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WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ – Teamwork and trust among a hands-on workforce are fundamental to managing the operations of the cable landing station (CLS) colocation campus, given the complexity of maintenance and testing needed to connect telecommunications networks with undersea cables.

“When running a CLS and Colocation campus, it is crucial to understand the building and know-how your systems function. You should also not be scared to operate hands-on when needed, especially in an emergency,” NJFX CLS Manager Ryan Imkemeier said.

A Lasting Vendorship

Ryan Imkemeier emphasizes the importance of understanding what vendors are expected to accomplish and validating the maintenance was completed correctly. The vendors at NJFX are all on a maintenance contract schedule and come into our facility on a quarterly or bi-annual basis. This is dependent on the sort of work that must be done.

“I am lucky to have worked in this profession for so long; I see vendors I have known for 15+ years who I trust and who are knowledgeable about the equipment, so I don’t have to worry,” said Ryan Imkemeier, who noted that building a relationship among vendors is critical.

“When I initially began at NJFX, I went out of my way to introduce myself and create expectations for our vendors; generally, you have the same technician come to our CLS to maintain that connection,” Ryan Imkemeier said, “Ultimately, knowing the equipment yourself is critical so that you do not have to rely on vendors.”

NJFX Never Down

To ensure NJFX maintains the reliability to keep signals flowing across networks, the Operations team is in the process of installing an additional phase of electrical distribution. The team is working closely to make sure adding another 500 kilowatts UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) – increasing backup capacity goes smoothly.

The transfer from utility power to generator power takes about 15 seconds, during which time the UPS batteries carry the load, ensuring we maintain our resilience until the generator kicks on transferring the load. This ensures no interruptions of power to NJFX customers during a utility outage.

Ryan Imkemeier said, “Usually, a third-party electrical contractor would complete a project like this. We are better trained by doing it ourselves and are proud of the work being completed. There is no better way of understanding your systems than by installing in-house.”

Working With the Operations Team

Ryan’s experience spans far and wide when it comes to CLS. He has had the pleasure of working for large companies, such as TATA Communications and AT&T, but nothing beats the benefits of a small, smart team.

“The most significant advantage of working with NJFX is that you have a voice. You have the opportunity to share out-of-the-box concepts and run with them. You have full responsibility and the professionals to support and guide, such as Bala (Consulting Engineers), who designed NJFX,” Ryan Imkemeier said.

A smaller company can be beneficial from a managerial standpoint because you can develop interpersonal relationships with your team and learn what strengths they can bring to the table.

“After being in the field for so long, you begin to acquire new talents based on your experiences. When it comes to problem-solving, my team is fantastic,” Ryan Imkemeier said. “We can work together since we have vast knowledge, Kris is generally on the electrical side, Brad is strong in ventilation, heating, and cooling, and I am knowledgeable in the electrical and optical installation and maintenance. The three of us make an excellent Operations team.”

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About NJFX:

NJFX is a Tier 3 Carrier Neutral Cable Landing Station campus. Our colocation ecosystem has expanded to over 35 network operators offering flexibility, reliability, and security. Our Wall, NJ location provides direct access to multiple subsea cable systems giving our carriers diverse connectivity solutions and offers direct interconnection without recurring cross-connect fees.