EXFO Certified Service Centers: Putting the customer first
A recent EXFO blog post about calibration and connectors highlighted the importance of calibration to ensure optimal test equipment performance. Because the need for reliable, accurate calibration is so critical to supporting network operations, EXFO has established local Certified Service Centers (CSCs) around the world.
Most of our CSCs are EXFO distributors already familiar with EXFO’s products and solutions, with a small percentage of our CSCs being companies that focus exclusively on repair and/or calibration of telecom equipment. In all cases, EXFO ensures that CSC technicians have proper training and infrastructure, enabling them to perform repair and calibration on a wide array of EXFO products.
That means that all technicians at EXFO’s CSC facilities are EXFO-trained and equipped with EXFO products. To ensure EXFO’s high standards are maintained, auditors visit CSCs to address any questions they might have and to verify high-quality calibration standards continue to be met.
I’ve travelled to EXFO Certified Service Centers in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific and they all have one thing in common: their technicians are passionate about putting customer needs first.
Value provided by regionally located CSCs
With the exponential growth happening in communications networks globally, the ability to avoid downtime by performing calibration and repairs locally can’t be overstated.
There are multiple benefits to customers who rely on their local CSC. First and foremost is the peace of mind that comes from knowing technicians are EXFO-qualified. In many CSCs, not only can technicians perform calibration testing; they can also undertake repairs of EXFO equipment using EXFO parts.
EXFO certified CSCs can also validate calibration records verifying that prescribed calibration schedules have been adhered to, something that can be incredibly important for contractors working with leading service providers. And only EXFO certified CSCs are authorized to change devices’ internal calibration date after having calibrated the product—something third-party repair centers are unable to perform.
Having local EXFO calibration and repair resources can avoid the need to ship products back to EXFO for assessment and repair. In many cases, CSCs can help customers troubleshoot issues and if necessary, will collaborate with EXFO’s technical team for further assistance.
If ultimately products need to be shipped back to EXFO, CSC’s have a wealth of expertise and experience with import/export duties and shipping requirements and can expedite shipping on behalf of the customer.
EXFO’s warranty program provides extended support and, with regionally located CSCs in strategically chosen locations, repairs under warranty can be completed without factory returns. That saves on turnaround time and helps keep customer operations up and running.
Calibration: key to successful deployments and operations
It’s important to be aware of the implications of skipping calibration or using uncertified service centers that can include:
- false positives or negatives in fault detection
- unnecessary replacement of connectors or other components
- extended network downtime due to misdiagnosis
- failure to meet client expectations for network reliability
- lack of compliance with industry standards.
Calibration is not just recommended—it’s critical to ensure seamless operations. Performing calibration testing at prescribed intervals enhances accuracy, extends equipment life, and ensures compliance of equipment in today’s fiber optic networks.
Relying on EXFO’s Certified Service Centers around the world, with service provided by EXFO-trained technicians and using our products exclusively, guarantees the best outcomes possible for calibration and repairs.
