Products
ILEC-PRICER CALCULATES COSTS
Barry Dortok, president of NDA, says ILECPricer was developed based on feedback from small to mediumsized ILECs and CLECs. The software shares the same pricing engine as NDA’s flagship product, AMS. Two of the four RBOCs, as well as many CLECs are using NDA’s pricing engine. Tariff updates are performed twice per month.
NDA CORP.
60 Gough Road Markham, ON, Canada
L3R 8X7
+1 905 477 9534
www.ndacorp.com
AMDOCS ADDS FEATURES TO PRM TOOL
Amdocs, provider of billing and CRM products and services for integrated customer management, has enhanced its Amdocs Partner Relationship Management (PRM) product to help Communications Service Providers (CSPs) cost-effectively enable and manage convergent support for multiple content and commerce partners. The company says the enhancements let CSPs provide consumers with new products and services and reduce the cost of managing multiple partners, thereby allowing CSPs to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and promote new revenue streams.
Key enhancements include partner self-registration; partner life cycle management; product bundle; partner thresholds and limit checks; and invoice/usage analysis. The company says the boosted features allow operators to reduce costs, manage partner relationships more effectively and gain a competitive advantage.
AMDOCS
Lincoln Plaza
89 South St.
Floor 5 Boston, MA 02111
+1 617 526 1227
www.amdocs.com
INTEC RELEASES SECOND VERSION OF INTER-ACTIVATE
Intec Telecom Systems PLC is offering Inter-activatE version 2, a carrier-grade, flow-through service activation solution meant to replace multiple legacy activation systems by activating fixed, wireless, IP and advanced communications services from a single application. The technology features a new distributed architecture that runs on multiple small servers. It also provides a cost-effective upgrade path so growing operators can increase Inter-activatE installations as subscriber and service numbers expand, according to the company.
Some of the highlights of Inter-activatE V2 include Service Object Management, a configurable, object-oriented system that allows fast introduction of services and rapid adjustment to new market demands; enables rapid, low-risk changes to service activation processes through a graphical interface; and a customizable, real-time monitor that enables a high-level view of service delivery to the network.
INTEC TELECOM SYSTEMS PLC
301 Perimeter Center N.
Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30346
+1 404 705 2800
www.intec-telecom-systems.com
NETWORK EAGLE MONITORS REMOTE SERVICES
Effective Systems’ new Network Eagle monitors the state of various remote network services, sends various alerts and performs some actions in case of any network problems. With Network Eagle, the user creates a categorized list of checks on a set-and-forget basis, so the program runs those checks at regular intervals. Based on the results, the system activates alerts.
Network Eagle can run as a regular desktop application or as NT service application. It supports Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP platforms. Network Eagle 3.4 costs $187.00 for a single-user license.
EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS
Pacific Business Centre
101 – 1001 W. Broadway, Suite 381
Vancouver, BC V6H 4E4
Canada
+1 375 29 779 5808
www.network-eagle.com
VBOS UNLEASHES NEW WIRELESS MODULE
Virtual Back Office Software Inc. (VBOS) has released the VBOSS Wireless Module for its Web-based back-office solution, VBOSS software. The module features Web-based ordering, provisioning, call rating, billing and collections. It allows telecom companies to construct packages, with group-specified sets of features and minutes as part of a package price, and then charge for items and minutes that fall outside of those specified sets.
VBOSS now also allows wireless providers to automate many manual functions, such as sending proposals or quotations, provisioning and activation of qualified orders, downloading and rating of call detail records, payment application to the proper accounts, and generation and off-loading of bill printing and letter mailing.
The wireless module further allows telecom companies to customize the VBOSS system. A flow-maintenance system allows qualified users to tell the VBOSS system which steps are necessary for a certain process to follow, the order of those steps and the conditions for the next action. A prominent tool is the event templates, which can permit the creation of templates that take action based on an event, such as receiving a payment; it also permits the creation of actions based on date or time, so a user can specify automatic service shutoff if a payment has not been received in a specified number of days.
