Efficient Networks' Advanced Provisioning Manager (APM) is designed to enable web-based deployment of multi-service, next generation network services.

by Wayne Kawamoto [June 27, 2001]

Efficient Networks, Inc., a wholly-owned Siemens (NYSE: SI) subsidiary, announced general availability of Advanced Provisioning Manager (APM), a Web-enabled provisioning and service management software platform that is designed to facilitate the real-time deployment of multi-service, next generation network services.

According to the company, APM integrates with legacy networks and operational support systems to simplify the complex task of creating and managing services across multiple data network interconnections that rely on equipment from multiple vendors and utilize varying protocols.

APM offers three core capabilities:

• Web-enabled provisioning
• multi-vendor, multi-protocol network management
• service management

Web-enabled provisioning gives data customers the ability to manage ATM and private line networks. APM facilitates network management by letting users access networks, backbone networks and network inter-working gateways; and manage circuits end-to-end across customer premise equipment.

According to Efficient Networks, comprehensive service management is streamlined with APM by its ability to control a variety of TDM, ATM and DSL network equipment, which should allow for the automatic provisioning and management of equipment in existing or planned networks.

Efficient says that APM, a middleware component, should simplify the development of, and subscription to, a wide range of next generation services such as switched virtual circuits, bandwidth-on-demand and video-on-demand. With APM's Web interface, the company claims that these tasks may be completed in seconds, instead of the weeks previously required.

"With APM, service providers can create or enable their customers to create-customized packages of next generation services," says Dr. Clyde Musgrave, VP & General Manager, Efficient's services management business. "In so doing, APM can be leveraged to differentiate service offerings, facilitate the capture of market share and derive new revenue streams. Equally important, the solution achieves these benefits while protecting legacy back-end systems such as order entry, provisioning and billing applications."

"In this dynamic communications market, the ISPs continue to refine their business models seeking ways to leverage their existing infrastructure to generate incremental revenue and reduce costs," added Musgrave. "The suite of software solutions offered by the services management business enable service providers to create innovative services for their customers while also streamlining their operational processes and reducing their existing service costs."

Availability and pricing
Advanced Provisioning Manager is available now. Pricing is based on numerous pricing models.

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