Microsoft and Deloitte get Active

At Supercomm, Microsoft introduced its Active OSS framework, the culmination of a year's worth of work since the software giant announced its aim to become an operations support system player. The company also announced that Deloitte Consulting used the framework as a guide for its own OSS initiative.

The Active OSS framework puts to work the Windows Distributed interNet Applications Architecture, Windows NT operating system, component object model and distributed component object model to encapsulate OSS business and process logic in the carrier environment. It builds on existing OSS process models, including the Network Management Forum's Telecom Operations Map and the Telecommunications Management Network.

Deloitte has made Active OSS the technology basis for its OSS Transformation solution, the primary feature of which is an application for Web-based self-service configuration. The solution incorporates business process prints-progressive maps that companies can follow to create better customer service strategies.

"This allows telcos to release the value from their OSSs, in which they have made very significant investments," said Bill Gaik, practice director for the Americas at Deloitte Consulting's Telecommunications and Media Practice.

"It's a great use of the Internet to better serve voice customers," added Cameron Myhrvold, vice president of Microsoft's Internet customer unit.

Deloitte envisions that the self-service feature could become a Web-based wholesale ordering function, allowing competitive carriers to more easily order unbundled circuits and services from incumbent operators, said Julie Dodds, a Deloitte partner. This could solve problems with lost and delayed orders that have been associated with manual wholesale ordering. "We're currently developing the robustness in the solution to be able to do that," Dodds said.

BC Tel Mobility of Canada is also building an application on Microsoft's Active OSS frame, and Microsoft officials believe the company will license the framework to both carriers and vendors.