Challenge	Web-Based Provisioning Solution	Benefit
multiple activation applications, vendors, and network elements (NEs) causes delays in product rollout and service activation	allows creation/configuration of new service and products open standards-based, flexible architecture provides open interfaces that can fully integrate with existing environments unifies and communicates seamlessly with multiple technology and market domains creates highly adaptable, reusable components with little or no programming requirements	less time required for reengineering due to flexibility and ease of configuration accomodates rapid subscriber growth through scaleability
disparate islands of information and status tracking availability	consolidates service, product, and customer information through a single point of access provides end-to-end view of each order in real time through dynamic summary displays and flow-through statistics	reduces status tracking workload by 25 percent customer-service representative (CSR) able to initiate activation process faster due to higher availability of information
manual of semi-automated steps	automates sequencing of events; ensures activation processes fulfilled completely and on time by generating sequential line items for execution	10 percent increase in orders handled due to improved process and training time accelerates new product rollout by as much as six months

Table 1. Rapid Service Creation 1

Challenge	Web-Based Provisioning Solution	Benefit
differentiate high-priority orders	enables user to queue order processing by due date schedules critical events needed to process orders; schedules activations for future time and date changes queue priority on orders; changes status of submitted service requests expedites critical service requests that are date and time sensitive escalates trouble tickets nearing or past repair due date	escalates orders nearing due date accelerates activation process by scheduling future activation dates decreases average response time for repair requests
ensure completion of service activation requests	provides user interface to repair and retry order that failed during fulfillment notifies appropriate groups of failed service activation and allows query and view of all parameters on work order that failed translation escalates failed order requests	improves activation completions decreases response time to those experiencing failed service activation

Table 2. Rapid Service Creation 2

Challenge	Web-Based Provisioning Solution	Benefit
complex product fulfillment multiple services, products, and bundles new industry initiatives services based on new technologies	flexible architecture allows rapid and standards-based communications with other carriers supports new industry initiatives, such as number portability (NP) and partner carrier transactions supports activation based on newer technologies, such as advanced intelligent networks (AINs), frame relay, and asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL)	reduces number of new applications needed to support new industry initiatives increased customer acquisition and retention due to competitive service offerings simplifies fulfillment process
NP compliance	obtains and converts customer orders that require NP into NP transactions receives ported number information and provisions customer on appropriate NEs	allows multinational carriers to meet different regulatory requirements enables NP compliance by specified date increased revenue for operators
customer control of order process	enables subscribers to check the Web directly for status reports as well as for ordering service application programming interface (API) access to critical provisioning and trouble-management functions	increased customer retention, acquisition, and loyalty eliminates waiting time for customers
slow service	enables work to flow electronically across organization and business entities; provides visibility to company processes and resource utilization	improved responsiveness to customer able to extend hours of operation, leading to increased customer satisfaction

Table 3. High QoS 1

Challenge	Web-Based Provisioning Solution	Benefit
communicate order status information and prioritize orders	reports order status by providing end-to-end tracking of cutomer, network, and product information determines provisioning actions based on analysis of related orders	increase in customer acquisition and retention; greater revenue generation more efficient handling of customer inquiries
troubleshoot existing service-related problems	collects network events and errors and enables notifications; reports on failed service orders obtains service-level agreement (SLA) information on customer account to identify possible SLA jeopardy or violations	able to meet commitment dates by managing pending orders
detect and correct potential service-related problems	determines nature of service degradation and potential SLA violations or jeopardies; sets threshold levels against QoS parameters queries NEs and launches tests through test systems to diagnose and correct problems with service	provides proactive fault management to identify and resolve customer problems before they surface reduces activation and repair cycle time
information updates (requires data duplication)	key steps recorded in industry-standard database; creates service activation history allows system to recover in case of a communication or system failure	high level of data integrity reduces errors and inconsistency in information able to effectively monitor and implement SLA

Table 4. High QoS 2

Challenge	Web-Based Provisioning Solution	Benefit
cost of multiple activation and assurance applications	single platform for all service-related activities, for multiple technology activation, and for support of new industry initiatives unified view of customer, product, and network information	lower operating costs due to replacement of many applications with single platform 20-percent potential increase in total orders provisioned increases present value of product profits by five percent due to 1/2 year potential product deployment acceleration
cost of initial infrastructure investment	modular architecture enables integration to existing systems, so initial setup can be minimal, but ready for future growth accomodates modification and fundamental changes to system associated with changing market	lowers capital costs and expenses by decreasing required investments rapidly adds new sales channels with minimal infrastructure investment
cost of human resources (compensation and training)	end-to-end configuration for multiple services from one application set; can modify attributes, relationships, and interrelated parameters of new services and products with little training high level of automation and ease of use enables plug-and-play capabilities prioritizes flow of administrative requests to the NEs provides Web interface for customers to directly order service and track order status	less need for scarce, costly programming resources reduces training costs reduces CSR, provisioning, and assurance headcount costs by 19 percent
cost of human errors requires data duplication	enables proactive management by allowing carrier to detect and resolve service problems through performance monitoring and audit functions	reduces provisioning and assurance rework by eight percent by closely managing services to ensure accuracy lower fallout management costs

Table 5. Manage Operating Costs and Increase Revenue