This invention relates generally to business tools and, in particular, to tool and method for operations, management, capacity, and services (OMCS) business solution for a telecommunications network.
Increases in Internet use, web hosting services, electronic-business relationships, and multimedia applications are driving service providers to deploy new technology in local, metro, and wide area networks to meet customers' demands for more bandwidth with specified granularity. These services in today's networks (such as time division multiplexing (TDM), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and frame relay (FR)) can be difficult and costly to operate and manage.
Particularly, new technology alternatives for network architectures are creating critical challenges for the service providers' operations, management, capacity, and services. These technology alternatives comprise Internet protocol (IP), virtual private network (VPN), multi protocol label switching (MPLS), and optical Ethernet (OE), to name just a few. The inter-working and inter-operability between the different technologies create issues within the service provider's network and increase its operating cost.
To keep up with the introduction of the new technology, service providers need tools to compare capital and operating costs of each technology alternatives for their network architectures. Service providers also need tools to quantify the impact of the technology alternatives on their business and revenue.
Additionally, management processes for the new technology are challenging, could be costly, and could limit the service providers' timely delivery of new services to their end users. These management processes comprise network, service, and customer management processes. To reduce management processes cost and enable service providers to select the appropriate technology for their network architectures, the operational expenditure (OPEX) for the management processes must be evaluated for each technology alternatives for the network architectures.
Prior arts offer tools for developing business solution for service provider's network, wherein the operational expenditure (OPEX) for the management processes is estimated as a percentage of expected revenue and combined with capital expenditure (CAPEX). Technology alternatives for network architectures are not considered in the business solution and service providers cannot appreciate the difference between one architecture technology and another. Further, by considering the OPEX as a percentage of revenue, the service providers would not be able to identify the management processes areas for enhancing or reducing their operating cost.
Consequently, there is a need in the industry to provide improved methods and tools for developing business solutions comprising comprehensive analysis of capital and operational expenditures for technology alternatives for network architectures.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an operations, management, capacity, and services (OMCS) tool and method for developing business solutions for a telecommunications network.
The invention, therefore, according to one aspect provides an operations, management, capacity, and services (OMCS) tool comprises a means for analyzing business parameters for a plurality of network architectures; and comparing the business parameters for said network architectures for determining cost savings of one network architecture versus another and for determining a business solution that articulates the network architecture for reducing total expenditure.
The business parameters comprise the total expenditure; and wherein the total expenditure comprises capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX). The CAPEX comprises a network architecture cost; taxes; interests; and deprecation and amortization (D/A) expenses. The OPEX comprises a management processes cost; a leasing cost; and sales, general and administration (SG&A) expenses.
The business parameters further comprise revenue; capacity; return on investment (ROI); earnings before interest, taxes, and deprecation and amortization (EBITDA); earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT); OPEX as percentage of revenue; and total expenditure as percentage of revenue.
The OMCS tool means for analyzing the business parameters comprises means for analyzing the business parameters for a network architecture having one or more of the following technology: TDM, ATM, FR, IP, VPN, MPLS, and optical Ethernet including fiber, synchronous optical network (SONET), resilience packet ring (RPR), and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). This means further comprises a means for computing the business parameters for each of said network architectures over a pre-determined study period.
The OMCS tool means for comparing the business parameters for the plurality of network architectures comprises means for reporting the business parameters for each of said network architectures over said pre-determined study period, wherein the business solution comprises the network architecture with the least total expenditure.
The OMCS tool further comprises means for engineering a plurality of network architectures for a pre-determined input user data; determining a network architecture cost and a leasing cost for each of said network architectures over a pre-determined study period; engineering management processes for managing each of said network architectures; and determining a management processes cost for said management processes over said pre-determined study period. The tool further comprises means for inputting user data; and validating and calibrating the input user data; the network architecture cost; the leasing cost; and the management processes cost for each of said network architectures.
The OMCS tool means for engineering the plurality of network architectures comprises a means for determining an owned network elements (NEs) count; a leased NEs count; an owned customer premise equipment (CPE) count; a leased CPE count; an owned links count; a leased links count; and a leased ports count for each of said network architectures; and wherein said network architectures having NEs, CPE, and links from the same or different equipment suppliers.
The OMCS tool means for determining the network architecture cost and the leasing cost for each of the plurality of network architectures comprises means for determining an owned cost (a price) per network element (NE), a footprint per NE cost, and a power consumption per NE cost; determining an owned cost (a price) per CPE, a footprint per CPE cost, and a power consumption per CPE cost; and determining an owned cost (a price) per link and a link transmission rate.
The means for determining the network architecture cost comprises means for computing a total owned NEs cost; a total owned CPE cost; and a total owned links cost for each of said network architectures over said pre-determined study period. The means for determining the leasing cost comprises a means for computing a total footprints cost and a total power consumptions cost for said NEs and CPE over said pre-determined study period.
