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Acterna Announces TechComplete Test Productivity Pack for Cable Networks

Posted on: Tuesday, 15 June 2004, 06:00 CDT

Integrated Software System Enables Operators to Manage and Analyze Test Data with the Ultimate in Efficiency; on Display at 2004 SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, Booth # 2333

Acterna, the world's leading provider of cable network test and management solutions, today announced the release of the company's TechComplete(TM) Test Productivity Pack, a software package to enable new features for Acterna's Digital Services Activation Meter (DSAM) and Remote Service Analyzer Meter (RSAM) test instruments. These features include functionality for managing field data, remote access to RSAM-5600 forward-path results, and the ability to manage meter browsers and remotely access DSAM's in the field.

The TechComplete Test Productivity Pack empowers cable network technicians with greater productivity by giving them the ability to access and manage field data remotely. It features a powerful client-server and web browser interface, which provides technicians with remote access to current data. The host of tools available within the Test Productivity Pack -- including browser access of test results from Acterna's RSAM-5600 Remote Service Analyzers and Remote Access of DSAM field meters - also give technicians and managers the ability to proactively deploy and maintain their advanced HFC networks.

"TechComplete Test Productivity Pack gives technicians access to accurate and pertinent data and leads to lower costs greater efficiency by reducing call-backs, second truck rolls and associated drive time," said Bill Robertson, vice president of marketing and international sales for Acterna's Cable Networks Division.

Using proven and cost effective DOCSIS(R) connectivity within the existing RF plant, the Test Productivity Pack synchronization capability between the field DSAM meters ensures the meters keep information up-to-date. In addition, the Field Data Management functionality allows supervisors and managers to create, edit and deploy channel plans as well as limit plans to DSAM's and RSAM's. Remote access to information is especially useful for technicians who no longer have to return to a central location to receive valuable test results. In addition, the Test Productivity Pack offers remote access to archived test results which improves the ability of a technician or a supervisor to troubleshoot the network.

The Test Productivity Pack's field test management functions include the ability to display measurement files in a rich graphical user interface. The field measurements can also be viewed and archived according to the DSAM's unique, customizable directory work folder structure whenever a DSAM synchronizes. In addition, archived work folders can be deployed to select DSAMs for viewing and analysis in the field.

To enhance the DSAM's browser option and interconnectivity, the Test Productivity Pack provides enables the management of applications and web sites accessed by the meters. The meter browser management tool allows rapid deployment of new web-based applications on the DSAM. It provides a secure and customizable interface to the web for field technicians and eliminates time wasted searching and surfing for sites. With a central database, all web access for the DSAM's can be controlled and maintained by supervisors.

Launched formally at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2004 in Orlando, June 15-18 booth # 2333, the TechComplete(TM) Test Productivity Pack represents Acterna's interoperable software platform, integrating efficient data management into all operations by capturing the power of test data as well as continually expanding data manipulation and analysis capability. The Test Productivity Pack is a component of Acterna's TechComplete(TM) Cable Solutions family of workforce automation tools.

Note to editors: For digital images of Acterna's cable networks solutions, please log onto ftp://ftp.en-ssi.acterna.com/CableTec%20photos/.

Acterna TechComplete(TM) Cable Solutions

Acterna's TechComplete(TM) Cable Solutions suite of workforce management solutions reduces the costs associated with installing, troubleshooting and managing cable services. Implemented on the Acterna DSAM family of test instruments for the cable industry, TechComplete(TM) provides technicians with immediate, interactive access to back-office systems over existing, paid-for channels, as well as test applications and other Acterna systems. Acterna offers specific solutions that not only include the hardware but the software for providing specific applications that connect systems to field technicians. Open and customizable, TechComplete(TM) solutions enable operators to control the information passed to the field in accordance with their own workforce management philosophies. In particular, the Test Productivity Pack is the building block for other TechComplete(TM) offerings such as the TechComplete(TM) Closeout Management Reporting System that provides coaching reports and interfaces into existing billing systems. TechComplete(TM) solutions transform test equipment into multifunctional devices that automate advanced services testing, reduce capital expenditures, and eliminate costly rework. As a result, technicians can perform more work faster with less cost and greater subscriber satisfaction.

About Acterna

Acterna is the world's largest provider of communications test solutions for telecommunications and cable network operators. A trusted communications test partner for more than eight decades, Acterna offers an unmatched portfolio of award-winning instruments, systems, software and services that help its customers reduce network costs while improving performance and reliability. Headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, USA - with European and Asia-Pacific operations based in Eningen, Germany and Hong Kong - Acterna serves nearly every major communications service provider and equipment manufacturer around the world through a skilled sales and support organization in 31 countries.

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