In modern critical applications, connectivity between field equipment and operational control centers (OCCs) has become as vital as the physical infrastructure itself. However, many organizations still underestimate the complexity and specific requirements needed 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 virtually zero. A water treatment plant, for example, cannot be left unmonitored for fifteen minutes. Similarly, a communication failure in a power substation or a railway traffic control system can have catastrophic consequences.
In these environments, a 99% SLA (Service Level Agreement) isn't just a desirable metric—it's an absolutely critical operational necessity. Every minute of downtime can mean security risks, 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 applications sector is assuming that conventional connectivity solutions can adequately meet the demands of these applications. Traditional mobile operators and MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) offer infrastructures that, while suitable for corporate communications, present serious limitations when applied to industrial environments.
These limitations include fragile architectures not designed for critical operations, system updates that can take down all endpoints simultaneously, reliance on services like DNS that can be unstable, proprietary APNs prone to configuration errors, and a lack of prioritization for critical data traffic.
The Myth of Internal Development
Frustrated by the limitations of conventional solutions and a lack of knowledge about market options, many companies choose to develop their own connectivity tools and architectures internally. This decision often stems from a mistaken perception that internal IT teams have the resources and time to replicate the complexity and develop a specialized solution. What initially seemed like a solution quickly becomes an internal project with low reliability, high costs, and internal dependence on technologies not designed for the application.
A recent case illustrates this perfectly. A large sanitation company, operating more than 50 remote monitoring points, decided to abandon a specialized solution in favor of direct connections between its supervisory system and field equipment. The result was disastrous: constant communication outages, extended periods of downtime, and a significant degradation in monitoring quality. 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 fail to understand is that a truly robust network architecture for critical remote applications requires the convergence of multiple specialized knowledge domains and constant investment in development and innovation. It requires a deep understanding of the specific protocols used in industrial automation, detailed knowledge of how mobile networks work, expertise in security protocols, an understanding of the specific needs of each SCADA system, and the ability to harmonize Operational Technology requirements with Information Technology practices.
The Need for Specialized Architecture
To achieve and maintain an SLA greater than 99% in critical environments using cellular connectivity, a specially designed network architecture is required that includes redundant communication systems, automatic failure recovery mechanisms, proactive connectivity and fraud monitoring, intelligent reconnection management, independence from unstable carrier services, and the ability to reroute in the event of infrastructure failures.
Knowledge transformed into innovation
With over two decades of experience in critical industrial connectivity and over 1,500 projects implemented, Above-Net developed the Bridgemanager solution, which implements an innovative communication and process automation architecture to ensure exceptional levels of availability. Our multidisciplinary team combines in-depth expertise in automation, communication networks, and information security, enabling us to deliver a truly innovative and robust solution for critical environments.
Bridgemanager: Automated Remote Communication
Bridgemanager is an advanced remote communication management system that revolutionizes the way companies maintain connectivity with field equipment. Unlike conventional solutions, Bridgemanager uses a proprietary architecture that operates independently of the common weaknesses of carrier networks. The system actively manages each connection, monitoring its integrity and implementing automatic recovery when necessary.
Bridgemanager and Bridgemeter: Native integration for reliable communication and data collection
Complementing this robust infrastructure that increases communication reliability, Bridgemeter is the intelligent Industrial IoT platform that enables proactive real-time monitoring of any connected equipment. The system receives information from PLCs, digital and analog sensors, motors, and various other devices, processing this data and generating instantly actionable insights in a single platform, regardless of the manufacturer or type of equipment being monitored.
When integrated, Bridgemanager and Bridgemeter offer:
Very High Remote Connectivity SLA
Our solution continuously monitors the status of each connection, with proactive problem detection, automatic failure recovery without manual intervention, and automatic routing in case of problems with carrier services.
Advanced Data Processing
The system performs real-time collection and processing of field information, predictive analysis for early identification of problems, automatic generation of alerts based on customizable intelligence and transparent integration with existing supervisory systems.
Unified and Intuitive Interface
The solution provides a centralized dashboard for viewing communication and data collection from all monitored points, with access via the web and mobile app, real-time notifications for field teams, and viewing of documentation for monitored equipment.
Operational Benefits
The results include a significant reduction in the need to resolve communication issues remotely, anticipated downtime and operational degradation, shorter time to identify failures, significant reduction in logistics and travel costs, as well as increased efficiency of maintenance teams and proactive prevention of critical failures.
Conclusion
In an environment where every second of downtime can have serious consequences, choosing the right connectivity architecture is crucial. Experience has repeatedly shown that conventional or in-house solutions rarely meet the stringent requirements of critical industrial applications.
Partnering with a specialized company that has the necessary technical expertise and a proven robust architecture is not only a prudent choice—it's a strategic imperative for organizations that rely on reliable communications for their critical operations.
Schedule a personalized demonstration here of how our specialized architecture can transform the reliability of your remote communications.