The OMCS tool means for determining the leasing cost further comprises means for determining a leased per NE cost, a footprint per NE cost, and a power consumption per NE cost; determining a leased per CPE cost, a footprint per CPE cost, and a power consumption per CPE cost; determining a leased per link cost and a link transmission rate; determining a leased link per unit length cost, a unit length per link count, and a link transmission rate; and determining a leased per port cost. This means further comprises means for computing a total leased NEs cost; a total leased CPE cost; a total footprints cost and a total power consumptions cost for said NEs and CPE; a total leased links cost; a total leased links for unit length cost; and a total leased ports cost for each of said network architectures over said pre-determined study period.
The OMCS tool means for engineering the management processes comprises means for engineering network management processes; and service and customer management processes, wherein said management processes having said processes from the same or different management processes suppliers.
The means for engineering network management processes comprises a means for selecting one or more of the following processes: inside plant maintenance; outside plant maintenance; network engineering; network provisioning; installation; testing; and repairs.
The means for engineering service and customer management processes comprises a means for selecting one or more of the following processes: customer relationship management (CRM); work order management (WOM); network inventory management (NAI); service activation and provisioning (SAP); fault management (FM); performance management (PM); accounting and billing; and security management.
The OMCS tool means for determining the management processes cost comprises a means for determining a process cost per NE for each of said network management processes for one or more of the following: a manual operations mode; a mechanized operations mode; and a manual and mechanized operations mode. The means for determining the management processes cost further comprises a means for determining a process cost per link for each of said service and customer management processes for one or more of the following: a manual operations mode; a mechanized operations mode; and a manual and mechanized operations mode.
Another aspect of the invention provides a computer program containing instructions for directing a computer to perform a process for analyzing business parameters for a plurality of network architectures, and comparing the business parameters for said network architectures over a pre-determined study period.
The program comprises means for causing the computer to receive data for the plurality of network architectures; analyze the received data to compute the business parameters for said network architectures; and compare said computed business parameters for said network architectures for determining cost savings of one network architecture versus another and for determining a business solution that articulates the network architecture for reducing total expenditure.
The program means for causing the computer to receive the data for the plurality of network architectures comprises means for causing the computer to receive input user data; network architectures data; and management processes data for said network architectures. The input user data comprises traffic data; customer data; and financial and labour data for the plurality of network architectures. The network architectures data comprises network elements (NEs) data; CPE data; links and ports data; and further comprises network architectures options for said network architectures. The management processes data comprises network management data; service and customer management data; and further comprises network management options; and service and customer management options for managing each of said network architectures.
The program means for causing the computer to analyze the received data comprises a means for causing the computer to compute the business parameters for said network architectures over said pre-determined study period.
The program means for causing the computer to compare said business parameters for said network architectures comprises a means for causing the computer to tabulate and graphically chart the business parameters for said network architectures over said predetermined study period.
In accordance with a first embodiment of this invention, the program is a self-contained Microsoft EXCEL-based decision support software tool comprises a plurality of EXCEL workbooks. A number of EXCEL workbooks are for receiving input user data; network architectures data and options; and management processes data and options. A workbook is for analyzing and combining the received data; and another workbook for computing the business parameters for a plurality of network architectures. In yet another workbook, the computed business parameters are tabulated and graphically charted for each of said network architectures.
In accordance with a second embodiment of this invention, the program is a self-contained software tool comprises a plurality of sub-programs linked together and the sub-programs are written in one or more of the following computer languages: machine language, C/C++, virtual basic, and Java. A number of sub-programs are for receiving input user data; network architectures data and options; and management processes data and options. A sub-program is for analyzing and combining the received data; and another sub-program is for computing the business parameters for a plurality of network architectures. The computed business parameters are then passed to another sub-program for tabulating and graphically charting the business parameters for each of said network architectures.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method for developing business solution for a telecommunications network using the OMCS tool. The method comprises the steps of receiving data for a plurality of network architectures; analyzing the received data to compute business parameters for said network architectures; and comparing said computed business parameters for said network architectures for determining cost savings of one network architecture versus another and for determining a business solution that articulates the network architecture for reducing total expenditure.
The business parameters comprise the total expenditure; and wherein the total expenditure comprises CAPEX and OPEX. The business parameters further comprise business and financial statistics comprising revenue, capacity, ROI, EBITDA, EBIT, OPEX as percentage of revenue, and total expenditure as percentage of revenue.
The step of receiving data comprises a step of receiving input user data; network architectures data; management processes data; network architectures options; network management processes options; and service and customer management processes options for the plurality of network architectures.
