Allinq Vision #40 - April 2023

Vision

“Innovation is an important core value and we are leading the way with our total solution for digital surveying.”

• Being in control through smart digital surveying

• Terschelling is ready for the new tourist season

• Erik Dekker professionalises Allinq Continental Cycling team

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Being in control through smart digital surveying

12

Glasfaser Nordwest finds a reliable partner in Allinq

6 Terschelling is ready for the new tourist season

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Erik Dekker director Allinq Continental Cycling team

10 Installation of fiber optics based on current

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Allinq is preparing for the future

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Innovative lifting hoist makes the impossible possible

KPN infrastructure

More for the world

Together with you and other professionals, we have done much work in recent years. The glass density of the Netherlands is at least 60%, with more than 4.5 million connections to 8 million homes, and the fixed network is one of the best and fastest in all of Europe. An achievement that we as an industry can be really proud of. After all this success, do we just sit back and enjoy? Of course not!

In recent years, we at Allinq have pioneered, played and tested to see how we can do even more for the world with our knowledge, experience and drive for innovation. Moreover, for ourselves, as Allinq employees tend not to enjoy sitting still.

First of all, we can certainly use everything we learned in the Netherlands to help other countries build great fiber optic networks. The same game, with a different culture, soil, and market as a fun challenge. With our branches in Germany and Denmark, we are making good progress with local professionals, as can be read on page 12 of this Vision.

In addition, we help our customers with advanced techniques such as Smart Asset Management, digital twinning, VR, AR, and inventions such as digital surveying (page 4) to manage their fiber optic network smartly. For example, the combination of data and sensors can predict problems, 3D asset models can help make sound choices, AR glasses are ideal for remote on-site support, and digital surveying captures everything underground much better. In this way digitization really serves professionals.

However, perhaps the biggest eye-opener is that we can also help other industries with everything we have in-house. With practical things such as the lifting hoist on the back of this Vision, but also by really helping to build, such as strengthening the energy network.

This is an important task that we are happy to handle with our skills, knowledge, experience, drive, resources, and inventions! Have you got a challenge that could benefit from a dose of Allinq? Feel free to let us know, we like to be challenged!

Wim Beukers Managing Director

“However, perhaps the biggest eye-opener is that we can also help other industries with everything we have in-house.”

Being in control through smart digital surveying

Laying fiber optic cables underground is precision work. Allinq introduces a solution that accurately records where and at what depth pipes have been laid. The excavation team simply scans the area where the cable has been laid with a mobile phone or tablet. The data is then processed in a 3D platform, in other words, a three-dimensional map. This digital surveying solution In Control offers a broad range of information.

By surveying the trench digitally, it is known exactly where the cables are and at what depth. “We speed up the surveying process and show our customers quickly and easily what we deliver,” says Hessel van der Bij, Product Owner at Allinq. “It is pleasant for all parties involved to visualize production in this way. This not only provides many advantages during construction but also in the future for the service process and the realization of later connections.”

Record in the land register

An incredible amount of cables and pipes from various suppliers lie underground. All gas, water, and electricity connections in the

Netherlands are recorded in a land register. “Parties planning to dig a trench must notify the Cables and Pipelines Information Center (KLIC),” says Hessel. “By surveying cables, contractors can work safely and damage to networks can be prevented as much as possible.”

Three-dimensional world

So far, surveying cables has been done manually or by an external party. “With In Control, the excavation team can easily record the fiber optic cables themselves when the trench is open,” explains Jalbert Landwaart, Operational Product Manager at Allinq. “This approach and method has many advantages. The digital

measurement of the location of the cables is done accurately so that we get a good picture of the situation underground. In addition, we have the burden of proof to governments and clients about the work performed. We can also add other relevant information, such as photos, specific features, plans, maps, and building details. This creates a very complete platform: a three-dimensional world full of data. Moreover, we can find cables and pipelines underground more easily and quickly in the event of a malfunction than on separate photos, sketches, or drawings.”

