Many companies make the mistake of thinking that system
cost can be based primarily on the system’s acquisition cost.
L-3 Telemetry-West solutions focus on the cost and activities of the
entire system life cycle. This life cycle includes: "acquisition", "operations",
and continued "maintenance/evolution". Systems that focus
on only one or two of these are guaranteed to provide inadequate solutions.
A typical system life cycle involves several major components or phases:
Acquisition Cost: Initial
system procurement cost – includes: Hardware
platforms, Software licenses, Non-recurring Engineering
(NRE) and customization/development and recurring
program management and other “level of effort” costs.
Operations Cost: The cost
to actually fly the satellite or satellite fleet – includes: operations
staff (number of operators, shifts, etc.) and other general support infrastructure.
Maintenance and Evolution Cost: The
cost to keep the system operating – includes: the ability to add
satellites (existing missions & new missions), support for new operational
requirements, evolution and support for new software releases and support
to deal with hardware/software obsolescence.
L-3 TW ground systems are designed specifically to
minimize costs at all major cost points.
Acquisition Phase – A
scalable and multi-satellite capable architecture reduces the necessary
hardware costs and software licenses fees. Applying an architecture that
supports “change” and system evolution minimizes NRE and
customization effort required to support mission unique requirements.
Operations Phase - Integrated
graphical user interface simplifies operational use and training costs.
The intelligent use of system automation minimizes operations staff requirements
and reduces overall mission risk. The fleet capability allows the customer
to control more (spacecraft, ground equipment, and/or payload) with less
(time, personnel, and effort).
Maintenance and Evolution
Phase - An architecture that supports change makes
it easier to evolve the system to meet new requirements and support
new satellites/missions. A scalable architecture makes it easy
to support new satellites and emerging mission requirements.
InControl provides operators
with more flexibility to optimize their workforce. Automation improves
operational efficiency — saving money and maximizing spacecraft
safety. InControl's auto-install feature,
common system-wide user interface, and flexible operations concept
minimizes hardware, software, operations staff, training, and system
administration costs. As new technologies and business conditions emerge, InControl makes
it possible to add satellites, upgrade hardware, and expand software
functions. InControl is the low cost,
low risk solution to help meet your business plan today… and
as it changes in the future. |
