How NGOSS Compliance Changes the Integration Game

By Martin Creaner, Vice President and CTO, TeleManagement Forum

OSS vendors' ranks have thinned somewhat during the recent recession. That notwithstanding, there are still hundreds of OSS companies. Each offers a bewildering array of functionality that delivers tangible value-add to their customers at face value. It is in the end-to-end integration of these disparate point solutions, however, that service providers see value disappearing and costs escalating. Only when this integration problem is overcome will service providers be able to automate their business processes to an extent that cuts significant costs and also delivers new services within a competitive market window.

Telecom's Spring Puts OSS on the Spot
No matter how often it happens, people are continually surprised and delighted when the natural cycle of boom and bust turns once more to boom. Like our primitive ancestors awestruck at the coming of spring, to some it is amazing that telecom's winter has ended and the green shoots of spring are upon us. Spring, of course, brings its own challenges.

The entire telecom industry remains highly aware of its recent recession. Service providers must continue to be cost-conscious with capital and operational expenditures, but also must tool up - and be nimble enough - to deliver their customers' complex 21st century services. Service providers need to automate operations, streamline business processes, and prepare to implement and integrate new solutions that help achieve these goals quickly. By delivering on this complex set of needs, OSS can become the key differentiator and enabler for success for service providers who "do it right." This, as a result, puts Operational & Business Support Systems (OSS) directly in the limelight.

Changing OSS Needs and Realities
Each of the three major groups in the OSS supply chain has compelling reasons to seek a new approach to OSS. Service providers, OSS software vendors, and systems integrators all face new constraints and new expectations as they approach the improving telecom market that will directly affect their strategies. Some of the market realities they face are the result of the kind of systems disparity the OSS market must overcome in its next wave.

Service Providers
In today's financially sensitive market, service providers need cost effective OSS implementations. OSS systems must automate business processes to solve operational issues in the short term, and also show rapid returns for the investment. In addition, service providers require a long term IT strategy. Many carriers' OSS systems were put together to solve immediate needs without regard for a long term view. These systems are now having difficultly expanding to handle more complex networks, services and automated processes.

Next »   |   1   |   2   |   3   |   4   |   Subscribe

Send Comment

© 2004, All information contained herein is the sole property of Pipeline Publishing, LLC. Pipeline Publishing LLC reserves all rights and privileges regarding the use of this information. Any unauthorized use, such as copying, modifying, or reprinting, will be prosecuted under the fullest extent under the governing law.