Underground infrastructure

In Control works with LiDAR scanning and creates a 3D model of reality. This 3D model shows all kinds of useful data about the location of the cables, such as depth, length, and ground cover. Knowledge about the soil cover is valuable, because digging through the verge, for example, is easier than through tiles or pavers. The depth and length determination are very accurate and provide an extremely accurate picture of the underground infrastructure. In addition, In Control offers much more information. The visual recording is therefore a huge improvement and progress compared to sketching the situation or surveying with a GPS stick. With this last technique, Allinq is dependent on third parties. The surveying requires a high degree of complexity and is often performed by an external surveying service. If civil teams no longer have to coordinate the surveying with third parties and can do it themselves from now on, this will save a lot of time.

Testing internally

“In 2021, the idea arose to develop our own app and platform for smart digital surveying,” says Jalbert. “It’s amazing how far we’ve come! The technology runs as desired and we process data into accurate digital drawings. Internally, we are fully testing the app before we launch it on the market and start using it with our customers. In Control gives us more flexibility and scalability for the future.”

Easy in use

Allinq’s civil employees will incorporate digital surveying into their daily work process. “We therefore put a lot of time and energy into the user-friendliness of the app,” says Hessel. “The app is simple and easy to use,” adds Jalbert. “You scan the location of the fiber optic cables, upload the recording and it appears on the platform. This gives you more insight into what you are doing, you are independent of third parties and you will spend less time looking for the right drawings or distribution points in the future. You are therefore in control! Colleagues are even so enthusiastic that they have ideas to expand the app.” One of those ideas is to first check the result before sending the recording. Suppose you have forgotten to film part of the trench, then you can make a new recording. Other wishes include adding a separate field for comments, announcements, or extra photos. Allinq immediately takes this feedback from the field into account.

More control over the implementation

Allinq closely monitors developments. “Innovation is an important core value and with our total solution for digital surveying we are at the forefront,” says Hessel proudly. “The developed application is a springboard for further digitization of construction processes. If our civil employees perform digital surveying with the app every day, they will have a better view of the progress of production. We spend less time on administration, which means we can deliver areas to our customers faster. In short, we gain more control of the implementation.”

Valuable information

“This is only the beginning of what we are developing with In Control”, Jalbert concludes. “Our primary goal was to realize a method that makes surveying the trench faster, more accurate, and easier. The app offers a broad range of valuable information. We will be expanding and perfecting the product step by step so that we can continue to serve our customers optimally.”

So far, surveying cables has been done manually or by an external party. With In Control, the excavation team can easily record the fiber optic cables themselves when the trench is open.

Through our app In Control, a PointCloud is created of the excavated route.

This PointCloud is processed in the aerial photo. The result is a clear dashboard of the excavated route.

Since November, Allinq has been working on a unique project to connect the Wadden Island of Terschelling to fiber optics. Working across the sea requires good planning and improvisation skills. Frank van Doorn and his team are up to the challenge. In pleasant cooperation with client Glaspoort and many other parties, Allinq ensures that the islanders and entrepreneurs get a solid internet connection, just in time for the tourist season.

The main cable from the mainland is already present, and Allinq is installing the fiber optic on the island. This concerns a total of approximately 4,700 connections. Not only residents are connected, but also campsites, holiday homes, and businesses. According to Frank, they are eagerly awaiting these developments. “Internet usage has increased considerably on the island, partly due to the many business internet transactions between entrepreneurs and their customers and suppliers. As a result, the current network becomes overloaded during peak periods, which leads to disruptions when watching television, placing orders online, and all other online communication traffic. Therefore, both residents and entrepreneurs have a great need for faster and more reliable internet.”

Knowhow

Frank has a lot of experience in managing large fiber optic projects. That know-how comes in handy in this project, because projects on the Wadden Island are more complex than projects on the mainland. For example, Allinq had to find employees who wanted to stay on the island during the week and arrange accommodation for them. The supply and transport of materials on an island are also a challenge. “You can't go to a supplier quickly to get extra materials, so proper planning is very important,” explains Frank. “It is good that I know the island well. In my student days, I worked in the hospitality industry and I still go there two or three times a year in my spare time.”

