There is a clear move towards smaller projects, with shorter timescales and reduced risk for operators with individual use case-based solutions and adjunct systems seen as the most effective way to overhaul BSS, according to Openet.
This is based on a survey of more than 100 operator-respondents that highlights a change in operators’ BSS (business support systems) transformation strategies.
The study reveals the main reason that operators are transforming BSS is to provide the platform to develop, deliver and monetize new digital services. The survey showed that the traditional method of a “big bang” approach to transformation is now seen as the least effective approach to transformation.
Also, the survey reveals that an adjunct systems approach — the switch to real-time charging as an adjunct to existing billing systems — is seen as having significantly shorter timescales than traditional transformation projects. This has led to 46% of operators forecasting this approach as taking six to 12 months, with 42% looking to implement within three to six months.
The use cases which were deemed most likely to have individual solutions were VoLTE charging and quality of service, management, intelligent upsell, real-time usage alerts, sponsored data and shared data.
Historically transformation projects have been lengthy, expensive and have had a high failure rate. The impact of failed BSS projects is felt mostly in marketing and product development.
“While the likes of Google, Netflix and Amazon forge ahead to digital transformation, operators are encumbered by legacy systems,” said Barry Marron, GVP of marketing at Openet. “It’s now imperative that operators can access and use real-time automated systems, becoming truly data-driven.”