How can the eTOM framework help service providers in today's marketplace?

Abstract

One of the most interesting and valuable initiatives of the TeleManagement Forum (http://www.tmforum.org) for Information and Communications Service Providers (ICSP), is the definition and development of the enhanced Telecom Operations Map® (eTOM) Business Process Framework [1], [2], [3]. In this paper we cover three main aspects: ○ Description of the eTOM, its background, & the recent B2B enhancements for Information and Communications Service Providers (ICSPs); ○ How the eTOM may be used, including case studies; ○ The future challenges for the eTOM Framework covering: enhancements to the eTOM to take account of the changing ICT (Information Communication and Technology) market; Impact of Next Generation Networking Technologies; and the move towards service based ICT business models. Moreover details will be provided on the changes that will be necessary as the model matures and evolves toward the use of second generation Business Process Modeling principles [4]. The eTOM was developed within TeleManagement Forum (TMF) in the Fall 2000 -Spring 2002 timeframe, and was approved by TMF in June 2002. The eTOM framework (v 3.6) was submitted to ITU-T in September 2003. This presentation has been prepared by two members of the TMF eTOM team, with the approval of the TeleManagement Forum. We would like to acknowledge that the work has been a team effort from some of the most relevant talents representing all geographic regions, service providers, system integrators, consultants, defense organizations, independent software vendors and network equipment vendors. Without such a broad range of knowledge and talent an endeavor of this complexity could not have be tackled successfully.