We always say Alvatross’ suite of products is a catalog-driven solution. But what does it actually mean? alvatross’ Unified Catalog works as a master repository for componentized entities of products, services and/or resources within one or more domains of a service provider’s environment. This system enables our customers to create and maintain new services as part of the Service Catalog.
But let’s break it down. A good example of a catalog-driven approach is a QuadPlay solution. A Quadplay offering comprises four different types of services. It offers a mobile bundle, with its associated resources (a SIM card and phone and a fixed service) and other services ( such as a mailbox, data or minute bonuses), and a fixed bundle with three associated services:
Internet access (the basis of everything else)
A fixed voice service
A TV service
In the figure above, we can see the Customer Facing Services on the left, and the technical solution (RFS) on the right. For the customer, this quadplay offers a complete service, with its corresponding devices, an Internet access point, phone line, etc. From the catalog side, there is an FTTH service and an online postpaid mobile service that triggers its corresponding actions to register these services on the network.
Everything related to the physical devices is not covered by this technical solution. Since these devices are physical products, the only thing the catalog needs is their attributes so they can be sent to the service provision of the solution.
This quadplay can serve as a great example of how to build a commercial bundle combining different elements which have already been developed and are ready to be provisioned in the network. In the previous figure, we can see the standard way this Quadplay solution would work, yet, this is not the only possibility.
On top of this pre-established solution, the customer can make whatever combinations they see fit. All they will need to do is to make configurations and reconfigurations of these settings. For instance, let’s say the company decides to create a new bundle that offers only a mobile line and Internet. The person responsible for creating the technical solution would only need to establish relationships between the different elements to combine the necessary specifications related to the new bundle. Consequently, this translates into less human resources needed, and less time wasted on time-consuming and costly operations. In other words, this is a simple, fast, and effective way to boost any telco’s business by simplifying their operations and processes.
This kind of Catalog-driven solutions have several benefits. Foremost, they are essential to reduce the Time-To-Market and OPEX of any telco. The most profitable aspect that this solution triggers is the streamlined creation of new commercial bundles, which can both attract new customers and keep old customers engaged.
