Motorola formalizes OSS support program

Motorola formally announced its Listed Product Support Program this week, along with its first public partner, Micromuse, to develop product for GSM networks with through the program.

The program, in the works for a couple of years at Motorola, is intended to give independent software vendors formal access to technical information, experts and planned interface changes so they can build well-engineered solutions that help operators better manage their mobile networks.

“The program formalizes the process of getting vendors the information and sources they need to get the appropriate advanced information on a specific release or interface change so they can be ready for it when it comes out,” said Tom Shirley, vice president and general manager of the OSS Division of Motorola’s Global Telecommunications Solutions Sector.

Micromuse is the first vendor to publicly announce its participation in the program, as well as the first to develop a product through the collaboration. Micromuse has developed a probe capable of providing an end-to-end view of service availability across an operator's GSM network, which enables faster identification and resolution of service issues, reduces downtime and improves accuracy of service capacity planning.

“Many of our customers on a global basis who may already being using NetCool will benefit from a more seamless integration,” Shirley said.

The Micromuse Netcool/OMNIbus probe allows the Motorola Operations and Maintenance Center-Radio (OMC-R) to send events into the Netcool/OMNIbus solution where they will be consolidated with events from other elements of the mobile network as well as systems and applications.

The program helps vendors supporting Motorola infrastructure to both build more compatible product and to stay current with Motorola’s ongoing enhancements.

Micromuse, as well as other program partners, will be able to work with Motorola to systematically inform one another of upcoming releases and interface changes.

The program offers no official certification. However, “A vendor’s customer will know that their vendor has worked with Motorola to validate their interfaces, that it works and that there will be so [system integration] surprises,” Shirley said.