One of the aspects of the island that appeals to Frank and his team, is the geniality. “The residents of Terschelling are very grateful. For example, they bring nice treats when the workmen are working in

their neighborhood. And if they are inconvenienced by our work, they kindly address our people on the street, so that they can solve it immediately. Our boys appreciate that geniality enormously. Conversely, they are also happy to lend a helping hand to residents, for example when they have difficulty walking and need support to reach their homes over the temporary gangways.”

Residents are being well-informed about the progress of the project. For example, recently, they could attend the provider days. In addition to information about the various internet providers they can choose from, they also received information about how Allinq is progressing with the installation of the cables.

Cross-fertilisation

For three years, Frank has also been leading a major project to connect the city of Groningen to fiber optics. On Terschelling, he benefits from the knowledge and contacts he has gained there. For example, the municipality helped him find a project leader for civil work on the island. “That cross-fertilisation is great,” he says enthusiastically. “With my team in Groningen, I will be visiting Terschelling again, so that the teams can learn from each other, for example how to work as smartly as possible at a busy intersection or on a hard surface.”

In the meantime, the team on Terschelling is working hard to get all the work done on time. Frank is very happy about this commitment: “I am proud that we are able to do so much work in a short period of time and that we do it very carefully. Once the cables have been laid, we will deliver the paving neatly. For this, we receive a lot of

“The residents of Terschelling are very grateful.”

“I am proud that we have managed to do so much work in such a short time.”

An unusual fiber optic project

Terschelling is ready for the new tourist season

appreciation from the municipality of Terschelling and the residents. I also receive compliments from colleagues who come over to have a look at what we’re doing.”

Thinking in possibilities

According to Frank, what helps enormously in the challenging project is the helpfulness of the many partners. “The helpfulness on the island is very energetic. Everyone thinks in terms of possibilities,” he says. For example, he praises the good and intensive contact with the municipality of Terschelling. “In order to dig long sections of trenches, we can now also start digging on Saturdays, so that we can make considerable progress. In addition, the municipality plays an important role in contact with residents and businesses. At a few addresses for which permissions were still lacking, we can now realise the connections.”

The team also benefits in many other areas from organisations that think along well. Pipes have been laid together with Verkley, the company that lays cables and pipelines on the island for the energy transition. The route has been coordinated with Liander, the operator of the energy grid. There is good consultation about the dune and heath area with Staatsbosbeheer and Waterschap Friesland. And local contractors share their know-how about the subsurface and supply additional materials where necessary and possible. Last but not least, the team reaps the benefits of good internal cooperation at Allinq, such as with the FttS department that takes care of the maintenance of the transmission masts on the island.

Tight schedule

The project requires a tight schedule that Frank keeps a close eye on. Preparations for the project started in the summer of 2022 and Allinq started the civil works in November. The initial plan contained approximately 4,400 connections. Due to a later decision to also

include the holiday parks, this number eventually expanded to around 4,700. “For Allinq, that also meant going back to the drawing board to make the necessary adjustments to the technical drawings,” says Frank. He is now doing everything possible to finish the civil work on the street by the end of April. “Around May the tourist season starts on the island with many cyclists and walkers. Opening up the streets in this period is something that we want to avoid.” By the end of December, it is expected that all house connections will be completed.

The project in numbers

• Allinq realizes 4,700 connections.

• The new network consists of 550 kilometers of cables.

• On peak days, the team works with up to 80 people at the same time.

• A total of approximately 120 employees are involved in the planning and implementation.

“Around May the tourist season starts on the island with many cyclists and walkers. Opening up the streets in this period is something that we want to avoid.”

