Branching out: Software vendor opens professional services wing

Global Mobility Systems is expanding beyond software development in an effort to help guide wireless operators in strategic business planning and service differentiation.

The vendor, which last year began offering its Mobility Operating Environment enhanced services platform to the wireless market, has launched a professional services organization to consult with carriers on topics such as network engineering, service creation and marketing strategy.

"It goes beyond a technology issue," said Jay Maguire, vice president of the professional services group. "There's a need in the marketplace for other aspects to be addressed."

Maguire leads the professional services division, which is divided into four segments, each devoted to different carrier concerns. "We focus on the new entrants and the big issues they face in getting to market," Maguire said.

The vendor intends to align its new division with its developing software capabilities. That includes MOE, which is based on the IS-41 wireless intelligent network architecture and currently supports business dialing, customer care and restricted dialing applications.

"Our goal is not to just drop off software, but to provide a solution," said Michael Buhrmann, president and CEO of GMS.

One analyst said GMS' new strategy makes sense because many new wireless ventures were formed by people with little wireless experience.

"The professional services component is a smart piece because it says they'll teach carriers about the services," said Brian Cotton, research director for wireless communications at Frost & Sullivan. "They're trying to train the people who hold the licenses."

Competitive local exchange carrier MGC Communications claims to have captured nearly 3% of the Las Vegas market. The company recently opened offices in Southern California and Atlanta and plans to expand to Illinois and Florida.

CLECs Net-tel Communications and DynTel Communications have selected Epoch Internet to provide Internet access services. Net-tel offers local and long-distance voice and data services to business customers throughout the U.S. DynTel uses a similar strategy in the mid-Atlantic states.

Business Telecom Inc., a CLEC targeting the Southeast, has turned up its first fiber ring. The carrier has installed DSC's Litespan-2012 access system in several markets.