The Application Framework (TAM) provides a common language for communities who specify, procure, design, and sell operation and business support systems, so that they can understand each other's viewpoints.
It is a practical, everyday working guide to position and navigate the complex management system landscape. It is not prescriptive or mandatory; however, it does provide a way to compare current implementations with an idealized approach.
The Application Framework breaks out functional areas for Fulfillment, Assurance, and Billing, including:
- Customer Management
- Service Management
- Resource Management
- Supplier/Partner Management
- Enterprise Management
The Application Framework uses common industry language and builds on TM Forum Frameworx, particularly the Business Process Framework (eTOM) and the Information Framework (SID). It also recognizes managed resources, including network-based resources, content servers, Intelligent Network platforms, and related network control technologies (such as element management systems), as well as the management applications infrastructure fabric (e.g., bus technology or business process management engines).
The Application Framework provides a business requirements and solution design perspective for applications that are built or procured by the enterprise and allows a company to advance their insight into the design and implementation of management solutions.
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The Application Framework is divided into seven horizontal layers—consistent with the Information Framework (SID). It is also divided into four vertical columns—consistent with the Business Process Framework (eTOM). Each box on the map represents a level 1 application such as Customer Order Management or Bill Calculation. The Framework is further decomposed into lower levels of functionality.
The list of all available decompositions can be found in the Application Framework document GB929. |