Allinq is very happy and proud that former cycling professional Erik Dekker has started as director of the Allinq Continental Cycling team in 2023. Dekker was a professional cyclist from 1992 to 2006 and sports director of the Rabobank team until 2016. He now has his own company in cycling events. It is now also up to him to further professionalise the passionate Allinq cycling team. He enthusiastically shares more about his role and expectations.

Why did you take on this challenge?

I became acquainted with this team through my son, who was a sports director last year but has now made the move to the WorldTour team of Team DSM. Last year, I also organised a cycling event for business relations for Allinq with my own company. Just before Christmas, they asked me if I wanted to take on this role as director. Although I was immediately enthusiastic, I wanted to discuss it with my partner first. I have now started the job with great pleasure. I think it is a wonderful challenge to further professionalise this team, in which my experience as a professional cyclist and team leader will undoubtedly come in handy.

What is your primary role?

My focus is on intensifying and streamlining contacts with sponsors. In this way, I want to ensure a good foundation for the future and create the preconditions to become the best Continental team in the Netherlands. I also think it is important that the team members are well aware of the relationship with the sponsors. Sponsors want to see commitment. It's about a win-win.

What kind of team are you in charge of?

We have a mix of young talents and experienced cyclists. That's a nice mix for the competitions we're riding. We mainly race in the Netherlands and Belgium. The wind is often an important factor and requires a lot of strength. The experienced riders are well-trained in this and the young riders will continue to grow this skill. This takes time and proper guidance.

In the following period, I will get to know the cyclists better and better. A good start is our upcoming training camp in Spain, in preparation for the first races in March. Sports manager Marc Zonnebelt accompanies the men whilst cycling, but I also cycle with them every day. It is a great way to get a better picture of the capabilities and characteristics of the team and individual cyclists. We started with great enthusiasm and look forward to a wonderful season, starting with the traditional opening competition Craft Ster van Zwolle on March 4th and the great multi-day Olympia's Tour from March 22nd to March 26th.

What do you think about Allinq being your main sponsor?

I am really happy about that. It stems from the sponsorship of Wielervereniging de IJsselstreek, a cycling club in Harderwijk. I think it is commendable that Allinq is taking part in this 'project' to further professionalise this team in the third division. Together we are now enthusiastically working towards achieving that goal.

Can readers of Allinq Vision come and watch a race?

That is certainly possible. Everyone is welcome to come to one of the competitions where the team is participating. We like to show partners of Allinq what we do and like to make them enthusiastic to support this great team as well. If desired, we can also add a bicycle tour to it for a richer experience!

“I think it is a great challenge to further professionalise this team”

About the team

Sixteen cyclists battle for the win at UCI Continental level. Allinq Continental Cyclingteam is a Dutch cycling team that was founded in 2022 and has its origins in the Veluwe. The team wants to challenge itself, innovate, push boundaries, and grow (internationally). This means that the team shares the same values as Allinq.

In 2022

• achieved 8 victories

• finished in the top three 9 times

• competed in 10 countries

Allinq pioneer in Brownfield:

Using the existing Fiber infrastructure for new Fiber to the Home (FttH) connections? It is possible. On behalf of KPN, Allinq is responsible for these Brownfield connections for the whole of the Northern Netherlands. A unique assignment, says Harry Selles.

“We do the entire implementation: the preliminary investigation, the testing of the connections, the installation of the street cabinet, the construction of the feeder, the installation of the equipment in the district exchange and street cabinet, the house connections, and the management and maintenance. That's unique. Other companies only have part of that expertise in-house,” says Harry. He is ultimately responsible for this assignment at Allinq and in this article takes us along in this pioneering adventure.

Greenfield versus Brownfield

Where first new fiber optic cables were installed everywhere, Allinq now uses the cables that are already in the ground. Harry: “With Greenfield everything is newly constructed, while with Brownfield you build on the existing assets. Reusing the infrastructure, such as pipes and glass fibers, is more sustainable and cheaper. Tests showed that you can use the existing, so-called backhaul network for the construction of a new optical aggregation point (OAP), the street cabinet from which the various households are served.”

