Jean-Luc Spagnol

"Business customers especially are demanding just one interface and just one order," says Jean-Luc Spagnol, OSS solutions manager at Sun."They don't want to put in one order for a GSM service and another for a short message service.But for the telco, such a request will translate into multiple service-activation requests."

The biggest carriers tackle the problem internally; the smaller ones outsource to systems integrators.Either way, it is a costly process, and a lengthy one, which may eventually result in a solution that no longer meets initial expectations.

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"Once a bus is in place, the telco no longer needs to alter each OSS separately," explains Spagnol."They just rewrite some of the rules, and the framework directs operations like the conductor of an orchestra."

The alternative integration strategy takes an architectural approach, rebuilding part of the infrastructure so that it will interwork with the rest.Canada-based Architel is moving to offer this, based on the expansion of its own expertise from service activation to other areas of the network.Last year, Architel acquired a company called Accugraph, whose network inventory product complements its own, and it is now bringing an integration solution to the market based on an amalgam of the two technologies.

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"In its next-generation products, InConcert, for example, is using Corba at the back end as the communications technology for the bus, and using Java at the front end to build adaptors that interface with the bus," says Spagnol."Corba gives you network transparency at the back end and, by using Java at the interface, you make the platform transparent.If you write an adaptor in Java, it will run on HP, Sun, NT or any other platform - you only need write it once."

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"This is a powerful combination for the operator," says Spagnol."Not only are the adaptors written in JavaBeans (which speeds up development time, and offers flexibility and a higher level of reusability), but they can also manage the interfaces dynamically with the JDMK.It will give operators a distinct edge because they can change an application or put a new service on the bus very quickly."

Why JavaBeans?

"Service providers have traditionally updated systems by either creating new applications from scratch or hard-coding the integration among many disparate systems and different platforms.

Business customers especially are demanding just one interface and just one order , says Jean-Luc Spagnol , OSS solutions manager at Sun.They don't want to put in one order for a GSM service and another for a short message service.But for the telco , such a request will translate into multiple service-activation requests..

The biggest carriers tackle the problem internally ; the smaller ones outsource to systems integrators.Either way , it is a costly process , and a lengthy one , which may eventually result in a solution that no longer meets initial expectations.

...
Once a bus is in place , the telco no longer needs to alter each OSS separately , explains Spagnol.They just rewrite some of the rules , and the framework directs operations like the conductor of an orchestra..

The alternative integration strategy takes an architectural approach , rebuilding part of the infrastructure so that it will interwork with the rest.Canada-based Architel is moving to offer this ,-based on the expansion of its own expertise from service activation to other areas of the network.Last year , Architel acquired a company called Accugraph , whose network inventory product complements its own , and it is now bringing an integration solution to the market-based on an amalgam of the two technologies.

...
In its next-generation products , InConcert , for example , is using Corba at the back end as the communications technology for the bus , and using Java at the front end to build adaptors that interface with the bus , says Spagnol.Corba gives you network transparency at the back end and , by using Java at the interface , you make the platform transparent.If you write an adaptor in Java , it will run on HP , Sun , NT or any other platform - you only need write it once..

...
This is a powerful combination for the operator , says Spagnol.Not only are the adaptors written in JavaBeans , but they can also manage the interfaces dynamically with the JDMK.It will give operators a distinct edge because they can change an application or put a new service on the bus very quickly..

Why JavaBeans

Service providers have traditionally updated systems by either creating new applications from scratch or hard-coding the integration among many disparate systems and different platforms.