Comarch Inventory Management - Product Whitepaper

Product Whitepaper

Comarch OSS Suite

Inventory Management

Comarch OSS Suite


Product Whitepaper

Copyright 2008 Comarch S.A. Confidential

2

Version Date Modified by Comment

0.1 2003.01.30 Magorzata Kwatera Document creation

0.2 2003.07.31 Magorzata Kwatera Document update

1.0 2003.12.12 Magorzata Kwatera Document review and update after major changes in Inventory functionality

1.1 2004.02.10 Magorzata Kwatera Minor changes





3.0 2006.07.10 Micha Zajczkowski Template, layout and type change.

Rebranding.



Document identification WP_030130_INV_312MKK_01

Version 3.2

Revised on 2007.03.30

Number of pages 20

Status Confidential

Author Comarch S.A.

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2000-2008 Comarch S.A.

All rights reserved.

No part of this document may be copied, distributed, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any human or computer language without the prior written permission of Comarch S.A. The manufacturer has made every effort to ensure that the instructions contained in the documents are adequate and free of errors and omissions. The manufacturer's liability for any errors in the documents is limited to the correction of the errors. The manufacturer reserves rights to change the documents without notice. Some parts of the documents may not follow the current version of the software.

The documents have been prepared to be used by professional and properly trained personnel, and the customer assumes full responsibility when using them. The manufacturer welcomes customer comments as part of the process of continual development and improvement of the documentation in the best way possible from the user's viewpoint. Please submit your comments to:

[email protected].

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction............................................................................................................ 5

2. Functionality ........................................................................................................... 5

2.1. Multi-layer information model .......................................................................... 5

2.2. History tracking ................................................................................................ 6

2.3. Auto-discovery and reconciliation .................................................................... 6

2.4. Network planning.............................................................................................. 7

2.5. Inventory-Based Billing .................................................................................... 7

2.6. Service Inventory ............................................................................................. 7

2.7. Inventory and Console Tools ............................................................................ 7

2.8. Wizards and templates ..................................................................................... 8

2.9. Functional components shared with Comarch OSS Suite ...............................10

3. Data presentation .................................................................................................11

3.1. Inventory View ................................................................................................11

3.2. Geographical View ...........................................................................................12

3.3. Logical View .....................................................................................................13

3.4. Hierarchical View .............................................................................................13

3.5. Table View .......................................................................................................14

3.6. Floor Plan .........................................................................................................15

3.7. Reports and statistics ......................................................................................15

3.8. Bookmarks .......................................................................................................16

3.9. Common Comarch OSS Suite configuration....................................................17

3.9.1. Language......................................................................................................17

3.9.2. Themes.........................................................................................................17

4. Administration .......................................................................................................18

4.1. Users ................................................................................................................18

4.2. Profiles and privileges .....................................................................................19

4.3. Various levels of access to application............................................................19

4.4. Configurator.....................................................................................................19

5. Technology ............................................................................................................20

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1. Introduction

Comarch OSS Inventory Management is designed to store complete information on the networks resources and to enable new and innovative ways of not only fully utilizing the

networks potential, but also of increasing the efficiency of network operations. Comarch OSS

Inventory Management is one of the crucial modules of Comarch OSS Suite. It constitutes the basis for other modules that operate using data collected and stored in its database. This

modules integration with other Comarch OSS Suite components provides further functionality by enabling the sharing and exchange of complex data.

The crucial functionality of Comarch OSS Inventory is management and planning of telecommunication/IT network, both last-mile and backbone network. It concerns performing

operations regarding modeling links, planning and designing equipment and its configuration,

assigning and controlling addressing and numbering resources and preparing required types of reports.

The Inventory Management supports automatic and manual data modification. Thanks to the network reconciliation module, the Inventory Management keeps the stored information up

to date with the changes occurring in the network. The Inventory Management also enables full

visualization of a telecommunications network, and all the equipment installed within. Both physical and logical network links can be displayed in a way that conforms to the ITU-T G.805

specification.

2. Functionality

2.1. Multi-layer information model

Inventory data is represented within multi-layer information model. The layers represent both physical and logical information of managed network, e.g.

Physical network resources

racks, shelves, slots, cards, ports, etc.,

administrative divisions, routers, switches, etc.,

cellular networks equipment, transmission networks equipment,

PSTN equipment, others,

Infrastructure Layer physical copper cables ,

fiber optic cables (they usually contain a structure of strands), pipes,

manholes,

radio, others,

Physical Connections Layer

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this layer is built over the Infrastructure layer and is used to represent electrical or

optical end-to-end connections set-up over strands in physical cables (optical or electrical),

Digital transmission layers

SDH/SONET: STM-n, VC-4, VC-12, OC-n,

PDH: E1, T1,

Telephony layer trunks, subscriber lines,

IP-related layers Datalink: LAN segments, VLANs,

MPLS: Tunnels, VPNs, IP: networks, VPNs, VRFs,

GSM/UMTS-related layers

ATM and FR layers

and many more.

