Increased competitiveness through component technology for element management systems

Element management represents a necessary cost associated with all network devices. Isolated development of element management systems (EMSs) for diverse network device products results in replication of effort on common low-level aspects. This effort spent re-inventing the wheel affects cost-effectiveness and drains resources from features that reduce customer cost of ownership and operation. Reduced cost of EMS development and reduced operations expenditure for the customer can significantly contribute to competitiveness of the managed device itself. The Navis' element management framework (EMF) program addresses the cost-effectiveness of EMS development through a platform approach utilizing a components architecture and Bell Labs software tools together with high-productivity technologies such as J2EE{*}/EJB,{*} XML, Java,{*} and CORBA.{*} Use of a platform for aspects common across EMSs allows each development to focus on product-specific value-added features, while also facilitating common look-and-feel and integration of EMS products with current and next-generation operations support systems (OSSs) for seamless end-to-end network and service management. The benefits to service providers include faster time-to-market for new services and reduced training and integration costs. (C) 2003 Lucent Technologies Inc.