The step of analyzing the business parameters comprises a step of analyzing the business parameters for a network architecture having one or more of the following technology: TDM, ATM, FR, IP, VPN, MPLS, and optical Ethernet including fiber, SONET, RPR, and DWDM. This step further comprises a step of adjusting and updating data for said network architectures.
The step of comparing the business parameters for the plurality of network architectures comprises a step of reporting said business parameters for said network architectures over a predetermined study period; and wherein the business solution comprises the network architecture with the least total expenditure and said network architecture having NEs, CPE, and links from the same or different equipment suppliers; and having network, service, and customer management processes from the same or different management processes suppliers.
The step of reporting the business parameters further comprises a step of tabulating and graphically charting the business parameters for each of said network architectures over said pre-determined study period.
This invention provides an operations, management, capacity, and services (OMCS) tool and method for developing business solution for a telecommunications network. The OMCS tool automates the calculation of the business parameters for a plurality of network architectures and enables comparison of technology alternatives for said network architectures. The OMCS tool provides a comprehensive business solution that articulates the savings of one network architecture versus another and identifies the areas for cost reduction.
The embodiments of the present invention provide improved software tools and methods for business solution for a telecommunications network that would overcome the shortcomings and limitations of the prior arts.
The invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment together with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
The input user data 110 module enables an analyst to input user data and options for a plurality of network architectures to be modeled. The input user data comprises traffic data; customer data; and financial and labour data. The options enable the analyst to select technology alternatives for network architectures and management processes for managing said network architectures.
The options for the technology alternatives for network architectures comprise one or more of the following: time division multiplexing (TDM), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay (FR), Internet protocol (IP), virtual private network (VPN), multi protocol label switching (MPLS), and optical Ethernet including fiber, synchronous optical network (SONET), resilience packet ring (RPR), and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). The options for the management processes enable the analyst to select the network management processes, and service and customer management processes for managing said technology alternatives for the network architectures.
The network architectures to be modeled are configured in the engineering a plurality of network architectures 120 module and network architectures data for said network architectures are determined. A network architecture cost and a leasing cost for each of said network architectures are determined by communicating with the determining suppliers equipment costs 140 module. This module communicates with suppliers' equipment database (not shown) for costing (owned and leased) network elements (NEs), customer premise equipment (CPE), and links for each of the network architectures.
The engineering management processes 130 module defines management processes for managing each of said network architectures and the determining supplier management processes costs 150 module determines their costs. The determining supplier management processes costs 150 module communicates with a suppliers' management processes database (not shown) for costing each management process for network, service, and customer management.
The validating and calibrating data 155 module validates and calibrates the data received from the input user data 110 module; the engineering a plurality of network architectures 120 module; the engineering management processes 130 module; the determining suppliers equipment costs 140 module; and the determining suppliers management processes costs 150 module, to ensure that service, customer, and network requirements and management are met in terms of quality of service (QoS) and network capacity.
The analyzing business parameters 160 module combines the data received from the validating and calibrating data 155 module to compute business parameters for each of said network architectures over a pre-determined study period, wherein the pre-determined study period comprises a plurality of a pre-determined time periods, (for example, for a pre-determined time period of one year, the pre-determined study period could be five or ten years).
The business parameters comprise total expenditure, wherein the total expenditure comprises capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX). The CAPEX comprises a network architecture cost, taxes, interests, and deprecation and amortization (D/A) expenses; and the OPEX comprises a management processes cost; a leasing cost; and sales, general and administration (SG&A) expenses.
The business parameters further comprise financial and business statistics comprising revenue; capacity; return on investment (ROI); earnings before interest, taxes, and deprecation and amortization (EBrIDA); earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT); OPEX as percentage of revenue; and total expenditure as percentage of revenue.
The reporting business solutions 170 module reports in tables and graphical charts the business parameters for each of said network architectures over said pre-determined study period.
The input user data 210 stores data received from an analyst for engineering and costing a plurality of network architectures. The received data comprises traffic data 211; customer data 212; and financial and labour data 213.
The network architectures and management processes options 220 stores the analyst network architectures options 221; network management options 222; and service and customer management options 223 for said plurality of network architectures. The network architectures and management processes data 230 stores network architectures data 240 and management processes data 270 for managing said network architectures.
The network architectures data 240 comprises network elements (NEs) data 241; customer premise equipment (CPE) data 242; and links and ports data 243. The management processes data 270 comprises network management data 250 and service and customer management data 260.
The network management data 250 comprises data for inside plant maintenance 251, outside plant maintenance 252, network engineering 253, network provisioning 254, installation 255, testing 256, and repairs 257.
The service and customer management data 260 comprises data for customer relationship management (CRM) 261, work order management (WOM) 262, network inventory management (NIM) 263, service activation and provisioning (SAP) 264, fault management (FM) 265, performance management (PM) 266, accounting and billing 267, and security management 268.
