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| 2003.01.29 |
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"Integrated core business support system - Linux version" sales launch
Realization of business efficiency and cost reduction of installations and operations for CATV companies
On February 3, the NTT COMWARE CORPORATION (hereinafter, NTT COMWARE, Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Yuji Matsuo) will launch sales of the "Integrated core business support system - Linux version", a system which supports business efficiency and quick management decisions with the consolidated management of data centering on customer information, targeted to cable television (hereinafter, CATV) companies. By adopting the Linux in the system's OS, stability and high security are assured while installation and operation costs relating to the system's hard and software are reduced.
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[Product characteristics]
The "Integrated core business support system – Linux version", a system that offers total support from service reception to receiving of work orders and confirmations of billings and payment receipts, has adopted the open source Linux in its main server OS, which comprises its system. By adopting the Linux, which inherits the assets of the UNIX, it assures excellence in its network functions and stability as well as high security intensity. Also, as there is no presence of a specific vendor as the source of the OS, system providers such as NTT COMWARE are able to use the Linux and freely construct and operate systems of service quality to match the user's needs as well as realizing system constructions at low costs. Furthermore, with the technical advantages and the price reductions of PC servers that serves as alternates for UNIX machines, based on comparisons conducted by our company, an approximate 50% cost reduction has been realized in the installation costs.
[Product functions]
Centering on "customer information" handled by CATV companies by associating the various data such as "work information" and "price information", it promotes work flow of the sequence of business from service reception at contact centers; work execution by tie-up companies; various subscriber terminal control; initiation tests; and billing and payment receptions of surcharges and work charges, as well as making speedy and flexible customer service possible. Furthermore, by being able to comprehend management matters such as subscription situations by area and financial data on demand, it makes possible quick management decisions such as establishments and executions of new services. Also, the "Automatic electric faults list preparation function (*1)", which with the linkage of map information and customer information enables the understanding of core infrastructure conditions at a glance; widely deals with everything from the extraction work of execution areas; and identifies the target customers of electromagnetic radiation provision work; and the formulation of strategic business investments plans based on information of potential subscribers. Apart from this, typical advanced functions such as the "Customer information input support function (*2)" and the "Transfer contractant linkage function (*3)" are also provided.
[Future expansions]
At NTT COMWARE, with the installation of the "Integrated core business support system", it not only supports the smooth business operations of CATV companies, but it also supports the establishments of new management measures such as the analyzing and mining of various accumulated data. Also, offering of solutions that meet the situations surrounding the CATV industry such as IP telephones that apply the CATV network, contact centers using VoIP technology, and broadband portal platforms (*4) will also be pursued. In the future, NTT COMWARE plans to sell its "Integrated core business support system – Linux version" through its local group companies as well as through various channels such as distribution sales agencies.
[Development background]
With the progress of the digital era, CATV companies which are leaders in community-based information services are changing their roles and are becoming providers of interactively diversified services integrating broadcasting and telecommunications. In order for CATV companies to exert their advantages as well as obtain and capture customers, the establishment of a strong foundation is necessary to achieve a smooth business operation. On receiving such demands from the market, NTT COMWARE launched sales of the UNIX version "Integrated core business support system" in June of 2002.
[Undertakings regarding Linux]
NTT COMWARE, with its achievements and know how in the construction and operation of massive IT solutions, represented by its work with the NTT network, as well as with its multi-vendor character, has positioned itself for providing total Linux solutions from consulting to choosing of optimum hardware and/or distributions suited to the customers' size and business as an important pillar of its business.
[Glossary]
- *1 Automatic electric faults list preparation function
- Just by selecting the electric faults action area on the electric map screen, the family name information of the corresponding area will be automatically retrieved and the system will automatically prepare an electric faults action list. Compared to the conventional process where the information was transcribed from blank maps, the efficiency and accuracy of the process will dramatically improve. (Patent pending)
- *2 Customer information input support function
- The family name information (text data) is searched on the electric map from the address given by the customer when registering the initial reception information of the customer. That information is automatically inputted into the system. With this, not only are inputting errors prevented, but a dramatic reduction in the information inputting process is made possible.
- *3 Transfer contractant linkage function
- A specific virtual account number is allotted to each individual contractant who conducts payment by bank transfer and this function automatically conducts negation of billing amounts from the payment receipt results. With this, determination of the transfer contractant is made possible without having the customer input his/her name at the time of transfer, thus simplifying the negation process. (Patent pending)
- *4 Broadband portal platform
- This is the software platform developed and provided by NTT COMWARE, which supports web service site construction and in addition to animated image, the transmission is equipped with functions such as contents registration, management, search, and community formations. Construction examples include moving image communities, remote education models using moving images, and advertisement and PR sites.
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