Mantra…Mantra…Mantra

IRX platform to help maximize services

Now that the Internet has moved beyond its historical roots and has proven its utility for mainstream business, Mantra will help develop the value-added services for which, it says, the Internet is poised. Mantra introduced its Intelligent Resource Exchange dynamic service delivery platform this week, along with the premiere members of its IRX industry partner program.

IRX takes a business-driven approach to helping providers of real-time content, networked applications and broadband access services maximize the services on their network and application infrastructures.

IRX is designed to maximize the revenue and profit margin of each service delivered. It will do so by using dynamic rather than static delivery of services.

“Where first generation point products all fall short is in answering the business question that is fundamental to the successful operation of any business,” said Neil Snyder, executive vice president of Mantra. “How can a provider, while juggling the variables of deliver and relationship management, ensure that the service [they are delivering] is and will stay profitable?”

Mantra’s solution creates a dynamic resource availability and cost matrix that allocates resources to services based on the provider’s business objectives. The matrix is based on user demand and available resources, which is used in conjunction with a provider’s business rules to determine service delivery.

“Emerging carriers today have the assumption that explosive growth and demand will somehow counteract the lack of basic service profit planning,” Snyder said. “Providers open the door to additional opportunity while failing to consider the impact the opportunity has on a their business plan execution.”

To get a complete view of the impact, solutions need to see across the network. IRX will integrate applications and services with other application platforms, network equipment and storage systems. It boasts open interfaces to network management, order entry, trouble ticketing and billing systems.

Many of those interfaces will be to the companies in Mantra’s partner program. They include Extreme Networks, Portal Software, Hughes Network Systems, Pliant Systems, Lucent Technologies, Sun Microsystems and Wind River Systems.

Virginia-based Picus Communications will deploy Mantra’s IRX in the fourth quarter of this year. Picus provides converged voice and data broadband services to business and residential customers in Maryland, Virginia, Washington and has service available in six other states.

Picus is transitioning from a reseller to a facilities-based provider of bundles of long-distance, local and Internet services. “Mantra will be able to give our customers the ability to flow through and self-provision services on both the voice and data side,” said Chuck Manto, senior vice president of operations for Picus. “IRX will help us track and support service level agreements, monitor contention for scarce resources and help customers obtain unusual service in a real-time environment.”