The analyst tools 290 combine the data received from the input user data 210; network architectures and management options 220; and network architectures and management processes data 230, to compute the business parameters for each of the network architectures over the pre-determined study period. The analyst tools 290 comprise well known computing and arithmetic operations and general accounting functions.
The reporting tools 295 tabulate and graphically chart said business parameters for said network architectures over said pre-determined study period. The reporting tools 295 comprise well known tables and graphical charts capabilities.
Network architectures options 221 of
The management processes for managing the network of
Analyzing and reporting the business parameters for the network of
Network architectures options 221 of
The management processes for managing the network of
Analyzing and reporting the business parameters for the network of
The ARCH1520 having switching nodes 521 and services nodes 522 from supplier A 501; add/drop nodes 524 and cross-connect nodes 524 from supplier B 502; and other nodes 525 from supplier C 503. The ARCH2530 having switching nodes 531 and services nodes 532 from supplier A 504; add/drop nodes 534 and cross-connect nodes 534 from supplier B 505; and other nodes 535 from supplier C 506. The ARCH3540 having switching nodes 541 and services nodes 542 from supplier A 507; add/drop nodes 544 and cross-connect nodes 544 from supplier B 508; and other nodes 545 from supplier C 509.
In table 500, a network elements (NEs) inventory 510 comprises an owned NEs data 514 having an owned NEs count 550, a price per network element (NE) 555, and a total owned NEs cost 560; a leased NEs data 516 having a leased NEs count 563, a leased per NE cost 565, and a total leased NEs cost 580; a footprint (space) per NE cost 570 and a total footprints cost 575; and a power consumption per NE cost 585 and a total power consumptions cost 590. All costs are determined using one currency over a pre-determined time period, for example, in dollars per year.
A total footprints cost 575 is determined by multiplying the sum of the owned NEs counts 550 and the leased NEs count 563 by the footprint per NE cost 570. A total owned NEs cost 560 is determined by multiplying the owned NEs count 550 by the price per NE 555. A total leased NEs cost 580 is determined by multiplying the leased NEs counts 563 by the leased per NE cost 565. A total power consumptions cost 590 is determined by multiplying the sum of the owned NEs count 550 and the leased NEs count 563 by the power consumption per NE cost 585.
The ARCH1 totals 526 are determined by summing up the total owned NEs cost 560, the total leased NEs cost 580, the total footprints cost 575, and the total power consumptions cost 590 for the suppliers A 501, B 502, and C 503. The ARCH2 totals 536 are determined by summing up the total owned NEs cost 560, the total leased NEs cost 580, the total footprints cost 575, and the total power consumptions cost 590 for the suppliers A 504, B 505, and C 506. The ARCH3 totals 546 are determined by summing up the total owned NEs cost 560, the total leased NEs cost 580, the total footprints cost 575, and the total power consumptions cost 590 for the suppliers A 507, B 508, and C 509.
The ARCH1620 having Ethernet switching equipment 621 and routing equipment 622 from supplier A 601; terminal equipment 623 from supplier B 602; and other equipment 624 from supplier C 603. The ARCH2630 having Ethernet switching equipment 631 and routing equipment 632 form supplier A 604; terminal equipment 633 from supplier B 605; and other equipment 634 from supplier C 606. The ARCH3640 having Ethernet switching equipment 641 and routing equipment 642 from supplier A 607; terminal equipment 643 from supplier B 608; and other equipment 644 from supplier C 609.
In table 600, a CPE inventory 610 comprises an owned CPE data 614 having an owned CPE count 650, a price per CPE 655, and a total owned CPE cost 660; a leased CPE data 616 having a leased CPE count 663, a leased per CPE cost 665, and a total leased CPE cost 680; a footprint per CPE cost 670 and a total footprints cost 675; and a power consumption per CPE cost 685 and a total power consumptions cost 690. All costs are determined using one currency over a pre-determined time period, for example, in dollars per year.
A total footprints cost 675 is determined by multiplying the sum of the owned CPE count 650 and the leased CPE count by the footprint per CPE cost 670. A total owned CPE cost 660 is determined by multiplying the owned CPE count 650 by the price per CPE 655. A total leased CPE cost 680 is determined by multiplying the leased CPE count 663 by the leased per CPE cost 665. A total power consumptions cost 690 is determined by multiplying the sum of the owned CPE count 650 and the leased CPE count 663 by the power consumption per CPE cost 685.
The ARCH1 totals 625 are determined by summing up the total owned CPE cost 660, the total leased CPE cost 680, the total footprints cost 675, and the total power consumptions cost 690 for the suppliers A 601, B 602, and C 603. The ARCH2 totals 635 are determined by summing up the total owned CPE cost 660, the total leased CPE cost 680, the total footprints cost 675, and the total power consumptions cost 690 for the suppliers A 604, B 605, and C 606. The ARCH3 totals 645 are determined by summing up the total owned CPE cost 660, the total leased CPE cost 680, the total footprints cost 675, and the total power consumptions cost 690 for the suppliers A 607, B 608, and C 609.