The main idea of multi-layer data model in Inventory Management is to represent the

same equipment and connections in several layers, depending on the technology they use.

Technology specific information is always included in the dedicated layer which gives consistent view of the network for the operator and in the same time does not provide overflow of

information. With this idea, the system can store all various levels of network information and present only what is needed at the moment.

2.2. History tracking

All Inventory objects (equipment, connections, numbering resources etc.) are stored with full

history of changes which enables always track changes in data. Inventory Management enables visualization of the network state in the past. A new history entry is made in three cases:

Object creation the first history entry is made,

Object modification for each modification a new entry is added,

Object removal the last history entry is made.

2.3. Auto-discovery and reconciliation

Inventory Management keeps the stored information up to date with the changes

occurring in the network thanks to auto-discovery and reconciliation functionality. It enables to confirm the new devices that came into the system and check whether the base is accurate or not

with the current inventory list.

Auto-discovery tool covers the following inventory reconciliation functionalities:

Adding new Network Element to the Inventory database, Removing existing Network Element from the Inventory database,

Updating the Inventory database due to:

changing cards, ports, etc. in the Network Element , removing cards, ports, etc. from Network Element ,

adding new cards, ports, etc. to Network Element , changing status of the interfaces in the Network Element .

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2.4. Network planning

Inventory Management allows future object planning support, i.e. is able to store future

changes in the equipment, switches configuration, connections, etc. Plans are executed or applied by the system logic which means the changes in the objects or new objects creation actually take

place and planned objects become active objects in the Inventory system. Inventory Management

enables visualization of the network state in the future.

2.5. Inventory-Based Billing

The Inventory-Based Billing functionality enables operator to accurately calculate

customer charges for inventory products and services, e.g. equipment, locations, connections, capacity. The Billing is able to calculate charges for services leased from another operator

(vendor) and resold (with profit) to customer and to generate invoices.

2.6. Service Inventory

Service Inventory further extends Network Inventory functionality and enables advanced modeling of services. Services are stored in the system together with their mutual

dependencies (client/server services) and their dependencies upon resources in the Network Inventory (devices, connections, and others). Service templates are created and modified from

the system GUI and thats why new services can be introduced to the system on-the-fly in a

very flexible way.

2.7. Inventory and Console Tools

Inventory and Console Tools allow user-friendly management of important objects used

in the application.

Console Tools menu consists of tools used for:

Creating templates for Logical View and Shapes (Logical View),

Creating templates (Reports Management, Charts), Editing Symbols and Links,

Searching for objects, encrypting passwords and notifying users of various actions/events

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Inventory Tools enable users to create and modify objects. The most important

Inventory Tools are described below.

New Inventory Object

This tool launches object creation wizard (cf. 2.8).

User Template Object

Templates are used during preparation of a new inventory using object wizard. By means of this tool the user is able to define his/her own template (cf. 2.8).

Delete object

This tool enables removing a chosen inventory object and the user can decide which

related objects should be left or deleted.

Dictionaries

Dictionaries are structures designed for storing often used and rather constant data. To increase usability of interface, data from dictionaries usually is presented as lists of values to be

chosen, so there is no need to introduce it manually.

Hierarchies

This tool displays master categories and corresponding subcategories (sub hierarchies).

Layers

This tool provides the user a complete list of telecommunication layers defined in the system.

2.8. Wizards and templates

Object creation, modification, deletion, auto-discovery, phone number management,

planning and other operations in the system are executed thanks to wizards. Wizards provide all flexibility to the user in terms of performed actions but in the same time do not allow for

inconsistent manipulation of data.

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New objects are created within object creation wizard, which enables defining all

attributes and necessary referential object, like path details for connections or detailed elements (cards, ports) for equipment.

The same object can be created within different types of wizards, so called templates.

The user is able to define his/her own template and decide which attributes of object should be mandatory, which will be predefined and if they should have any constant value. Within template,

it is also possible to define which sub-elements (shelves, cards, ports, etc.) can be created

together with equipment creation.

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2.9. Functional components shared with Comarch OSS Suite

Inventory Management is one of the modules of Comarch OSS Suite a set of

management tools for IT and telecommunication networks. There are several functional components that Inventory Management has in common with the whole platform:

Operators Console Graphical User Interface of the system, Administration and Authorization Tools (users privileges, new accounts creation etc.),

Reporting Service, FireFly Reasoning Engine,

Configurator.

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3. Data presentation

Comarch OSS Inventory can display network elements in several different ways which can be adjusted to meet individual requirements. Comarch OSS Inventory module is capable of

displaying network elements and/or geographical map elements in several layers. This function

allows users to freely choose appropriate layer(s) to be used for network presentation, and provides them with a clear view that fully serves their needs. The views can be modified to meet

the users individual needs (e. g. select presentation design, define colors, choose icons and determine the scope of information to be displayed). The user has also a possibility to switch

between the views directly (from the context menu) without the need to open other views from

the main console window.

