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Systems Migration that Minimizes Downtime

Gerardo Gardea - DELTA Solutions
Director General

STORY INLINE POST

Wed, 10/19/2016 - 15:49

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Q: What growth opportunities have you identified for the company in the mining sector?

A: DELTA Solutions has been in the market for 28 years and our main product line is focused on radio communications. Mining has always been extremely attractive, the technology has evolved rapidly, and the industry now represents 18 percent of our total sales. The sector demands increasingly potent interior and exterior communications equipment. These days there is a great deal of equipment that mines can use to optimize processes and as a company we have been able to meet the expectations of the mining exploitation segment. We are fortunate enough to receive support from technology providers like Motorola, which provides diagnostics tools for our clients, as well as developing various applications for integrated radio communication. Instead of only voice messaging facilities, radios can now detect issues with operators depending on the length of time a radio remains at a certain angle. Our solutions are capable of finding the exact location of all employees in a mine, and in case of emergency, they can send a mass alert and monitor all further communications. These needs are covered by a wide range of technologies but now innovation carried out by technology providers will allow migration to digital technology to improve mine operations.

Q: Which of your products and solutions have helped your clients maintain strong levels of efficiency while maintaining low costs?

A: The legal and fiscal reforms applied to the mining sector have transformed the operators’ vision and now providers must be aligned with competitiveness, productivity, and high safety standards. To reach these three objectives it is necessary to convince them that communication technology should not be considered as an extra cost but rather as a long term investment. In order to help clients overcome the challenges of systems migration, we offer innovative financial plans that include Motorola’s guarantee of repurchasing analog devices at a decent price, and some leasing alternatives. We have been providers to the mining sector for more than 24 years, catering to the needs of the major mining groups in the country, and we have been able to migrate systems in some of their mines due to our innovative processes, quality technology, and constant certifications obtained from our many partnerships.

Through new lifting technology, we are changing our focus with mining companies. Previously, our relationship with them was based solely on providing quotations, acquisition orders, and product supply. However, given the complexity of the technology we offer, we now provide consulting services and help them realign their focus on communication technologies.

Q: What process do you use to migrate a mine’s communication platforms, and what success is generated from this complexity?

A: The first successful migration we carried out was in a mine in Durango, where we facilitated the migration of more than 600 pieces of equipment simultaneously, and Motorola considers this a global success story. This underground mine operates 24 hours per day and all the analog communications were administered and overseen by an operations center. As a result, it was complicated to precisely control the staff across the facilities as well as manage security issues. The company ran our diagnostics, took out the leasing plan, and was able to complete the migration in the space of three and a half weeks. To help control the number of employees in the mine, our radios include an additional accessory that identifies users and their locations. In terms of productivity, this new radio communications technology doubles the transmission capacity, allowing users simultaneous communication without interference.

Q: What new technologies and solutions can you bring to the Mexican market to help the industry?

A: When analog to digital communications migration reached the market, Motorola allowed international developers to modify the source software in order to improve results. The applications we use for mining operations came from a Russian software company called Turbonet, and we believe this platform is ideal for mining operations. DELTA Solutions is in constant communication with this provider to share and apply client feedback from the actual users. Our radios can also detect explosive risks, monitor the vital signs of the operator, and identify leaks to avoid gas explosions. As well as radio communications, which represent 65 percent of our sales, we have an Integral Security department that focuses on CCTV, access control, fire prevention, and alarm systems catering exclusively to the industrial segment.

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