The ARCH1720 having T1721 and T3722 links from supplier A 701; E1723 and E3724 links from supplier B 702; and DSL links 725, 10/100 BT 726, and 100/1000 BT 727 links from supplier C 703. The ARCH2730 having fiber 100FX 731 from supplier A 704; OC3732, OC12733, OC48734, and OC 192 links from supplier B 705; and DWDM ring 736, RPR ring 737, and 1000SX/1000LX 738 from supplier C 706. The ARCH3740 having SONET ring 741 and microwave 742 links from supplier A 707; fiber 100 FX 743 and 100/1000 BT 744 links from supplier B 708; and DSL 745 and T3746 links from supplier C 709.
In table 700, a links and ports inventory 710 comprises a link transmission rate 713 (in Mbps, for example); an owned links data 714 having an owned links count 711, a price per link 785, and a total owned links cost 790; a leased links data 716 having a leased links count 715, a leased per link cost 749, and a total leased links cost 760; a leased link per unit length data 718 having a unit length per link count 755, a leased per unit length cost 760, and a total leased links for unit length cost 765; a leased ports data 753 having a leased ports count 712, a leased per port cost 719, and a total leased ports cost 750; and an access links count 775 and a total access capacity 780, (in Mbps, for example). All costs are determined using one currency over a pre-determined time period, for example, in dollars per year.
A total owned links cost 790 is determined by multiplying the owned links count 711 by the price per link 785. A total leased links cost 760 is determined by multiplying the leased links count 715 by the leased per link cost 749. A total leased links for unit length cost 765 is determined by multiplying the leased links count 715 by the unit length per link count 755 and by the unit length per link cost 760. A total leased ports cost 750 is determined by multiplying the leased ports count 712 by the leased per port cost 719. The access capacity 780 is determined by multiplying the access links count 775 by the link transmission rate 713.
The ARCH1 totals 728 are determined by summing up the total owned links cost 790, the total leased links cost 760, the total leased links for unit length cost 765, and the total leased ports cost 750 for the suppliers A 701, B 702, and C 703. The ARCH2 totals 739 are determined by summing up the total owned links cost 790, the total leased links cost 760, the total leased links for unit length cost 765, and the total leased ports cost 750 for the suppliers A 704, B 705, and C 706. The ARCH3 totals 747 are determined by summing up the total owned links cost 790, the total leased links cost 760, the total leased links for unit length cost 765, and the total leased ports cost 750 for the suppliers A 707, B 708, and C 709.
Under the process name 810, the CRM processes are listed, wherein the CRM processes comprise a work order entry and validation process 811; a service delivery and work order processing process 812; a customer care process 813; a trouble ticketing process 814; and a service assurance and performance reporting process 815.
The work order entry and validation process 811 comprises tasks for an order capture; an order validation; a work order decomposition; an order processing; and an order post processing. The service delivery and work order processing process 812 comprises tasks for searching and displaying of all orders; filtering customer services reports (CSR) on service types and/or service status; storing historical information on the service and/or customer; capturing order and generating quotation; and displaying product catalogue.
The customer care process 813 comprises tasks for security, tools, and creating and verifying trouble tickets. The trouble ticketing process 814 comprises tasks for service level definitions including generating a service level template for a service package; adding availability and quality of service (QoS); defining threshold for a potential service level agreement (SLA) violation; mapping a pre-defined template to a particular service; and customizing template on any variance for customer.
The service assurance and performance reporting process 815 comprises tasks for service level agreement (SLA) including collecting performance data from selected devices; collecting errors seconds (ES) and severely errors seconds (SES) to drive QoS metric; collecting unavailability seconds (UAS) to track service availability; assessing QoS and availability metrics; generating reports on daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly bases; processing order metrics; processing problem resolution metrics; and distributing reports via the web portal or other means.
Since some of the CRM processes 811 to 815 could be performed manually and other using mechanized tools (e.g., operations support systems (OSSs)), the total CRM processes cost is computed by multiplying the owned links count 711 in Table 700 of
Under the process name 910, the WOM processes are listed, wherein the WOM processes comprise a work order processing process 911; a client management process 912; a report management process 913; and an administration management process 914.
The work order processing process 911 comprises tasks for receiving order request; processing order; identifying order status; and notifying order status. The client management process 912 comprises tasks for order listing; order displaying; order auditing; and order searching. The report management process 913 comprises tasks for online reporting; pending orders viewing; order volume viewing; and order performance viewing. The administration management process 914 comprises tasks for setting up new users; setting up workgroups; assigning roles and privileges; defining order template; defining tasks and processes; and defining security measures.
