How cloud-based BSS is driving return on Service Innovation
Industries across every sector are in the midst of a digital transformation to keep current with improving technologies for clients and partners. Communication services providers (CSP) are no exception as they face the modernization of their infrastructure to ensure continuity of service to subscribers.
Many CSPs are adopting the cloud-based managed services provider model for cost efficiency and leveraging customizable new technologies. Due to their multiple legacy hardware and software components, upgrading the operations support system (OSS) and business support systems (BSS) to a cloud-based provider requires strategic planning for a successful outcome. The end result is improved reliability, scalability, and substantial IT cost savings.
Why Transition to Cloud-Native OSS/BSS Services
Transitioning OSS/BSS to a cloud-based, automated, integrated system brings a wealth of advantages and savings.
Use of containerized microservices
Containerized microservices use a modular design that allows the use of various programming languages, applications, and other services that are individually built and deployed without affecting others in the cloud. A recent survey showed that 64% of communications and media companies believe that microservices architecture will be required for new systems within two years. This container configuration allows services to be started, stopped, and restarted independently without affecting the entire infrastructure.
Elimination of upgrade costs
The cost of upgrading and replacing cumbersome physical hardware is eliminated as operations are scalable in the cloud.
Today’s managed cloud partners use a layered approach to cybersecurity with highly controlled access, keeping unauthorized partners, vendors, and employees from accessing areas that are off-limits to them.
Use of analytics and big data
Moving to the cloud enables CSPs to remain competitive and use analytics to effectively price and manage services based on traffic projections. Big data is more effectively used to optimize network costs as well as predict additional potential revenue-generating opportunities.
The Road to OSS/BSS Digitization
The following is a general roadmap used to prepare for the rollout of a cloud-based microservices model.
· Determine which processes can be automated. Transitioning services that will not benefit from operating in the cloud can prove wasteful in the long run.
· Since legacy and cloud-based systems will have to run parallel during the transition, ensuring interoperability is crucial to prevent outages.
· Use industry-standard tools and components to avoid locking in with proprietary vendor technologies. Using standard DevOps and NetOps tools provides seamless integration and allows future modifications as needed.
· Ensure that the system architecture is designed for easy scalability to permit efficient expansions and reductions in services without affecting performance.
· Verify that all OSS transformation solutions and virtual components support REST APIs for seamless integration and the implementation of future third-party modules. These APIs efficiently connect with partners, internal teams, and independent developers securely.
The Ideal Digitized OSS/BSS Platforms
The Next-gen digital OSS/BSS platforms will ideally have the following characteristics.
· Focus on highly automated digital channels for exceptional customer interactions offering complete commerce and customer management solutions.
· Ease of integration with additional present and future platforms as demand increases.
· Faster time-to-market for new products and services. A product catalogue allows newly transitioned digital CSPs to bring services to market quicker using Centralized Product Management.
· Deployment of updates by DevOps in less than one hour and reduce troubleshooting time from 5–15 days to eight hours.
· Chatbot integration that automatically manages social media feeds and can respond to common customer queries.
Conclusion
Transitioning legacy OSS/BSS systems to the cloud is essential to keep pace with today’s digital communication advances and subscriber demand. The resulting benefits of scalability, innovative cost-effective solutions, and improved customer experiences are pushing more CSPs to modernize.
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