Across the telecommunications supply chain, OSS/BSS has solved many problems, but is presenting many challenges looking ahead to the future. Each of the major players in the supply chain is seeking a new approach to OSS, and in each case, there are compelling reasons to do so.
| Service Providers |
In the financially sensitive markets of today, service providers need cost effective OSS/BSS implementations. OSS/BSS systems must automate complex business processes to solve operational issues in the short term, and show rapid returns for the investment. In addition, service providers require a long term strategy for their IT systems. The OSS systems in many carriers today were put together without a long term view, and are now proving difficult to expand to handle the challenge of managing more complex networks, services and automated processes. |
| OSS Software Vendors |
The OSS vendor marketplace has blossomed to over 400 companies. This expansion means that in each market sub-segment, numerous companies are competing for the same business within the service provider community. This competition, along with price pressure from the service providers is driving software vendors to reduce development costs to be profitable. In addition, the OSS marketplace has become a conglomeration of companies who solve niche problems for the service provider. As a result, software vendors must be prepared to fit into the OSS puzzle presented to them by each service provider customer they engage. |
| System Integrators |
While custom integration projects are typically the boon of telecom system integrators, mounting pressure from the service providers to cut costs puts the SIs into a position where they must make their projects more predictable and repeatable – less custom -- to retain margins. System integrators are looking to reuse elements across projects and use less staff to accomplish their end results. In addition, with the large number of software suppliers in the industry and service providers using an ever increasing variation of software components, system integrators are forced to continually learn how to integrate new elements into the service providers IT environments. |
| Network Equipment Vendors |
Equipment Vendors are extremely influential in the world of OSS. Often service providers rely on the management systems from their preferred vendors to do much more than manage their own network elements. And often, equipment vendors see the value in becoming a one-stop-shop for their customers, offering a broad range of OSS solutions. In addition, network equipment vendors are often faced with bidding situations where they are putting their equipment into a pre-existing multi-vendor environment with established OSS. In all these cases, providing NGOSS-based solutions enables the ability to integrate their hardware and systems with third party NGOSS-enabled systems fast and easily, deriving substantial business benefit. |