Selection of command-and-control consoles for network operation centers (NOCs) traditionally occurs late in the planning and construction phases of a new facility or the expansion/renovation of an existing one. Until recently, off-the-shelf console designs have been employed and have met the needs of most applications.
Technology is driving the need for a new approach to console design. Generic, off-the-shelf templates are no longer viable solutions to meet the demands of today’s secure NOC environments. Because NOCs are 24/7 workplaces, they now require higher performance levels from their consoles.
High-performance console design is an integral element of the overall NOC facility design and will reap productivity benefits when centers are brought on line. The console must be viewed as an integral part of the technology solution, similar to the hardware and software solutions being deployed. When executed correctly, this console perspective positively impacts how each employee interacts with the technology, the enterprise infrastructure, and the rest of the working team.
As technology transition expands its reach within NOCs, the challenge of integrating people, technology, workspace, and workflow becomes increasingly difficult. Architects, designers, engineers, and facility planners need to consider each of these four dimensions as an integral part of the overall operational system and peel back predetermined concepts of traditional console design methodology.