INTELLIGENT NETWORK ELEMENT SOFTWARE PROCUREMENT AND DELIVERY

摘要

The ability of a telecommunications Service Provider(SP)to effectively manage the deployment of new network equipment has been hampered by the nature of current business processes.Current hardware oriented business processes place organizational and procedural limitations on the speed at which Intelligent Network Elements(INEs)can be efficiently deployed.Effectively managing the procurement and delivery of INE software can significantly reduce operating expenses,and allow SP's to rapidly take advantage of new revenue streams.In making the transition to this new environment,SPs must leverage the capabilities of equipment manufacturers.Software management support organizations,advanced INE features,and data communications technology offer opportunities for simplifying the SP's procurement and delivery processes.These new INE software management processes require an integrated framework that permits the appropriate distribution of software on a global basis.In this paper,we present a communications architecture,and software management support processes that enable an efficient and seamless software management business strategy.This new business strategy will allow SPs to meet emerging market needs,while minimizing internal resources.The proposed network infrastructure is shown to be secure and easily managed from a centrally located control center.The network and corresponding business practices are also shown to be more cost effective than existing capabilities and processes.We also propose a cost ettectlve transition strategy,enabling the movement from today's embedded hardware oriented management processes to software oriented management processes that support cost effective and timely deployment of INEs.