To help service providers swiftly turn emerging market opportunities into strategic advantages, Dimension Data has launched its integrated Business and Operations Support Systems (iBOSS).
iBOSS capitalises on the explosive growth of Next Generation Operations Support Systems (NGOSSsTM), set to rise from just under $3 billion in 1999 to more than $7 billion in 2004. The systems enable service providers to unleash this potential and combat the threat to traditional voice and bandwidth markets with new value-added services.
With its exemplary track record in the Internet Protocol (IP) and telecoms arenas, Dimension Data is able to offer service providers a paradigm shift away from point-to-point integrated and customised systems. iBOSS will eliminate the problems of lengthy times to market and rigid systems.
The challenges currently facing service providers include the convergence of telecommunications and networking, a sharp increase in mobile data, the move to packet switching and falling margins.
Paul Diepenbroek, Global Sales Manager of Dimension Data Service Provider Solutions, says service providers urgently need the agility to address the rapidly evolving needs of their customers and the flexibility to respond to competitive challenges.
"iBOSS is based on a highly flexible and adaptable architecture, which includes world-leading software applications, to help service providers finely hone their competitive advantage," he says.
Drawing on its experience as pioneer and leader of the TeleManagement Forum (TM Forum) Plug-and-Play Catalyst project, Dimension Data enhanced iBOSS by basing it on a plug-and-play architecture. As a result, iBOSS lowers the integration barriers of time and cost and can be used to implement new, customer-focused services faster.
The Catalyst project combines the strengths of industry leaders in New Generation Network operational systems, including Astracon, Avici Systems, Cisco Systems, CrossKeys Systems Corporation, Daleen Technologies, Harris Corporation, IGS, Orchestream, Portal Software, Sodalia, Telcordia Technologies, Trendium, Visionael Corporation and Vitria Technology.
The iBOSS solution addresses four key areas: customer relationship management (CRM), service fulfilment, service assurance and billing.
The CRM component guarantees service providers a consistent customer interface, resulting in integrated, accurate customer information. In the service fulfilment arena, iBOSS enables customers to create and manage their own services across multiple technologies and network vendors. This capability helps service providers manage the explosive growth of their diverse data-centric networks.
Service assurance enables network problems to be resolved proactively, before they affect customer service. With iBOSS, service providers can maintain service levels through timely response and resolution of problems, thereby achieving enhanced Quality of Service. In the billing environment, iBOSS allows service providers to accommodate the frequent pricing and promotion changes necessary to be competitive.
Service providers may also use Dimension Data`s Global Services Operating Architecture (GSOA) to manage and support their systems.
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Dimension Data Holdings
Dimension Data Holdings plc is a leading global network services and i-Commerce solutions provider, focused on enabling enterprises, telecommunications service providers and new economy companies to communicate and transact effectively in an e-enabled environment.
Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Dimension Data is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. The Group operates in over 30 countries on six continents. It has achieved a two year compound annual growth rate in US dollars of 57% in revenue and 36% in basic earnings per share over the past two years. For more information, please go to www.didata.com.