Go configure: Granite extends its management platform

Granite Systems last week introduced two new ways service providers can use its Xpercom suite of network configuration management solutions. The company developed the Xperweb portable edition of its flagship Xpercom solution and Xperworx, its workflow management system. Xpercom also will be available to service providers through Fujitsu on an outsourced basis.

Fujitsu announced an outsourced network operations center (NOC) solution last week and chose Xpercom as its configuration management platform. Xpercom lets service providers track network element inventory down to a port and channel level.

Fujitsu is building a 5000 square-foot NOC in Richardson, Texas, where it will provide end-to-end network management solutions that range from implementation to field service support. Fujitsu will begin providing fault and performance monitoring, circuit resource management, connection and configuration services for network elements, and access equipment in its new facility in September or October.

"When small start-ups grow up, one-half to one-third of those that outsourced their network management begin to insource," said Mark Mortensen, vice president of marketing at Granite.

Fujitsu will deploy open platforms in its NOC and can support multiple platforms for back-office solutions.

"We can use any product in our facility, but our product of choice is Granite. They have the architecture and scalability we need," said Gary Palmatier, director of advanced network services at Fujitsu.

Other solutions in Fujitsu's outsource solution include Sun server platforms from Sun Microsystems, which use prominent off-the-shelf applications such as Remedy, Palmatier said.

Clear Communications will act as the manager of managers for the multivendor network elements. "It will integrate various element managers and bring in the telemetry data," Palmatier said.

Managing network inventory is not always the first priority of the emerging carriers that Fujitsu targets. The company targeting small and medium-sized public network carriers. "Sometimes carriers tend to back into inventory management because they concentrate on getting systems up and working," Palmatier said. "We feel that... this is an essential element for our facility."

The Xperweb solution could also one day be essential for business managers and field technicians. The portable edition runs on a Palm VII. The demo version ran using cellular digital packet data technology (see figure). Field personnel can use the device to access, view and update network configuration information and work orders remotely.

Remote access is available today, but extending it to the Palm VII makes it more convenient. "It's hard to work on a laptop when you're climbing a ladder to fix a cable," said Kevin Wilamowski, director of sales engineering for Granite.

As new wireless technologies become popular, Granite will look to expand Xperweb. "The need for wireless mobility is becoming huge," Mortensen said. "This application is exciting, but is Palm VII the ultimate solution? Maybe not, but it is indicative of what can be done with wireless interfaces. And it shows our open APIs."