The wireless module works independently of or in conjunction with the other VBOSS modules, which handle long-distance, local (including e-bonding to all RBOCs, plus GTE) VoIP and prepaid modules.
VBOSS includes Web portals for sales agents, customers, management and CSRs of carriers, resellers, CLECs and ICPs. Available on a hosted basis, it starts at $3,000 per month.
VBOS
41 Winter St.
Boston, MA 02116
+1 617 338 3111
www.vbosoftware.com
DCA ANNOUNCES $3 BILL
DCA Services, a Platinum Equity company, has implemented the DCA $3 Bill, a new, simplified product and pricing structure for its billing and customer care system. The DCA $3 Bill gives clients use of DCAs billing system, all of the tools in its customer care software, electronic billing, ASP access, printing and mail preparation, and remote access for monitoring these systems for a $3-per-bill price with no implementation or conversion fee.
The price also covers all hard costs, such as postage and paper, and includes free, unlimited training on DCA’s software and systems. Further, DCA does not require a long-term contract. Clients can leave with 120 days notice. To receive the DCA $3 Bill, clients must commit to a monthly minimum of $25,000. DCA says it will reduce its per-bill charge to the client with a higher monthly minimum commitment.
DCA SERVICES
300 N. Meridian
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
+1 405 951 9300
www.dcaweb.net
BCI INTRODUCES BC BETI ENHANCEMENTS
Billing Concepts’ BC BETI product now is enhanced by the introduction of a leastcost line-level information package. The new query provides BC BETI customers with the operating company number (OCN) and On-Net status - whether a telephone number is LEC-billable - at a cheaper rate than traditional line-level queries, says the company.
Customers can obtain traditional linelevel queries, name and address information, as well as information from BC BETI’s historical data repository. As the largest LEC clearinghouse, Billing Concepts accumulates a wide range of historical information at the ANI level, including LEC adjustments, customer service adjustments, LEC write-offs, high-toll activities and other information.
BCI
7411 John Smith Drive, Suite 200
San Antonio, TX 78229
+1 888 393 5854
www.billingconcepts.com
NCR LAUNCHES INTELLIGENT CARRIER SERVICES
NCR Corp. has announced it will launch its Intelligent Carrier Services around the world, enabling telecommunications carriers operating globally to deliver valueadded solutions to more locations with greater speed and at the highest service levels, says the company.
NCR’s Intelligent Carrier Services will let carriers extend IP-based services, including IP telephony and virtual private networks, that complement their existing WAN and CPE offers.
As part of NCR’s Intelligent Carrier Services, carriers can use [email protected], an IT infrastructure management portal that allows NCR customers to manage their IT infrastructures online while monitoring service levels for continuous process improvements and improved efficiency. Under NCR’s Intelligent Carrier Services solution, carriers using [email protected] will gain service knowledge through reports designed to provide actionable IT intelligence.
NCR CORP.
1700 S. Patterson Blvd.
Dayton, Ohio 45479
+1 800 225 5627
www.ncr.com
TNS DELIVERS REVENUE ASSURANCE
A new revenue assurance solution from Transaction Network Services’ Telecommunication Services Division allows service providers to use SS7 network intelligence to prevent revenue leaks by monitoring and enforcing terms of interconnect agreements. Revenue leaks happen because switches are designed to process and terminate calls without regard to interconnect agreements. In addition, intercarrier compensation is based on settlements for services that already have been rendered.
Currently, carriers detect revenue leaks and attempt to resolve them through costly and time-consuming interconnect negotiations and dispute processes. However, in cases where partner carriers are able to use network resources without having to pay, they are not motivated to re-provision networks or enter into further discussions that will simply result in increased costs.
The TNS solution is designed to resolve the problem of revenue leaks on incoming calls through a real-time monitoring tool developed to help service providers enforce terms of interconnect agreements. TNS uses information available within SS7 call set-up messages to log call data and/or determine call treatment in real-time. In the most extreme case, the solution can send unbillable incoming calls to customer-defined alternative treatments.
