I guess I should introduce myself and give you a little background about myself. I have a slight advantage because I feel your pain(s). I was a field tech for 7 years installing everything from autodialers, to key systems and PBXs, so I know your frustrations. I then moved on to being a NOC tech at Thrifty Call, which has since become Grande. I started learning the Nortel DMS 250(LD switch), then as we migrated more to a local service provider, learned the DMS-500 (LD and Local Switch). I have been with this same company since 1997 and watched it grow tremendously. We now have 6 DMS-500s of which 5 are in Texas and 1 in Atlanta, and 1 Genband (formerly Tekelec) C3 Gateway Controller and 3 Media Gateways (in Texas) which is a TDM and VoIP switch. I've built all the local translations for this company from the ground up and I love my job... which is the primary reason I'm here. I want my company to succeed, and therefor I succeed with it. If I can get your perspectives, and help you guys do your jobs more proficiently, then I help myself do my job more proficiently, and in the process broaden my knowledge-base. I want to be here so I can help...that's all. Most of the time, I find that the tension between field techs and CO techs (or perhaps we are now Weasels) is not due to lack of knowledge, but more attributable to lack of communication. As you pointed out, this generally comes from poor sales people, and sales engineers that don't truly understand what either the CPE technicians need to know nor do they need or want to know what the CO technicians need. Somehow they believe the T1s or what have you, magically turn themselves up and all T1s are the same. I sense Avalon was a bit angry, at my statement, and don't misunderstand what I meant by field techs... what I was referring to was that the tech from Grande was the one who was misinformed. As a CPE tech, I would have been asking myself why the hell a CLEC like Grande would have changed CID voltage too...but I assure you, he's very incorrect. Since we have so many modes of transport(copper, GR-303, PRI, VoIP,etc..), I sincerely needed him to let me know who this customer is, so I can be sure that we don't have a problem on our network. I've noticed too many times that the escalation processes in my company (as well as others) sometimes falter and tickets are closed without proper resolution. I hope this and all future issues can be resolved quickly. I am here and open to any CO questions you guys may have no matter if it's a new turn up, or change in service.. what have you. Take care all... and it's good to be here.