Pilots

Because the Brownfield approach is new, Allinq started three pilot projects in the east of the Netherlands, in the villages of Hoog Soeren, Hoenderloo, and Klarenbeek. The first challenge was to test the routes. Harry mentions Hoog Soeren as an example: “If we could also provide the OAP in Hoog Soeren from the existing fiber optic cable from Apeldoorn-West to Hoog Soeren, we could provide all 136 households there with FttH. The test showed that the fibers in the route from Apeldoorn-West to Hoog Soeren met the attenuation standard and that all signals were positive for the roll-out.” The roll-out consists of four phases: placing the street cabinet, laying the feeder up to the street cabinet, equipping the equipment in the street cabinet with the correct splitters, and laying the fiber optic cables up to the house.

Harry looks back on the beginning with satisfaction. “We started the Brownfield project in November 2021. A year later, the test phase has largely been completed and we can make progress with the construction of OAPs. In the meantime, more than a hundred routes have already been tested and are ready for roll-out.”

Weekly meeting

Harry is happy with the good cooperation with client KPN and competitor VolkerWessels Telecom, which is responsible for the connections in the south of the Netherlands. Every week they have constructive meetings. “In the Netherlands, there is not only a great demand for fast internet, but also for the construction of charging stations and solar panels, for example. This puts considerable pressure on civilian capacity. We are therefore constantly investigating how we can make work processes smarter.”

Flywheel effect

Pioneering pays off in a flywheel effect. More and more rural areas in the Netherlands are now also connected to fiber optics. In five years' time, fast internet will be commonplace in almost all of the Netherlands, Harry expects. And then? “At Allinq we don't have to sit and wait,” he laughs. Naturally, management and maintenance are necessary, but technology does not stand still either. “Employees work passionately on innovations every day in our beautiful lab. Innovations to further improve the telecom industry above and below ground.”

“We are constantly looking into how we can make work processes smarter.”

“With Brownfield you build on the existing assets”

Glasfaser Nordwest finds a reliable partner in Allinq

Glasfaser Nordwest aims to connect 1.5 million customers in the provinces of Bremen, Lower Saxony, and northern North Rhine-Westphalia to the fiber optic network by 2030. Allinq assists Glasfaser Nordwest in achieving this goal. Sven Kesten, who is responsible for the expansion of the telecommunications infrastructure within the management of this project, is happy to talk about the collaboration between Glasfaser Nordwest and Allinq.

North Rhine-Westphalia

Bremen

How long has the collaboration with Allinq been going on and how did it come about in the first place?

We have a rather ambitious goal to connect 1.5 million people to the fiber optic network by 2030. Private households as well as companies. We need operational partners who execute our plans reliably and on schedule. We were actively looking for partners at the time and ended up at Allinq. In any industry, word of good work spreads quickly. We then started our first project in 2021. Our requirements were met perfectly, because we were looking for a partner who, as an experienced general contractor in the telecommunications sector, would take over the entire handling of current projects according to our specifications. And that is precisely what Allinq specializes in. After the first pilot, it was immediately clear to us that we would also tackle the next project together.

In which areas does Allinq support Glasfaser Nordwest?

You could say: in all areas. Because Allinq acts as the main contractor in the projects. We specify an area where the fiber expansion should take place and Allinq takes care of the 'rest': planning, communication with the local authorities, material purchase, civil engineering work, infrastructure installation, blowing in of the fiber optic cables, documentation, and much more. These are so-called turnkey projects. As a customer, we receive “turnkey”, operational FttH networks that exactly meet our requirements.

What do you particularly appreciate about the collaboration with Allinq?

The most important thing for me is a fixed contact. In our case that is Marco Klein Paste. That makes a huge difference in such complex projects. If someone on the other side is always well informed and thinks along with you, everything goes much easier and ultimately more efficiently. Yes, and of course, there is extensive experience in the broadband sector and the complete package of services that Allinq offers. That inspires me and helps our company enormously. A few figures: In 2022, Allinq installed 61 km of fiber optic network for us. In 2023 it will be more than 100 km.

