PDF of this tutorial
- Not proprietary, monolithic system
- Interoperable across platforms and networks
- Maximum scalability and location flexibility
A driving force behind the adoption of next generation communications platforms has been their ability to allow operators to quickly and cost-effectively deploy a variety of revenue-generating applications, all from a single architectural source. Utilization of an open-source, Java-based Applications Creation environment makes this high degree of flexibility possible.
Thanks to this design philosophy, operators can create compelling bundles of best-in-class messaging and communications services ranging from basic call answering to forward looking applications like multimedia messaging and presence enabled solutions. To further facilitate the user experience, the next generation communications platform should also provide a web interface for subscribers to add and modify their preferences and features on a “self-serve” basis. This capability increases usage by consumers, improves customer loyalty, and also reduces service provider operating costs through fewer routine service calls.
Ultimately though, it comes down to the applications. Whether native on the platform or sourced from a 3rd party, applications are key to the operator differentiating their service offering. Some of the most highly desirable applications today include:
- Voice Mail – The heart of any messaging solution. Provides subscribers with a variety of features designed around the exchange of voice messages content.
- Missed Call Notification – A natural extension of Caller ID and heavily demanded by wireless operators. Missed Call Notification picks up where Caller ID leaves off. Unlike Caller ID service, which only provides an incoming call number if the wireless phone is on and in the network coverage area, Missed Call Notification provides a continuous, network-based service providing subscribers with the added peace of mind that they will never miss an important call. Now when a subscriber is unable to receive calls, their Missed Call Notification service will capture and store the incoming call information until they become available. At that time, an SMS message containing a list of all missed calls is sent to the subscriber, allowing them to return calls at their convenience.
- Multimedia Messaging – MMS allows subscribers to personalize their communications with up-to-the-minute multimedia content such as photos and music to create messaging that breaks the boundaries of traditional communication. With features like Message Composer, Photo Album and Greeting Cards, subscribers can send and receive dynamic multimedia content on their MMS-capable mobile phones, PDAs and PCs. Subscribers can also send multimedia content to non-MMS subscribers via the Internet, driving traffic to an operator’s website thereby increasing subscriber usage.
- Unified Communications – A complete package of services customized to your subscribers’ needs, including voice, fax and e-mail messaging, a single mailbox for all message types, an integrated address book, and special on-line management and personalization tools.
- Voice-Enabled Messaging Services – Powerful voice-controlled telephony services. Subscribers have access to an array of services through their own personal contact number and an easy-to-use voice interface that features natural language recognition and optional text-to-speech capability. Features common to a Voice Enabled Messaging Suite include navigation of voice mail via spoken commands, voice dialing and a voice controlled address book, delivered on an IP-based architecture compliant with industry standards such as VoiceXML and SALT.
- Voice MMS – Enables subscribers to have greater access and control over their communication channels by allowing newly deposited voice mail messages to be delivered to an MMS-capable handset or e-mail box in the form of an audio clip. Subscribers can also share voice messages via e-mail and to forward voice messages to destinations outside of their voice mail system.
