A provisioning management system for networks helps to oversee the most important facets of preparing, equipping, and maintaining services for new and existing customers. Provisioning refers to the business-wide configuration, deployment, and management of different resources within an IT system – resources that need to effectively be managed to reduce customer churn and increase profits. In the past, the provisioning process hasn’t been maintained through a management system, but rather manually maintained. This takes too long and can have too many errors that frustrate customers and team members. A provisioning management system will monitor both user and customer access rights and privacy while ensuring that security is the primary focus.
A provisioning management system fixes the biggest problem telecommunications companies face: human error. There is a potential for human error at all stages of the pipeline, from customer service calls to truck rollouts for maintenance. By taking the steps to install a provisioning management system, companies will reduce the level of human error and streamline the entire process. Businesses will also reduce costs and improve efficiencies, allowing for more development and innovation.
Why Provisioning Management Systems Are Necessary For Automation
Almost all telecommunications companies are moving toward more automation within their systems. One of the natural places to start is through a provisioning management system. Automation helps with more accuracy within the provisioning process, ensuring that all of the customer-facing actions and conversations are smooth and problem-free. Most company leaders are hesitant to put provisioning management systems in place because they haven’t tried them before now – but now is the time for that innovation. Now is the time to put the system in place.
For those who are still hesitant, think about the installation process for a new customer. Before provisioning configuration starts, the company needs to determine endpoints and the VLANs for fiber connections. This information must be recorded and used for future information – including information about SAP configurations (lag number, VLAN, ingress policy, egress policy, for example), record customer-specific information into the PTSN gateway or stand-alone SIP, updating ONT firmware and ensuring it is initiated properly, and more. Not only does this information need to be recorded accurately, but it also needs to be kept safe and applied to different situations where it can be used. Within this process, companies who use manual information gathering tend to make mistakes that can cause frustration for customers and even total breakdown of systems.
Even after installation, this information is relevant whenever customers need support. If they want to add specific services, cut back on services, or change what they have, this information needs to be readily available. When a customer calls in for service, the customer service representative should be able to see a bird’s eye view of information that is accurate and easy for them to articulate to the customer. With a provisioning management system, all of the information is neatly arranged, easy to access, and simple to explain.
With all of the benefits associated with installing a provisioning management system, the most significant benefit for many telecom companies is the integration into the billing system. Billing mistakes are often the most frustrating for clients (especially if they are not in their favor) and can cause churn.
Provisioning Management System for FTTx Deployments
Installing a provisioning management system for FTTx deployments can be the best way for businesses to stay on top of the latest trends. The FTTx deployments we see have been built by existing utilities and municipalities, but they are no built to handle the unique demands associated with provisioning, provisioning management, and the customer load. Using these existing systems without the support of a provisioning management system can lead to even more human error and bottlenecks as problems emerge. With a provisioning management system in place, it is possible to accurately manage FTTx deployments remotely. It will reduce the amount of workforce used, cut down on mistakes, and decrease the rate of customer churn. All in all, the entire process goes more smoothly for everyone involved.
With ETI’s provisioning management system, providers can succeed with FTTx deployments, no matter what stage of the lifecycle they are in currently. Provisioning management systems address management, work orders, device inventory, and prospect tracking to increase the number of subscribers. A provisioning management system allows for the oversight of dashboards, managers, and teams can easily see service ratings, subscribers, and services while also looking at work orders, devices, and end-user billing. Companies that utilize this provisioning management system will have access to unrivaled tools for the design, construction, and maintenance of passive optical networks.
Provisioning Management Systems for OTT Authentication
Provisioning management for OTT authentication helps customers who want to watch their favorite shows on a device that isn’t a television – a tablet, a phone, or a laptop. They want access to this content at all times at the click of a button, without restrictions. Historically, it has been difficult for service providers to manage these experiences and to ensure that the people accessing content are actually the ones paying the bills.
With ETI’s Service Management Platform, provisioning managers will be able to:
- Monitor users to ensure only subscribers gain access;
- Integrate across multiple screens without costly conversions
ETI offers the only real-time subscriber authentication platform for provisioning management. It supports live streaming directly through the content provider allowing the service provider to gain the opportunity to protect valuable assets with real-time activation and deactivations while seamlessly integrating them into the billing system. In addition, the solution works with legacy back-office systems and subscriber portals for overall management.
ETI provides B/OSS integration, service management, customer-owned device registration, administration, and provisioning of streaming video services originating from a service provider under the provisioning management umbrella.
When combined with third-party cloud-based authentication platforms, authorized subscribers will have instantaneous access to OTT videos streamed from a long list of content providers.
Subscribers are able to do most of the work themselves, creating new user accounts and authenticating their information.