What can you say about the joint future of Glasfaser Nordwest and Allinq?

There will certainly be a future. Because we are currently working on a framework agreement that should define the long-term cooperation. There are always two parties in a partnership. And if both are feeling comfortable with it, nothing stands in the way of collaboration. We still have a lot to do before 2030 and need a lot of help with this.

What do you hope to see from Allinq with regard to the future?

A simple but important wish: that the Allinq team will always represent us, Glasfaser Nordwest, with the responsible municipalities and further perfect compliance with construction schedules.

Allinq is preparing for the future

Innovation is always a priority on Allinq's agenda. While the company is busy with fiber optic projects in the Netherlands and abroad, it is also preparing for the future.

"In addition to the construction of the fiber optic infrastructure, we can also be of great value for the energy transition."

CEO Wim Beukers and COO Klaas Talma talk about the plans of Allinq for the future. About the expansion of fiber optic activities abroad, about the contribution they can make in the construction of charging stations and heating networks, among other things, and about the rapid developments in digitization that the company uses to serve customers even better.

Rolling up our sleeves

Wim enthusiastically talks about the progress they make with the installation of fiber optics in the Netherlands. “We have to roll up our sleeves because the telecom sector wants to accelerate.” For example, good coordination with governments and other operators is important, adds Klaas. “Municipalities want to dose the work on the streets so that residents experience as little inconvenience as possible. The growing demand for infrastructure for sustainable energy, for example, is already having an impact on our fiber optic projects. Together we, therefore, have to look closely at the planning and make clear agreements.”

Allinq is also very active abroad, including the installation of fiber optics in Germany and Denmark, where many projects are also planned in the coming years. According to Wim and Klaas, every country brings its own challenges. In order to properly meet these different needs, Allinq invests a lot in knowledge building.

In Germany, the installation of fiber optics has been initiated in small steps from small-scale local initiatives. Due to its large size, the country still has a lot of work to do. An additional challenge is the surface. That requires a lot of effort during the excavation work, says Klaas. In Denmark, the installation of fiber optics is well-advanced.

The support from Allinq played an important role here. “Telecom companies are used to doing a lot of arranging work themselves and outsourcing work to several companies. Now they can come to us for design, construction, and maintenance. This total service package is very much appreciated,” says Wim.

Assistance to the energy market

Back to the Netherlands. Just like in Denmark, the fiber optic infrastructure in the Netherlands is largely finished. Meanwhile, the country faces a major new challenge. In 2050, the Netherlands only wants to use energy from sustainable sources. This means that there is work to be done, because all charging stations, solar panels, wind farms, and heating networks require a major expansion of the energy network. Allinq can also be of great value for this infrastructure, Wim says. “The construction of that energy network shows many similarities with the construction of fiber optic networks. The work largely corresponds to the design, construction, and logistics. In addition, we have a great deal of in-house knowledge of the market, because many of our employees have experience in the energy sector. We are therefore now preparing to provide services to the energy market and look forward to contributing to this important goal.”

“The installation of that energy network shows many similarities with the installation of fiber optics.”

Facts & Figures digital services

In 2022 we developed a multiplayer VR demo, in which we virtually show our services.

That same year, we scanned 2,300,000 square meters of assets and processed them into digital twins.

Last year we also installed 2,000 sensors with which we collected half a billion records of data.

Innovation lab

Allinq has set up a beautiful experimental environment for working on innovations: Allinq Labs. Here, a multidisciplinary team translates future trends into current applications. We determine the added value of our services through experiments and prototypes. We often work together with students, partners, and customers. For example, we conduct experiments with aboveground and underground networks, structures, applications, techniques, or technologies. In addition to physical test facilities, we also use virtual and augmented reality.