3.1. Inventory View

Inventory View is the most universal view of Comarch OSS Inventory. It provides knowledge about all attributes (simple attributes, relational attributes, list attributes) of objects

(equipment, links) in Inventory Database. The Inventory View look&feel (visibility of columns and

tabs, etc.) are fully configurable by the user. Inventory View enables switching to other Views described below or to another window of Inventory View with another object details.

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3.2. Geographical View

Geographical View enables displaying inventory objects (equipment, links) upon vector and raster maps. While Inventory Management is integrated with Fault Management, alarms can

be displayed directly within Geographical View assigned to location and equipment. The icons for displaying different types of equipment on the maps can be configured by the user. Geographical

View can be integrated with GIS functionality, but it is not necessary.

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3.3. Logical View

Logical View enables displaying equipment and connections without map background

and geographical coordinates. Logical View enables presenting current situation in network as well as allows designing a planned configuration. Diagrams can be composed of elements like

tables, graphical shapes, which do not have relations to inventory objects and also of elements

with defined relations to inventory objects from database. Logical View allows for exporting created diagrams to MS Visio.

3.4. Hierarchical View

Hierarchical View enables displaying hierarchy of objects. Within the system there may be many different hierarchies defined, e.g. hierarchy of switches, hierarchy of

equipment/cards/ports, GSM hierarchy etc.

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3.5. Table View

Table View is similar to Inventory View, however with less functionality. It enables quick

browsing through Inventory objects in order to find interesting object(s) which then can be displayed with other views (usually Inventory View or Hierarchical View).

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3.6. Floor Plan

Floor Plan enables displaying precise location of equipment in the building on different

floors.

3.7. Reports and statistics

Reporting Service is capable of creating complex reports on current and historical data. Creating reports with the Reporting Service of Comarch OSS Suite is easy and quick. Reporting

Service is based upon SQL engine which enables creating reports concerning all possible data gathered in the database of the system. However, the underlying SQL engine is hidden to the

user so it is not necessary to be familiar with SQL in order to create reports and templates.

Reporting Service is provided with a standard set of report templates. Customer- and solution-specific templates are defined during the phase of analysis and also provided. It is also

possible for system operators to create their own custom reports and report templates and modify the existing ones, using a user-friendly report wizard. Reports can contain sub-reports enabling

drilling down into details.

The results of the reports may be visualized either in the form of graphs of different

types (pie, bars, lines, polar, bubbles etc.) or in the form of text (tables) or both. User can add

static text and graphical objects to reports. Simple graphical object (lines, rectangles) can be drawn directly on reports, more complicated graphical object (e.g. company logo) can be inserted

from graphical files.

During the search it is possible to use all the parameters at once, and to use logical

expressions built on the basis of these parameters. It is also possible to create all sorts of

statistics. The reports can be printed out or exported to .html .pdf. .txt and .jpg formats.

Reports can be also scheduled and generated reports can be accessed.

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3.8. Bookmarks

The Bookmark term means a link to source object created by user (view, report) or to a

tool available in console. Bookmarks are organized as the Bookmark tree. The Bookmark tree is a structure composed of tools and views defined in a system and grouped into folders.

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3.9. Common Comarch OSS Suite configuration

3.9.1. Language

The user can choose the language used by the software. It is possible to change

languages on-the-fly. Language versions are defined during the analysis phase depending on individual needs of the company.

3.9.2. Themes

The user can choose the appearance of window display (color, motif and window style). In the Look&Feel part the style of window display can be defined, including the icons, tool bars,

tabs, etc.

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4. Administration

4.1. Users

The Authorization Module is responsible for authenticating and authorizing the users of

Comarch OSS Suite. Each login to Comarch OSS console requires successful authentication, also access to some parts of the system functionality requires successful authorization. Both of these

operations are processed using the Authorization Module functionality and their success depends on it.

Administrator creates new users in a special form.

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4.2. Profiles and privileges

Administrator may grant user access rights by profile system. Profile is the set of access

rights, which after creation may be assigned to users. Advantage of profiles is easier administration. In case of changing the rights of the profile it applies to group of users with this

profile. In addition each user may have one or more profiles. This makes possible to grant or disqualify the user from the access right even to single form.

4.3. Various levels of access to application

The application provides various levels of access to data. Particular users are organized in access groups. The groups have defined privileges in the system (e.g. administrators, users,

privileged users, etc.). This functionality is incorporated in the Comarch OSS Suite.

4.4. Configurator

The Configurator component is the heart of the Comarch OSS Suite, without it system

will not work. Comarch OSS Suite is a distributed system but it requires a little centralization to achieve some functionality. The Configuration Registry is a repository of configurations for

components and handlers for currently running components.

With the graphical interface of configurator, administrator can monitor the status of

components and configure them, using either graphical or XML editor.

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5. Technology

Comarch OSS Inventory Management System uses Oracle or Microsoft SQL database.

The architecture of the system consists of:

The processing mechanism + database (the source of data), The modules of Comarch OSS Suite (Framework, Reporting Service, Reasoning Engine,

Administration Tools, Configurator).

All the modules use a common graphic interface, and the divisions among them are

invisible to the user.

Comarch Inventory Management - Product Whitepaper

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