Communications Must Run 24/7/365

Service providers, call center operators, large and small enterprises and even the individual customer wouldn't have it any other way. Indeed, makers of high-end telco equipment must offer proof of tested compliance with the super-strict comprehensive electrical and mechanical criteria for telephone-related equipment, referred to as the NEBS (Network Equipment-Build System) standards, before any such computer equipment can be installed in the PSTN as an adjunct applications processor. Because many telecommunications companies use NEBS-compliance as a prerequisite for product deployment, the certification strengthens a products reputation. For example, any enterprise using mission-critical applications also like NEBs equipment, since NEBS certified machines can take shock, earthquakes, fire, electrostatic discharge (lightning strikes) you name it. The "NEBS Criteria" were originally formulated by Bell Labs in the 1970s, further developed by Bellcore (now called Telcordia) and were made public documents in 1985. Central office equipment manufacturers were the prime target audience back then, but today NEBS compliance has also become the benchmark of excellence for "next-gen" service providers (such as CLECs and ISPs), ASPs, data centers...