Introduction
Chris Kirkland, President of Ascend Broadband, a consulting firm empowering communities and businesses with innovative connectivity solutions, strategically utilized the VETRO Fiber Management Platform during his tenure at an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and in his current role at Ascend.
Background
Chris, with a background in managing large engineering contracts for major telecommunications companies, his first encounter with VETRO was at an ISP. At that time, the provider had already adopted VETRO for a significant portion of their network design.
Utilization of VETRO:
Chris has leveraged VETRO across various critical functions:
High-Level Network Design: He utilized VETRO for auto-designs and high-level designs, achieving a level of detail that impressed Chris compared to previous experiences. This facilitated efficient initial network planning.
Detailed Engineering and Planning: VETRO served as the primary design platform for the ISP. Chris’s team found VETRO intuitive, easy to manage, and efficient for designing fiber networks. They quickly adopted it, finding it superior to anything else they had used in the past.
Centralized Database and System of Record: VETRO became the central repository for network information. Design plans, as-builts, and construction details were all housed within the platform. This eliminated data silos and provided a single source of truth for the network.
Operational Tool: Beyond design, this provider extensively used VETRO for day-to-day operations. The field operations and network operations teams relied on VETRO as their “lifeline.” As Chris succinctly stated, “While VETRO excels in design and planning, I was impressed by its comprehensive operational features, a side I hadn’t seen in previous roles focused solely on design and construction documentation. VETRO became our central operational hub – our lifeline – used daily by engineering, planning, construction, field, and network operations teams. Everything resided within VETRO.”
Field Support and Troubleshooting: VETRO enabled efficient field support. In-house representatives could quickly pull circuit traces and reports for field technicians. Some field teams even had direct access to VETRO to troubleshoot and trace circuits themselves, ensuring accurate reporting.
Onboarding and Training: VETRO’s intuitive interface facilitated rapid onboarding of new team members, even those with limited design experience. As Chris explained, “What I found with VETROis not only was it intuitive to use and easy for new designers, entry level folk with very little design experience could on-board on a Monday, and then by the end of the week or the 1st of the next week, they’re actively designing network in VETRO.”
Integration with Other Systems (via APIs): VETRO’s ability to integrate with other crucial business systems, such as for OSS/BSS and construction management software was paramount. This highlights VETRO’s capability to function within a broader technology ecosystem.
Customer Service and Support: Chris highlighted proactive communication regarding updates, thorough explanations of new features, and readily available support. “Our VETRO account manager always did a great job as far as making sure that our needs were met, making sure that we were using the tool to his fullest advantage, and taking advantage of new updates when they came out.”
"While VETRO excels in design and planning, I was impressed by its comprehensive operational features, a side I hadn't seen in previous roles focused solely on design and construction documentation. VETRO became our central operational hub – our lifeline – used daily by engineering, planning, construction, field, and network operations teams. Everything resided within VETRO."
Key Benefits Realized:
Improved Design Efficiency and Accuracy: VETRO’s intuitive design tools and detailed mapping capabilities streamlined the network design process and reduced errors.
Enhanced Collaboration and Communication: A centralized platform facilitated better communication and collaboration between engineering, planning, construction, and operations teams.
Streamlined Operations and Reduced Downtime: Quick access to network information and circuit tracing tools enabled faster troubleshooting and minimized service disruptions.
Faster Onboarding of New Employees: VETRO’s ease of use accelerated the training and integration of new team members.
Data-Driven Decision Making: A comprehensive and accurate network database provided valuable insights for planning and operational decisions.
Flexibility and Scalability: VETRO supports network growth and facilitates the integration of subcontractors and vendors.
Strong Vendor Partnership: VETRO’s responsive customer service and proactive communication fostered a positive and productive vendor relationship.
VETRO's Value in Consulting
Now at Ascend, Chris sees VETRO as a valuable asset in his consulting toolkit. He is recommending VETRO to his clients and identifies specific features that would be beneficial for everyone from small to large ISPs and dark fiber owners. VETRO’s ability to link lease agreements directly to specific fiber strands within the map is necessary to run an efficient and successful dark fiber business.
Chris emphasizes that VETRO has evolved beyond a simple mapping tool, describing it as a “network platform” or a “network database” that acts as an “ecosystem” for network data and operations. He appreciates VETRO’s shift towards managed APIs, facilitating controlled data sharing with other specialized software.
Chris’s experience at both an ISP and as a broadband consultant demonstrates the significant value of VETRO as a comprehensive fiber management platform. Its impact spanned from initial network design to daily operations, fostering efficiency, collaboration, and informed decision-making. Chris’s continued advocacy for VETRO in his consulting role underscores its effectiveness and potential for other network operators and even specific use cases like dark fiber leasing. His insights into potential future enhancements highlight the ongoing evolution of VETRO to meet the evolving needs of the broadband industry. This case study illustrates how a well-implemented fiber management platform like VETRO can be a critical enabler for a growing and dynamic ISP.
About VETRO
At VETRO, we believe visualizing data unlocks hidden potential, radically simplifying the way businesses operate and digitizing the future of connectivity. We focus on empowering network operators with unparalleled clarity and control over their fiber networks, enabling them to move faster, better, and more efficiently than ever before. Our revolutionary platform isn’t just software – it’s the physical network asset system of record, offering unprecedented visibility and control from strategic planning to daily operations. We empower our customers to bridge the digital divide at a rapid pace, unlock unforeseen opportunities, and squeeze the maximum value from their networks. Let’s illuminate the unseen, digitize the way we connect, and shape the future of connectivity, together!