For combined manual and mechanized operations, the total WOM processes cost is computed by multiplying the owned links count 711 in Table 700 of
Under the process name 1010, the NIM processes are listed, wherein the NM processes comprise a customer, services, and resources association management process 1011; an equipment management process 1012; and a network management process 1013.
The customer, services, and resources association management process 1011 comprises tasks for associating customer information with service; and maintaining view of customer, service, and resources relationships. The equipment management process 1012 comprises tasks for defining containment and association rules for adding new equipment; defining hierarchies (e.g., bays, shelf, card, equipment, power supplies, etc.); and showing multiple views of equipment including hierarchical tree view.
The network management process 1013 comprises tasks for creating and deleting network domain; generating libraries of pre-configured equipment; updating of inventory upon successful provisioning; performing real time data synchronization to prevent mismatch work order data; applying work order data changes to all equipment across the network; auditing database routinely; performing syntax and semantic checks on data; real-time database querying for services, network, and customer data; and real time viewing of data for each network element in the network.
The total NIM processes cost is computed by multiplying the owned links count 711 in Table 700 of
Under the process name 1110, the SAP processes are listed, wherein the SAP processes comprise a create a new service process 1111; a customer association process 1112; a process for aligning and synchronizing with billing, maintenance, and performance 1113; and a resource discovery and database quires process 1114.
The create a new service process 1111 comprises tasks for entering new service's setting selected from available network resources; entering request for a new service; opening up a work order to create the service on a set date and time; opening up pending orders in network database to reserve required resources; setting up trigger activation on correct date and time; setting up trigger for a process to apply changes; activating service at edge node; and activating service at customer router node.
The customer association process 1112 comprises tasks for updating database and network with service, network, and customer data; auditing work order trail for history report; and auditing work order trail to access who did what and when it was done. The process for aligning and synchronizing with billing, maintenance, and performance 1113 comprises tasks for updating billing for customer usage service; updating maintenance for trouble reports resolution; and updating performance for collecting performance monitors from network element for QoS and SLA.
The resource discovery and database quires process 1114 comprises tasks for starting service activation; entering card IP address; sending service request to synch card IP address with network; initiating request to start network synchronization; performing queries to get data provisioned in one card; reformatting data into service view and storing in network database; viewing services provisioned in the network; and querying data stored in network database.
The total SAP processes cost is computed by multiplying the owned links count 711 in Table 700 of
Under the process name 1210, the FM processes are listed, wherein the FM processes comprise a trouble ticketing process 1211; an isolate problem process 1212; and an analysis and resolution for service logic agreement (SLA) process 1213.
The trouble ticketing process 1211 comprises tasks for listing all network elements within span of control; checking health of individual network element for efficient troubleshooting; performing trouble ticketing for SLA; detailing all currently active alarms; searching, sorting, and filtering individual alarm information; reaching through network element and element manager; collecting historical details of alarms and events; filtering and tracking active alarms; managing consolidated network alarms; viewing order of priority of alarm severity; correlating alarms; and transmitting trouble ticket identifier into alarm manager.
The isolate problem process 1212 comprises tasks for getting real time performance and status of the network; displaying traffic and protection controls; browsing historical faults; providing list of solutions to a problem; creating ticketing and log cases; setting priority and rate cases; reviewing cases history; and managing configuration and tracking case related costs. The analysis and resolution of SLA process 1213 comprises tasks for generating a service level template for service packages; adding standard definition of availability and QoS; defining threshold for an SLA violation alarm; provisioning performance threshold; mapping a pre-defined template to a particular service; customizing template for a customer or a service; processing order metrics, reporting monthly; and reporting on per port statistics.
The total FM processes cost is computed by multiplying the owned links count 711 in Table 700 of
Under the process name 1310, the PM processes are listed, wherein the PM processes comprise a collect performance data process 1311; a generate performance reports process 1312; and a validate service logic agreement (SLA) process 1313.
The collect performance data process 1311 comprises tasks for collecting performance data from devices; collecting ES and SES to drive QoS metric; collecting UAS to track service availability; collecting and storing performance monitors to database to facilitate after the fact analysis; collecting performance measures from terminating network elements (NEs); collecting performance data for SLA; and collecting operations measurements for links and NEs.
The generate performance reports process 1312 comprises tasks for generating reports on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly bases; distributing reports for network analysis, summary, and utilization, and reports for network element (NE) detail; generating customized reports; generating standard predefined reports; providing historical NE reports; reporting on performance of resources in the network (e.g., trail, circuit, etc.); reporting on service availability; reporting on the availability of each customer service; and reporting on service level performance.
