To support the delivery of next-generation services, and to improve the competitive advantage and profitability of their current offerings, service providers are looking to bridge the gap between traditional, circuit-switched voice networks and emerging, convergence-oriented technologies.
Industry standards and frameworks, such as Enhanced Telecom Operations Map (eTOM) and ITIL®, are playing an increasingly significant role in how service providers manage information technology and develop a comprehensive strategy. In addition, New Generation Operations Systems and Software (NGOSS) initiatives are critical to enable the transformation of provisioning, activation, monitoring and billing solutions to support next-generation services.
IBM is an active member of the Telemanagement Forum and other industry organizations, providing strategic leadership and guidance to help service providers improve the management and effectiveness of operation support systems and services for our customers and the industry.
IBM provides support for the standards that are shaping today's service provider market, including eTOM and ITIL, to enable service providers to leverage OSS as competitive advantage and maximize new market opportunities.
eTOM
The Enhanced Telecom Operations Map (eTOM) is a business process framework developed by the Telemanagement Forum (TMF) for use by service providers and others within the industry to guide the definition, development, procurement and development of Operation Support Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS). The Telemanagement forum is a non-profit global organization that provides leadership and guidance to improve the management and operation of information and communication services.
IBM is an active member of the TMF, and Tivoli Netcool solutions enable service providers to utilize the eTOM framework and improve operational efficiency by streamlining business processes and strategically aligning technology and operations with business objectives.
For example, IBM holds an advisory TMF Board Member position, and has been active in the effort to publish TeleManagement Forum's GB 923 customer-centric SQM/SLA management standards, which have also been accepted by 3GPP. IBM also participates in the OSS/J, which operates within the TMF as a highly focused technical program able to leverage work of the TM Forum programs and technical activities. The OSS through Java Initiative produces a standard set of Java technology-based APIs that support the business and technology goals of the operator and facilitate the end-to-end management of its business processes. It uses a modern, component-oriented architecture and standard-based implementation to ensure vendor neutrality. IBM is a leading contributor to the SQM API Specification within the OSS/J through JSR 210. IBM further supports the TMF through sponsorship of the Service Provider Business Transformation Benchmarking Program, aimed at developing a common framework of metrics that will deliver consistent and accurate intelligence to enable carriers to run their businesses more profitably, identify investment opportunities with the greatest return, and for their partner ecosystem to improve the quality and relevance of their product offerings.
Telecom Italia, a Tivoli Netcool customer and Italy's leading fixed-line and mobile operator, was awarded the TMF's first ever Operational Excellence Award in recognition of the significant business benefits derived through the implementation of an OSS/BSS solution using the TMF framework.
