Many companies make the mistake of thinking that system cost can be based primarily on the system’s acquisition cost. L-3 Telemetry-West solutions focus on the cost and activities of the entire system life cycle. This life cycle includes: "acquisition", "operations", and continued "maintenance/evolution". Systems that focus on only one or two of these are guaranteed to provide inadequate solutions.

A typical system life cycle involves several major components or phases:
 
Acquisition Cost: Initial system procurement cost – includes: Hardware platforms, Software licenses, Non-recurring Engineering (NRE) and customization/development and recurring program management and other “level of effort” costs.
 
Operations Cost: The cost to actually fly the satellite or satellite fleet – includes: operations staff (number of operators, shifts, etc.) and other general support infrastructure.
 
Maintenance and Evolution Cost: The cost to keep the system operating – includes: the ability to add satellites (existing missions & new missions), support for new operational requirements, evolution and support for new software releases and support to deal with hardware/software obsolescence.

L-3 TW ground systems are designed specifically to minimize costs at all major cost points.

 
Acquisition Phase – A scalable and multi-satellite capable architecture reduces the necessary hardware costs and software licenses fees. Applying an architecture that supports “change” and system evolution minimizes NRE and customization effort required to support mission unique requirements.
 
Operations Phase - Integrated graphical user interface simplifies operational use and training costs. The intelligent use of system automation minimizes operations staff requirements and reduces overall mission risk. The fleet capability allows the customer to control more (spacecraft, ground equipment, and/or payload) with less (time, personnel, and effort).

 Maintenance and Evolution Phase - An architecture that supports change makes it easier to evolve the system to meet new requirements and support new satellites/missions. A scalable architecture makes it easy to support new satellites and emerging mission requirements.

InControl provides operators with more flexibility to optimize their workforce. Automation improves operational efficiency — saving money and maximizing spacecraft safety. InControl's auto-install feature, common system-wide user interface, and flexible operations concept minimizes hardware, software, operations staff, training, and system administration costs. As new technologies and business conditions emerge, InControl makes it possible to add satellites, upgrade hardware, and expand software functions. InControl is the low cost, low risk solution to help meet your business plan today… and as it changes in the future.