The validate service logic agreement (SLA) process 1313 comprises tasks for determining traffic patterns and trends; browsing performance monitors data; searching, sorting, and copying to file; monitoring transmit and receive power levels; correlating performance monitor data; validating SLA metrics report; viewing network and service performance; assessing QoS and availability metrics; monitoring network and NEs performance; and setting threshold provisioning and threshold crossing alerts.
The total PM processes cost is computed by multiplying the owned links count 711 in Table 700 of
Table 1410, the network architectures options, comprises an architecture name 1413 and options 1415. Under the architecture name 1413, ARCH1 to ARCH1014131 to 14140 are listed, wherein each of the ARCH1 to ARCH1014131 to 14140 represents a single or a hybrid technology, and wherein the technology alternatives comprise ATM, MPLS, FR, optical Ethernet, etc. The options 1415 are binary values 1 for selecting the architecture (e.g., ARCH114131 and ARCH214132) and 0 for not selecting the architecture (e.g., ARCH614136 and ARCH714137), as shown in table 1410 of
Table 1420, the service and customer management options, comprises a process name 1423 and options 1425. Under the process name 1423, the service and customer management processes are listed. These processes comprise CRM 14231, WOM 14232, NIM 14233, SAP 14234, FM 14235, PM 14236, billing and accounting 14237, and security management 14238. The options 1425 are binary values, 1 for 20 selecting the management process (e.g., CRM 14231 and WOM 14232), and 0 for not selecting the management process (e.g., billing & accounting 14237 and security management 14238), as shown in table 1420 of
Table 1430, the network management data, comprises a process name 1450 and a process cost per node 1460. The process cost per node 1460 is determined for a manual operations mode 1470, a mechanized operation mode 1480, and a manual and mechanized operations mode 1490 for each network management process. All costs are determined using one currency over a predetermined time period, for example, in dollars per year.
Under the process name 1450, the network management processes are listed, wherein the network management processes comprise inside plant maintenance 1451; outside plant maintenance 1452; network engineering 1453; network provisioning 1454; installation 1455; testing 1456; and repairs 1457.
The total network management processes cost is computed by multiplying the sum of the owned NEs count 550 in table 500 of
Table 1510, the network management options, comprises a process name 1505 and options 1515. Under the process name 1505, the network management processes are listed, wherein the network management processes comprise inside plant maintenance 15051; outside plant maintenance 15052; network engineering 15053; network provisioning 15054; installation 15055; testing 15056; and repairs 15057. The options 1515 are binary values, 1 for selecting the network management process (e.g., network engineering 15053 and testing 15056) and 0 for not selecting the network management process (e.g., installation 15055 and outside plant 15052), as shown in table 1510 of
Table 1520, the traffic data, comprises a parameter name 1523 and a value 1525. Under the parameter name 1523, traffic parameters are listed, wherein the traffic parameters comprise a revenue per Mbps 15230; a percentage revenue generated bandwidth 15231; an average busy hour traffic per user (in bps) 15232; a percentage intra-domain traffic 15233; a percentage inter-domain traffic 15234; a mean duration of voice call (in seconds) 15235; a payload rate per user (in bps) 15236; a percentage voice link utilization 15237; a percentage increase in capacity 15238; and an average bandwidth per link (in Mbps) 15239. These parameters reflect different quality of services such as standard (for e-mail, file transfer, and non-critical Internet access), priority (for critical Internet access, point-of-sale, and streaming video), and near real-time (for voice over 1P and video conferencing) classes of services. Under the value 1525, the values for said parameters are determined.
Table 1530, the customer data, comprises parameter name 1533 and a value 1535. Under the parameter name 1533, customer related parameters are listed, wherein the parameters comprise a number of customer sites per edge node (or NE) 15331; a number of buildings 15332; a building entry cost 15333; and a leased per building cost 15334. Under the value 1535, the values for said parameters are determined.
Using network planning and engineering principles, each of the network architectures (block 1715) is configured to meet the traffic data in table 1520 and customer data in table 1530 of
Procedure 1700 determines the management processes (block 1730) for managing each of said network architectures by selecting the options 1515 for network management options in table 1510 of
Procedure 1700 analyzes the received data (block 1740) to compute business parameters for each of the network architectures. Procedure 1700 computes (block 1760) the business parameters over a pre-determined study period, (e.g., 5 years). The business parameters comprise CAPEX, OPEX, total expenditure, revenue, capacity, ROI, EBITDA, EBIT, OPEX as percentage of revenue, and total expenditure as percentage of revenue.
Procedure 1700 compares the computed business parameters (block 1770) for said network architectures for determining cost savings of one network architecture versus another and for determining the network architecture with the least total expenditure.
