Field dependability evaluation principles

The overall objective for the dependability assurance of Ericsson's main product, the AXE switching system, is delivery of a product with agreed reliability and maintainability performances, and the provisioning of maintenance support with agreed characteristics. The fulfillment of these objectives is evaluated through monitoring of a set of characteristic measures for quality and dependability during the operations and maintenance phase. The AXE system is in operation in some 70 countries all over the globe. A system for field monitoring thus requires a standardized set of measures and evaluation principles. This standardization is accomplished by a common software tool, DEPEND, used for various dependability calculation needs throughout the product life cycle. The author presents the principles, procedures, and tools used for data collection, registration, storage, and presentation.<
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