At MNI, we understand the value of providing complete turnkey solutions for our customers. As a result, we offer the services described below. Any of these functions can be provided separately, or as part of a complete package.

Systems and Applications Engineering
MNI systems and applications engineers provide technical direction for overall system integrity. They ensure that sub-systems and  vendor-furnished equipment are compatible, so the performance of the system is maintained regardless of any modifications to the requirements. The systems engineer works closely with the sales support engineer to guarantee requirements to interface new and existing equipment or equipment supplied by others are fully met.

Applications engineers review and translate the entire system configuration, as designed by the system engineer, into specific hardware requirements, precise interface levels, intra- and inter-rack cabling and peripheral equipment. The applications engineer also provides final rack profiles and related interconnection data. The factory works from information provided by applications engineers for each sales order to meet the customer’s requirements.


Field Services(Site Survey, Installation, Testing, Acceptance)
Field engineers ensure that field services are performed to industry, customer and MNI’s standards and practices. MNI has extensive experience in planning, engineering, installing, and optimizing line-of-sight microwave paths for communication systems.

MNI utilizes experienced installation supervisors for all equipment installations. When required, MNI also can call on our in-country representatives for installation crews. Our crews are trained to respect customer property and operations and will follow all local safety regulations. Crews will be managed directly by the installation supervisor and program management and supported by members of the project team along with people from other MNI departments.

To show compliance with specifications and/or functional intent, field acceptance testing is performed on all MNI-supplied equipment. MNI can provide field engineers experienced in the telecommunications industry to do all contracted testing of the project. The field testing crew works with engineering documents including commissioning and acceptance specifications, equipment manuals, and technical support literature. Field test data will be recorded on and checklists for each site. The customer is welcome to watch commissioning tests and obtain informal on-the-job training. All testing in the field is coordinated by the installation supervisor. The crews are also supported by the program manager and the project team.


Program Management
The program management approach for microwave system engineering and installation coordination follows current methods in status reporting, issue management and change management.


Presale
At every step leading to an order, the sales manager is the customer’s point-of-contact. He or she serves as a guide to all MNI services. Behind the scenes, however, is a team of sales support engineers, systems application engineers, and transmission engineers to ensure that the proposal and order are complete, correct, and include all the elements for a successful installation. The model below depicts the activities of the project life-cycle.


Order Entry
As indicated in the model above, the sales manager is responsible for turning sales efforts into an actual order. The project engineer prepares a bill of materials and coordinates the order through manufacturing, testing, and delivery. The sales manager turns over the project responsibilities to the assigned program manager.


Project Implementation
Although the sales manager remains involved in the project, the program manager becomes the customer’s primary contact for the duration of the project. He or she prepares time lines and milestones, coordinates schedules of the other team members and works with the customer’s project manager to make sure that all expectations are met. The program manager is authorized to make decisions on behalf of MNI to implement the project economically and efficiently.

MNI provides cost-effective, professional installations, incorporating local representatives and contractors where appropriate. The program manager works closely with the installation supervisor, who has full access to MNI resources and personnel. Key team members will go to the customer site as necessary, to begin knowledge-sharing and project-start-up activities.

Project Roles
The table below identifies and defines some of the key project roles.

Project Role	Responsibility Highlight
Pre-Sale Team
Sales Manager	Customer’s point-of-contact Guide to all products and services offered by MNI
Sales Support/Product Engineers	Sales Manager’s in-house contact at MNI Responds to customer questions and requests for technical support Performs preliminary engineering studies and network design Translates system configurations into hardware requirements
Transmission Engineers	Verifies suitability of proposed paths Recommends optimum routing for the system
Order Entry Team
Sales Manager	Manages turnover of project to Program Manager Ensures order is placed
Program Manager	Assumes project responsibilities Begins assembling project team
Project Engineers	Prepares bill of materials
Order Administration	Coordinates the order through manufacturing, test and delivery
Implementation Team
Sales Manager	Ensures coordination of activities and knowledge sharing. Performs QA activities.
Program Manager	Manages day-to day activities Produces status reports Resolves issues and change requests
Expediters	Ensures radio is built to customer’s specifications Tests equipment for customer’s operating environment
Field Engineers	Ensures that services comply with industry, customer, and corporate standards and practices Plans, installs and optimizes microwave paths Performs site surveys Verifies design
Project Engineers	Prepares equipment list Completes drawing and layouts as needed
Installation Supervisors	Coordinates activities with customer Monitors installation of all equipment Responsible for field acceptance testing

Project Planning and Tracking
Project planning and tracking will continue throughout the project. Primary project planning begins with development of an initial project plan and continues with its refinement at the start of each project phase.

Field engineers and installation supervisors will develop the initial project plans for their location and refine them as the project continues. As each phase ends, the project plan for the next phase will be modified if necessary, based on the previous phase.

Project plan reviews are designed to synchronize activities at all sites. Discussion of project plan changes during regularly scheduled status meetings help maintain coordination and provide progress reports, with special attention to activities on the critical path.


Status Reporting
A project status report is produced weekly for the project with direct input from each of the locations.

Detailed supporting documentation on milestones, current activities, and variance in budget, schedule, headcount, and issues is included. The program manager is responsible for having the status report is ready by the end of the week. A weekly status conference may be called to help coordinate activities and resolve issues.


Issue Management
The issue management process is designed to formally address and resolve matters like those arising from functional scope questions, conflicting business requirements, new business requirements, and conflicting design solutions. The process typically includes the following steps:

• Identification
• Review/Approval
• Distribution/Resolution
• Communication
• Issue management alsoapplies to implementation and testing efforts.

As issues develop, they will be identified and analyzed. Those not immediately resolved are assigned to the appropriate team member.


Change Requests
Change requests may be identified at the different sites. The team reviews and determines the impact of change requests. Change requests must then be approved and prioritized for inclusion in the system or as a separate cost or project. If the change request is to be included in the implementation, it is submitted to the program manager.