Procedure 1700 employs the percentage increase in capacity 15238 in table 1520 of
Procedure 1700 updates the network architectures and management processes data 230 of
Procedure 1700 adjusts and updates data (block 1780) as required and re-analyzes the business parameters (block 1740). When analysis is completed for the pre-determined study period, procedure 1700 reports the business parameters for said network architectures over the pre-determined study period. The reporting of said business parameters comprises tabulating and graphically charting the business parameters for each of the network architectures over said pre-determined study period, thus, finishing the procedure 1700 (block 1795).
In computing the business parameters for each of the network architectures, generally accepted accounting principles are applied to the network architectures costs in tables 500, 600, and 700 of
The leasing cost for each of the network architectures is determined from the total power consumptions 590 for NEs and the total power consumptions 690 for CPE in tables 500 and 600 of
The depreciation and amortization (D/A), taxes, interests, and the SG&A (sales, general and administration) are computed to meet the financial parameters 1611 to 1620 in table 1600 of
CAPEX=a network architecture cost+Taxes+Interests+D/A, (1)
OPEX=a management processes cost+a leasing cost+SG&A (2)
From Formulae (1) and (2), the total expenditure is computed as follows:
Total expenditure=CAPEX+OPEX (3)
The total access capacity (Mbps) 780 is determined for each of the network architectures from table 700 of
Thus, financial statistics such as EBITDA, EBIT, OPEX as percentage of revenue, total expenditure as percentage of revenue, and ROI are computed using the following well known formulae for each of said network architectures:
EBIRDA=Revenue−OPEX;
EBIT=Revenue−(OPEX+D/A);
OPEX as (%) of revenue=100*(OPEX/Revenue);
Total expenditure as (%) of revenue=100*(total expenditure/Revenue); and
ROI=Total expenditure/the total access capacity.
The ARCH11820 is a layer 2 ATM architecture that requires fully meshed overlay networks. In this architecture, routing is implemented by creating permanent virtual connection (PVC) between nodes. This architecture is similar to the fully meshed architecture of the telecommunications network of
The ARCH21821 is a layer 3 MPLS with QoS architecture that requires full meshed point-to-point connections between service provider edge nodes (or NEs). This architecture is also similar to that of
The ARCH31822 is a layer 2 ATM architecture that uses private network to network interface (PNNI) routing system to route the call, handle signaling, set up connection, and re-establish connection after network failure. The PNNI improves the performance of the ATM network, since routing decisions are not required at each node between the ingress and egress nodes. Accordingly, the ATM with PNNI reduces OPEX by performing some management processes at edge nodes only.
The ARCH41823 is a Layer 2 MPLS architecture wherein packets are switched based on generic labels. The ARCH41823 is an enhancement over ARCH11820 and ARCH21821 and it provides the capability to set-up tunnels through the routed network. In this architecture, the packets flow from ingress to egress nodes and the edge node participates in layer 3 administrative duties. Here, the OPEX is reduced due to simplicity in the architecture technology using rings as shown in the architecture of the telecommunications network of
The ARCH51824 is a layer 2 optical Ethernet architecture that off-loads many of the layer 3 administrative duties and eliminates traffic bottleneck between local and wide area networks. This technology uses ring architecture similar to that of the telecommunications network of
In graph 1800 it can be seen that the management processes cost for ARCH21821 technology is higher than other architectures technologies ARCH11820, ARCH31822, ARCH41823, and ARCH51824. From the graph 1800 it can also be seen that ARCH51824 has the least management processes cost.
In graph 1800, for each network architecture, the management processes costs are shown comprising footprints 1830, power consumptions 1835, installation 1840, testing and repairs 1845, inside and outside plant maintenance 1850, network engineering and provisioning 1855, performance management (PM) 1860, fault management (FM) 1865, service activation and provisioning (SAP) 1870, network inventory management (NIM) 1875, work order management (WOM) 1880, and customer relationship management (CRM) 1885.
The embodiments of this invention provide a software tool that automates the calculation of the business parameters for a plurality of network architectures. The OMCS tool enables comparison of different network architectures comprising NEs, CPE, and links from the same or different equipment suppliers, and network, service, and customer management processes from the same or different management processes suppliers.
Appreciably, the OMCS tool estimates the business parameters for a business solution that articulates the network architecture with the least total expenditure and provides a comprehensive view of the CAPEX and the OPEX. The tool enables service providers to develop a comprehensive business solution that enables them to plan different technology for their evolving network architectures, quantify the business parameters for each of the network architectures, and identify the areas for cost reduction.
Advantageously, the present invention may be utilized to modify an existing network architecture (such as an existing ATM or frame relay architecture) to move closely and coincide with another articulated business solution or to develop a new business solution (such as an MPLS or optical Ethernet architecture).
The present invention provides a software tool and method for business solution for a telecommunications network. It will be apparent to those with skill in the art that modifications to the above methods and embodiments can occur without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.