TNS
1939 Roland Clark Place
Reston, VA 20191
+1 703 453 8300
www.tnsi.com
OMNIHUB PROVIDES 3-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY
Bayly Communications Inc. has released OMNIHub, its combined serial server (CSS), remote access server (RAS) and LAN hub.
OMNIHub provides an economical method of aggregating serial and LAN devices through one device that can be seamlessly deployed to the central sites of a network, as well as to remote office or branch networks.
The OMNIHub can be used as a RAS using serial line Internet protocol and PPP with security by PAP, CHAP and Radius. It can be purchased as a 16s 8h or 16h 8s unit and provides terminal and printer access. All serial ports are ESDprotected to 15KV. OMNIHub provides up to 230kbs throughput per port and includes a 32-bit processor.
According to the company OMNIHub will help network operators support integration of IP-based technologies into legacy TDM networks.
BAYLY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
105 Green Court, Ajax, Ontario,
Canada, L1S 6W9
+1 905 686 1011
www.bayly.com
LOGISENSE CORP.’S TRAFFIC MANAGER SUPPORTS P2P APPLICATIONS
LogiSense Corp.’s release of the new EngageIP Traffic Manager v3.0 adds the capability to manage the most common peer-to-peer applications. The company says Traffic Manager already integrates bandwidth management, caching, compression and content filtering, but notes the addition of P2P controls creates a way for service providers and enterprises to better secure their networks.
“Many enterprises want to drive return on investment from their existing infrastructure,” says Brent Drewry, vice president of sales and marketing for LogiSense. “By implementing this product, they get user productivity gains from increased performance via caching and compression technologies, and can enforce corporate usage policies with P2P management and content filtering capabilities.”
LOGISENSE CORP.
181 Groh Ave.
Suite 201
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada N3C 1Y8
+1 519 2490508
www.logisense.com
DANET INTRODUCES NEW BILLING PLATFORM
Germany-based Danet Group is launching a billing software that puts settlement with content providers, interconnect partners and service providers into a single system. The company says its Content, Interconnect and Service Provider Settlement, or C.I.S.S., product will enable telecommunications network operators to better manage their commercial partners.
Danet’s technology manages partner invoices, contracts and products, allowing operators to consolidate information onto a single invoice with corresponding discounts and credits.
C.I.S.S.’s Web-based, component-based architecture produces XML output and can be configured for other output formats.
DANET GROUP
Gutenbergstrasse 10
D-64331 Weiterstadt, Germany
+1 49 61 51 8 68 0
www.danet.com
BROADMARGIN DEBUTS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SUITE
Broadmargin, a provider of telecom financial management solutions, has introduced a suite of services designed to effectively manage intercarrier costs. The new financial management solutions for network cost management include three product bundles, tiered to create options for companies based on their internal staffing and internal core competencies: Telecom Process Management, Telecom Cost Management and Telecom Financial Management.
Telecom Process Management is an ASP solution that provides access to automated capabilities and the technology required to automate the business process of invoice and payment management; audit and dispute management.
Telecom Cost Management is a fully outsourced solution that includes all of the capabilities of Telecom Process Management, but alleviates the need for additional internal staff, technology investment and training. Broadmargin acts on the customer’s behalf to eliminate costly errors and improve vendor relationships.
Telecom Financial Management provides all the capabilities of fully outsourced Telecom Cost Management, as well as network optimization services to identify opportunities for cost reductions through review of the entire network; contract management services to help develop long-term carrier relationships through negotiating and managing rates; business intelligence that provides 125 different reports appropriate for different roles and responsibilities; and expert implementation led by a dedicated account manager and a team of telecom management business process experts.
Included in each Broadmargin offering is BillTamer, Broadmargin’s proprietary cost management software application that systemically processes, validates and manages telecom costs. BillTamer automates invoice management, ensures bill accuracy by performing more than 250 systemic audits, handles carrier dispute resolution, processes invoice payments, cost allocation and provides management reporting, the company says.
BROADMARGIN
8500 Executive Park Ave.
Suite 110 Fairfax, VA 22031
+1 703 560 1800
www.broadmargin.com