Digital services

Another development in which Allinq invests a lot of effort is digital services. For example, according to Wim, customers benefit greatly from digital twin technology. He enthusiastically explains the possibilities: “Using scanning techniques and drones, we can make a digital copy of a building or object. This way we can display the asset in detail on the screen. If a transmission tower needs to be adjusted, the digital twin will provide a definite answer in no time as to whether the desired adjustments are possible. At the touch of a button, the customer can see whether it is wise to make an investment or not.” With this modeling technique, Allinq not only wants to serve telecom companies but also companies in other sectors, for example, to help with design choices for company infrastructure or to provide insight into the impact of renovations.

believes that smart asset management offers many advantages. “With sensors, we can monitor customer assets and determine very accurately when maintenance is required.”

Thinking along creatively

Digital technologies also come in handy in Allinq's day-to-day work, says Klaas. “By digitally surveying routes for the fiber optic network, we can work very accurately and efficiently, even if, for example, adjustments are needed in the network at a later time.” He also

In short, lots of dynamics at Allinq. Proper implementation of all these developments is only possible with a team of ambitious, driven employees who work together to provide a good service to all customers, both Wim and Klaas emphasize. Allinq pays a lot of attention to good internal cooperation and that is paying off, says Wim. “People like to work for us. Many employees have been with us for a long time and colleagues regularly contribute people to recruitment. People can develop further within the company in various areas and we invest greatly in a good corporate culture. With new developments, for example, we think it is important that everyone can provide their vision. We like to see everyone thinking along creatively and invite everyone to do so. These are all ingredients that make us a close-knit team.”

“At the touch of a button it becomes clear whether or not it is wise to make an investment.”

“People can develop further within the company in various areas.”

Innovative lifting hoist makes the impossible possible

It seemed like an impossible task: moving very heavy FttH equipment in street cabinets from top to bottom, while all connections continue to function. Nevertheless, Allinq managed to do this. Together with students from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, we developed an innovative lifting hoist. Approximately 700 devices have now been successfully relocated.

Preventing malfunctions or outages

“Moving of equipment usually takes place at night,” says Marcel Kleinveld, field engineer at Allinq. “The equipment then temporarily switches off, we disconnect all cables and manually lift the empty casing out of the cabinet. We can prevent the risk of network failures or outages with this approach as the economic consequences of this are incalculable.”

Accepting the challenge

“However, things turned out differently this time,” Paul Vennix, development engineer at the Allinq innovation and development department, explains. “Moving the equipment had to be done during the day while they keep running. We do not shy away from challenges, which is why we immediately accepted this request.” Groups of students from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences set to work in Allinq Labs. The teams consisted of various areas of expertise, such as mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering, and industrial product design. Together they tackled the challenging task: coming up with a solid solution to move heavy equipment without disconnecting cables. The equipment is high and tight in the rack and is too heavy to lift. Moreover, this is not permitted under the Working Conditions Act. The crossfertilization between the various disciplines resulted in many good ideas. The lifting hoist came out on top.

Tailor-made

“We then further developed an existing hoist and tailored it specifically to our activities,” explains Paul. “It is a kind of hand truck with an electric motor that we use to move the flap up and down. The speed of the lifting hoist has been adjusted so that we can slowly lower the equipment. The flap has also been made longer so that it can handle more weight. The support at the top ensures that the device is stable and can descend in a controlled manner.”

Dexterity and precision

Allinq succeeded in realizing the innovative hoist in a short time. The lifting hoist was extensively tested and tried out beforehand. “Operating the lifting hoist requires dexterity and precision,” says Marcel. “We practiced a lot to get the hang of this. One person carefully operates the hoist, while another guides the fiber optic connections so that no cables get stuck.”

Relocating successfully

In the meantime, all devices, about 700 units, have been successfully relocated. The customer is satisfied and the duos have worked well together. Paul: “We can now also use the lifting hoist for other customers if movements are necessary during the day and the networks have to continue to run.”

The lifting hoist