At the start of a Next Generation Network (NGN) transformation, telecoms operators often focus on defining the network architecture. However, the need to define the systems architecture should not be underestimated or undervalued. The systems’ capabilities are often the key enablers for the desired customer experience. They also deliver the management information a business requires to operate effectively. Defining and agreeing a functional architecture will facilitate a smoother, quicker migration from multiple legacy systems to a strategic systems roadmap.
Challenge:
For a European incumbent telecoms operator, a multitude of legacy systems and lack of architecture or strategy for NGN systems created additional complexity for the transformation. This complexity delayed the programme and added unnecessary risk.
Solution:
BT Telconsult provided a team of consultants with in-depth knowledge of the IT strategy and architecture adopted for the BT NGN solution. Interviews and operational visits were made to produce an initial assessment of legacy systems and validate the existing IT functional strategy. This was followed by a series of intensive workshops to develop a functional architecture and future roadmap to support business needs and objectives in an all-IP NGN environment.
Benefit:
Benefitting from BT’s first-hand experience of developing an NGN functional architecture, the client was able to accelerate the development of a strategic systems roadmap. This saved the client significant time and cost, and provided the momentum to form alignment with other areas of the transformation, including process architecture and portfolio simplification.
