AIO Systems: How to reduce opex with ZERO capex while benefitting from a top RMS solution

While the telecom industry moves swiftly towards an era of unmanned, remotely located sites, MNOs and tower companies need partners capable of responding to their growing need for cutting-edge remote management and monitoring solutions. AIO Systems was established to offer telecom companies worldwide next generation solutions to control inaccessible sites, while still delivering excellent RoI.

With over fifteen years’ of international experience in the field, Asher Avissar co-founded AIO Systems with the goal of creating a leading organisation able to offer its clients not only first class products, but also tangible financial benefits.

TowerXchange: Please introduce us to AIO Systems, its offering and footprint.

AIO Systems was established in 2006 by a core team of professionals with many years’ of work experience in the field, who realised there was no comprehensive RMS solution available in the market.

AIO Systems responded to the need for an integrated system to manage remote, unmanned sites in a cost-effective way, while using technologies which enable monitoring, control, management and automated optimisation.

AIO Systems’ solution has sixteen distinct modes of operation, each suited for specific needs, per site and per client. It interconnects with up to 76 elements of equipment on the site, instantly and effortlessly. AIO’s capability to integrate advanced technologies, our thorough understanding of the client’s needs, as well as the human factor of our outstanding operational workforce, make AIO the leader in its field.

AIO Systems has a proprietary solution for in-building which enables management companies to maximise the value of their managed assets. Our solution is the client’s ERP for comprehensive and efficient management of a variety of assets, in a number of optional business models which could prove relevant to the agreements between the tower management companies and their clients.

To date, AIO is active in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America. We started operations in LatAm in 2012 and currently we are in various stage of sales process with seven major clients on that continent.

AIO has installed 48,000 bases worldwide, mostly in the telecom segment but we also have a few patented solutions in other industries such as Oil and Gas, and Smart Grids (Power Utility).

TowerXchange: Who are your main target clients in Latin America?

Our target market segment in LatAm are the tower management companies to which we offer a comprehensive package with significant added value. The variety of convenient deal schemes we are able to offer, combined with the proven track record worldwide, gives clients the confidence to choose AIO as the preferred solution for such critical tasks. However, AIO also offers great value to MNOs, especially in the fields of security and workforce efficiency.

TowerXchange: Explain to our readers your Total Security Solution and what its key advantages are.

AIO’s security solution is designed to handle in excess of a thousand remote unmanned sites. AIO’s challenge is to deliver an affordable, yet professional solution, which will fulfil a variety of security needs.

Distant sites often cannot be allocated the same security solutions as manned indoor facilities. Therefore, AIO offers a controller which, in addition to control and management of infrastructure, delivers access control, video surveillance, alarm and perimeter security as well as triggering active and passive security elements, generating automated alerts to nearby patrols and command centres.

Specifically, the solution consists of three layers of security. The first, external layer identifies intruders near to the site by various security elements such as: external cameras, outdoor motion detectors, beam sensors detecting human presence near the fence surrounding the site. Upon first layer alert, by means of our intelligent access control solution, the system will identify if an unauthorized person is trying to enter the site. The system will take the following actions if it identifies unauthorized entrance: video recording, turning on outdoor lights, automatic voice communication with the NOC to enable direct communication between the command centre and hostile trespassers on site, automated alert sent to nearby security patrols.

Upon intrusion, the internal second layer security circle will be activated by various elements such as: indoor motion detector, magnetic door sensor, shock sensor, spring sensor, fuel-cover sensor, et cetera.  The following security actions will be taken indoors: video recording, pepper spray, high decibel siren, site lights and an urgent alert sent to security patrols. The solution includes visible as well as hidden tamper-proof elements, and is offered in various business models such as long-term service agreements. The price is moderate compared with the benefits to the client.

TowerXchange: Please tell us about AIO Systems’ service model.

AIO offers its clients attractive deal schemes which enable them to benefit from our technology without any capital or budgetary investment. The benefit is not solely financial; in fact, our clients benefit from AIO’s ongoing commitment in the implementation of the system and its related work processes.

Our teams escort the client, hand-in-hand, for 24-48 months to meet their KPIs, and the client pays only for the service - not for the equipment. This type of model is very attractive to many of our clients worldwide, and we are planning to launch it in Latin America as well. Additional models can be discussed with each client to suit their specific needs.

TowerXchange: Please tell us about your Hybrid Management solution. How do you ensure ROI within a few months of its deployment?

AIO’s hybrid solution optimizes energy consumption by automatically choosing between several sources. In order to dramatically reduce power consumption of remote sites, AIO uses alternative sources such as LFP batteries, solar energy, wind turbines, and so on. The system’s algorithms channels maximum energy with minimum cost, and we have achieved results of up to 48% reduction in energy expenses for our clients. With such sharp decrease in expenses, the return on investment for the system can be reached within as little as several months.

TowerXchange: Are hybrid energy solutions in demand in Latin America? Which clients/countries are adopting this model? 

There is a global awareness to carbon footprint and reduction of energy consumption. The environmental issues are gaining momentum, and the costs of energy in operating remote sites are heavy, both in financial terms as well as environmental. In addition, reducing costs of maintenance and prolonging the lifespan of equipment is a major concern in operating large-scale infrastructure. These issues are valid all over the world, as well as in Latin America. Together with the other elements of our solution - AIO delivers its clients significant savings both in the short and in the long term.