Nonvoice calls and increased competition will shape the future of the telecommunications industry. Coping with this new paradigm will become increasingly challenging as providers battle for both customer loyalty and market-share. In this contest, information about the physical plant will be a powerful strategic weapon. Fortunately, the solutions to gather and manage this information are being used by leading-edge service providers today. Stand-alone line test systems are the only way testing can meet all of the requirements of the new nonvoice-testing paradigm. They offer the depth and breadth of testing that providers need in order to achieve their business objectives, including reducing maintenance expenses. These systems will prove especially valuable as the quest for greater productivity and profits increasingly relies on automation, management, and analysis of test data.