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Buddy System of Application Interfaces...
Transcript of Buddy System of Application Interfaces...
• Introductions:– Crys Zima – Product Manager for Application Interfaces
– Tim Ott – IS Programming Manager for Application Interfaces
An Application Interface is an exchange of data between two computer applications.
Also known as software integration.
Most of our AI’s involve Customer Master passing data to a vendor application.
There are a lot of software products and telecom equipment on the market.
Wouldn’t it be nice if they all talked to each other?
Can you think of examples in your office where you are entering the same data into multiple systems?
Benefits of AI’s include:• Increased efficiency in your office• Better service for your customers• Increased quality resulting from automation• Time savings
MACC has seen increased interest/demand for AI’s in recent years.
We’ve invested time to develop a foundation that will allow for a variety of integrations.
MACC’s open architecture allows us to work with any vendor.
MACC can program to vendor Application Programming Interfaces (API’s).• An API is a document that describes “how” to communicate with vendor software.
MACC can communicate directly with telecom equipment (ex. switches, servers, routers).
MACC can help you if you want to develop your own in‐house solution.
Where possible, MACC develops our AI’s so they are reusable and flexible – minimizing implementation time.
A few of our original Customer Master integrations:• Directory Publishers• Directory Assistance• E911 Providers• LIDB/CNAM• INS PIC/DA• Credit Bureau (Experian)• Credit Card Processing • Pay Per View / Video On Demand Billing
MACC has integrations with the following mapping products:• Atlas• e‐Lation• iSpeed• M4/Work Force Manager• StellarRAD
Data flows from Customer Master to the Mapping system
Data Passed in mapping integrations:• Subscriber • Services (USP Code)• Plant • Equipment (available soon)• Typically match on service address
Dispatching Integration with Mapcom’sWorkforce Manager product• Service Order / Trouble Ticket data passed from CM to Mapcom for dispatching / truck rolls.
• Service Orders are created in CM, and only comments can be updated from Mapcom
• Trouble Tickets are created in CM, then can be updated / cleared in either system.
Service Automation Master (SAM) – MACC’s product for switch activation
SAM extracts data from Customer Master and sends commands to the switch.
Switches supported by SAM Provisioning:• Genband 1500• Lucent 5ESS• Metaswitch• Nortel DMS10• Siemens EWSD• Siemens DCO• MACC can program for other switches
Example – New Landline Install• CSR initiates a new install service order in Customer Master – Basic phone service with USP’s for Caller ID and Call Waiting
• CSR completes provisioning stage• SAM reads SO data, sends commands to switch, updates status of order, viewable in CM
• Real‐time
MACC is currently developing an integration with AP Max to auto‐provision enhanced voice mail, caller ID and conference calling features
SAM Audit – MACC’s product that will compare data in switch with data in Customer Master and report any differences.
Revenue Assurance ‐ Ensure customers are being billed for services received, and are receiving services for everything being billed.
Key items that can be audited:• Calling features based on USP codes• Carrier PICs• LEN (Line Equipment Number)• LCC (Line Class Codes)• Subscriber Groups• Persistent Profiles
Demand Audits• SAM Audit allows audit of a single line. Results displayed real time.
Batch Audits • SAM Audit can audit a group of numbers in a batch as a scheduled process. Results displayed on a report.
Switches supported by SAM Audit• Lucent 5ESS• Metaswitch• Siemens DCO• MACC can program for other switches
Example – Call Forwarding enabled in switch, but not being billed in CM• SAM Audit will recognize the difference and display on a report.
• User can make manual adjustments in either CM or on the switch.
Example – New Install Video Provisioning (head end):• CSR creates new install service order in Customer Master
• CSR completes Provisioning Stage• Application Interface reads SO data, sends commands to vendor software which provisions head‐end. Result viewable in CM.
Video Provisioning vendors (set top boxes)• Comcast• Motorola
We can reach out and provision set top boxes in subscriber homes. Add/remove channels, refresh box, disable box, etc.
Example ‐ New STB Install:• Technician on site at customer site• CSR selects a STB from AM inventory and assigns to a video network in Customer Master
• CSR completes provisioning stage• Application Interface sends commands and channels to provision STB real time in the subscriber’s home
Example ‐ Add HBO to existing STB• CSR accesses CM account, and the STB Maintenance screen
• CSR completes a service order stage• Application Interface sends commands and channels to provision STB real time
Example – Customer calls to say they are not receiving a channel• CSR accesses CM account, and the STB Maintenance screen
• CSR selects Refresh maintenance option• Application Interface sends commands and channels to refresh channels on STB real time
• No truck roll required
Example ‐ Global Refresh:• Company is adding three new HD channels to their expanded basic package
• Company selects USP(s) to be refreshed• Application Interface sends commands and channels to provision all STB’s that meet the criteria
Internet Server Provider (ISP) vendors:• Golden West• NeoNova• National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) – Under development
Example – New Install Internet Service:• CSR creates new install service order in Customer Master
• CSR completes Provisioning Stage• Application Interface reads SO data, sends subscriber and service data to Internet Service Provider to enable service
Example – New Install Internet Service:• CSR creates new install service order in Customer Master
• CSR completes Provisioning Stage• Application Interface reads SO data, sends user name & password to radius server for authentication
Wireless switches supported by SAM Provisioning:• Nokia• Alcatel Lucent 5060 (in development with 7Sigma)
Example – New Wireless Phone• CSR selects a cell phone from AM inventory and assigns to a cellular network in Customer Master
• CSR completes provisioning stage• SAM reads SO data, sends commands to wireless switch, updates status of order, viewable in CM
• Real‐time
Accounting Master• Developing integration with Mapcom’s M4 product to allow inventory to be reserved from the mapping system (work orders)
MACC’s strategic plans for the future:• Build our core network foundation so we can respond effectively to customer demand
• Telephone Network– Support additional switches for SAM Provisioning and SAM Audit
– AP Box provisioning• Internet Network
– Enhance existing NeoNova integration to accommodate more diverse functionality
MACC’s strategic plans for the future:• Video Network and STB Provisioning
– Upgrade Minerva platform based on customer request
– Develop a direct integration with Microsoft Mediaroom
– Enhance Motorola integration to include additional converter types, process special events, and support Impulse pay per view
MACC’s strategic plans for the future:• Wireless Network
– Support additional switches for SAM Provisioning– Develop interface with 7Sigma
• Equipment– Develop integration with Cisco router– Research and design integration with Calix equipment
What integrations would be useful for your company?
Any suggestions on where MACC should focus our integration efforts?
Contact your MACC Client Relations Manager or Account Manager
It is best if MACC is involved from the beginning. We can offer some advice based on our experience with AI’s.
Considerations:• Potential savings / quality / efficiency• MACC cost and vendor cost• Company requirements• Vendor requirements• Which way does data flow• What triggers integration• Workflow• Data requirements
AI projects typically involve a joint effort between the telecom, vendor and MACC.
Regularly scheduled conference calls to discuss issues and keep project moving.
Not all AI’s are created equal!
AI Project Phases• Prerequisites• Initiation/Discovery• Analysis & Design• Development/Programming• Vendor Testing• Customer Acceptance Testing• Installation/Support
Customer Testimonial (Columbus Telephone – Set Top Box provisioning with Motorola)
The A/I that MACC designed is literally the lifeblood of our digital cable TV system. All communication between us and our set top boxes in the field must take place through our MACC interface ‐ we have no other means of communication.
If you're eager to keep your operations and workflow as streamlined and simple as possible, investing in a custom application interface from MACC is undoubtedly the way to go.