Why do we still have techs who install PBX and key systems like it’s 1990. I doubt this group in abfs brings in any significant revenue. That seems like a good place to save money. Sell off or spin off that useless CPE group. Down here in the southeast they’re called systems techs.
19 replies (most recent on top)
They will need extensive training in encapsulant cleaning, manhole sitting and aerial splice bridge tap removal.with the new contract.
Lots of business required wired point to point services not wifi or ran.
I don't get mad when I have a trouble ticket for the City of "whatever" FX line or an analogue data circuit for the gas, water or power company. They pay their bills even if their service is on 40 year old technology. They keep paying, I'll keep fixing.
ABFS legacy techs do only ABFS work and per contract don't have to do outside plant work. Their techs can do ABFS work, but not vice-versa! I know this for a fact! So, they're not all cross trained!
Dist 4, ABFS work was moved into Business Services several years ago, most are cross trained and do both job functions.
lots of business required wired point to point services not wifi or ran.
It should all be wifi and RAN at this point.
Well, since you seem to be targeting SE systems techs, I can only assume you are a disgruntled Digital Tech in the SE. For everyone reading who can’t pick up specific from your vague post, Business Field Services is mainly split between 2 work functions in the 21-states (In-Region); Transport (Formerly “Specials” or “Special Services” or “SSI&M”) and CPE/Managed Services (Formerly ABFS or Advanced Systems or Bellsouth Communications Systems (BCS) in the SE). In the SE this work is divided between 2 separate titles, Systems Technicians - CPE/Managed Services and Digital Technician - Transport. All other regions have these functions merged under 1 title. While their is some overlap with the Digital Techs performing some CPE/MS work, most Systems Technicians historically don’t cross into the transport space which means they don’t have to work on all that non-designed broadband old DS0/DS1 stuff that the DT’s are upset about. The Tier 1 metrics for CPE/MS are also very easy to achieve and it’s not hard at all to manipulate work and time coding to look like a hero while sitting on your bu-t doing nothing. Most of the Systems Techs in the SE do seem to think they are a cut above because they don’t have to work on Broadband or in the OSP and some of them really are very sharp and capable at their jobs, but the same can be said for the Transport folks as well. There are rotten apples in both functions for sure. They are both union jobs with the same test qualifications (TKTll).
Traditional Big Iron has been in a steady decline for several years now so the landscape of work that Systems Techs perform has vastly changed and the same for the Digital Techs as well with the shift to Broadband from designed transport technologies. Those Systems Techs that continue to work on local PBX CPE (Nortel, Anaya, Shortel,etc.) and Digital Techs that deploy and maintain 911 CPE are normally in a different skill bucket from other techs. The rest is basically installing a box and wire and hitting a button to run complex provisioning automation.
I'm sure if it's something that's making money, but not ENOUGH money, they'll get rid of it. That's how this company operates now. We through away business if it's not high profit enough. That's yet another part of how we lose customers.
Any business that provides profit and cash to the corporation will continue. Got to remember the big picture. As long as customers want it, give it to them.
Absolutely. Get rid of the techs on outdated wireline!!
Phone systems are mostly a small part of the system techs work anymore. Most of the job is providing the MIS that the customer connects their own network to. It’s mostly easy money for T & with OOR they aren’t limited to their in region/lec footprint.
Be like mobility, just hire a vendor.
Because we are a phone company
You could say the same about the top 20% of management from the CEO on down. Cut them all.
You realize system techs are basically the SMB/Enterprise equivalent of Install/Prem techs right? Who do you propose does their job instead?
Systems techs are better skilled; , they typically have the best networking and pc skills.Company would be stupid to get rid of them. Most of the company techs don’t even know how to change their pc IP address lol
because they have relatives in key spots.
Because they have 30+ years and you don't.
Guess who goes first?
Doubtful T does any work unless it's getting paid.
And businesses are often one of the least cost-sensitive.