Tech

Upgrade legacy BSS/OSS with modern cloud

Ismo Antikainen
February 29, 2024
5 min

Discover how integrating a Cloud Overlay can revolutionise your Telecom BSS/OSS systems, overcoming challenges, boosting efficiency, and extending the lifespan of your investments effortlessly.

Introduction to Cloud Overlay in Telecom

In the ever-evolving landscape of telecommunications, the integration of Cloud Overlay has emerged as a game-changer, propelling the efficiency and effectiveness of Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operational Support Systems (OSS) to new heights. Unlike traditional monolithic systems, a cloud overlay is a strategic layer that acts as an extension to the existing infrastructure. This addition significantly enhances agility, scalability, and adaptability, revolutionising the way telcos operate.

Challenges of Existing BSS/OSS Systems

The journey toward digital transformation has often been encumbered by the challenges presented by traditional BSS/OSS systems. Any alteration, even the introduction of new use cases, becomes an arduous endeavour, demanding extensive time and resources. The configurability limitations of these systems have resulted in rigid architectures, making it a herculean task to swiftly adapt to evolving customer demands. Additionally, the pricing structures inherent in these systems are characterised by their inflexibility, demanding the creation of new offers for every variation in pricing. These issues not only stall progress but also inflate operational costs, casting a shadow on telcos' potential to innovate and compete.

Benefits of Cloud Overlay in Telecom

1. Rapid Implementation and Integration

The cloud overlay approach injects a new level of innovation into the domain of BSS/OSS implementation. Unlike traditional methods that require extensive modifications and integrations, cloud overlays offer a streamlined process. With a focus on specific use cases, the integration timeline is shortened, taking just a few months to achieve end-to-end functionality. This accelerated pace enables telcos to address market demands swiftly adn roll out new services rapidly, outpacing the competition.

2. Resource Efficiency by Exploiting SaaS

One of the most appealing aspects of a cloud overlay is its ability to optimise resource utilisation. By harnessing the power of the cloud, telecom companies can start using  SaaS Services. This not only minimises the need for dedicated hardware resources but also slashes maintenance and operational costs. Cloud overlays empower companies to scale resources up or down as required, ensuring optimal performance without unnecessary overhead. The result is a leaner, more efficient operational environment that can swiftly respond to changing market dynamics.

3. Extending BSS/OSS Investment Lifespan

The cloud overlay strategy emerges as a true saviour for telcos seeking to maximise the return on their BSS/OSS investments. With minimal effort, a cloud overlay can extend the lifespan of existing systems, allowing companies to leverage their current infrastructure while enhancing it with the power of the cloud. This seamless integration facilitates the adoption of new technologies and services without disrupting ongoing operations. Telcos can adapt to evolving customer expectations, quickly deploy new offerings, and remain competitive, all while avoiding the upheaval of complete system overhauls.

Harnessing the Power - Case NXT:FWD

In a real-world scenario involving a leading telecom provider, NXT:FWD seamlessly integrated a cloud overlay solution to optimise the utilisation of the operator's existing CRM and OCS capabilities, resulting in the delivery of an innovative end-to-end solution. The telecom operator introduced a new digital channel (app) and a novel time-based mobile data offering featuring real-time dynamic pricing capabilities. Telecom provider was now able to implement pricing changes to targeted customer segments within seconds and publish them immediately to digital channel. Earlier, with just legacy BSS/OSS system capabilities this took weeks for telecom provider to implement adn coordinate all configuration changes to number of different systems.

This whole project of introducing the new digital channel was realised in 2 months, and without  any additional investments to telco’s BSS/OSS. Additionally number of new features and use cases were introduced in following months without a need for any new integrations. Thus making the NXT:FWD cloud overlay future proof and source of new innovation without lengthy and expensive development activities to BSS/OSS layer.

Summary: A Glimpse into the Future

In a telecom landscape driven by rapid technological advancements and ever-evolving customer expectations, the cloud overlay approach offers a lifeline for companies grappling with the challenges posed by traditional BSS/OSS systems. The benefits are multi-fold, from rapid implementation and integration to resource efficiency and investment longevity. By embracing the power of the cloud overlay, telcos can navigate the path of digital transformation with agility, staying ahead of the curve, and redefining the boundaries of what's possible.

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