction in the need to solve communication problems remotely, stop anticipation and operation degradation, lower fault identification, significant reduction in logistics and displacement costs, and increased efficiency of maintenance teams and Proactive prevention of critical failures.
Conclusion
In an environment where every second of unavailability can have serious consequences, the choice of correct connectivity architecture is critical. Experience has repeatedly demonstrated that conventional or internally developed solutions rarely meet the strict requirements of critical industrial applications.
The partnership with a specialized company, which has the necessary technical knowledge and proven robust architecture, is not just a prudent choice - it is a strategic imperative for organizations that depend on reliable communication for their critical operations.
Schedule here a personalized demonstration of how our specialized architecture can transform the reliability of your remote communications.
