ERM
Encapsulated Resource Management
Problem Description
- Our client needed to use Siebel for mastering the mobile contracts while still having mobile contracts on BSCS
- Challenge: Let the external system use the MSISDNs, SIM Cards while not disrupting the usage internally in BSCS and keep consistency
Answer: ERM
- ERM : Encapsulated Resource Management
- is designed to allow external systems use BSCS’s MSISDN and SIM Card resources in a consistent manner
- Employs resource pool concept for access restriction
- is an Oracle Stored Procedure Package with multiple functions
- features a user interface called : ERMGUI
- is TIBCO-enabled
- installs in a separate schema
- has extensive logging with log levels being controlled by dB configuration
ERM – Strengths
- system-agnostic approach & short time-to-market
- Allows BSCS resources to be used by any external system which masters contracts
- when the external systems use the proposed concepts of ERM, they can be operational in no time
- keeps BSCS dB consistent
- you can still have BSCS-mastered contracts while enjoying data model unity in BSCS
- high-performance top number handling
- ERM implements an out-of-the-box pattern based top number definition : 5 value classes / 21 number categories
- Top number patterns can be customized as per customer wishes
- external clients can search for a certain number category or value class and get unbelievably fast responses
- extensive logging & security
- ERM keeps a log of each and every transaction in the system helping operations teams greatly in problems analysis
- Logging / error reporting is controlled by dB configurration
- use of “select for update” to avoid any deadlocks therefore providing a responsive system
- Supports ordering and querying eSIMs
- search / reservation results stored in the database
- clearly understandable tables showing calling and returned parameters
- XML based return results are saved in the dB for future references
- out-of-the-box archiving procedures
- no more tablespace issues; main running tables are regularly archived to history tables
- support consecutive searches
- callers can request consecutive numbers to be found and returned
- thanks to carefully studied design, the performance of consecutive number returning queries are exceptional
- By utilizing this approach, a company can be given a full consecutive range of X numbers found anywhere in the entire database
- high performance and operations-friendly
- average response time of msecs even in complex searches
- unified error messages across several functions
ERM – Strengths
- Extensive ERM add-ons delivered as part of the package
- archiving jobs are delivered out of the box
- regularly running analysis reports is delivered as part of the package
- reports running daily, weekly, monthly and yearly and sending the analysis results to operations personnel are part of the delivery
- clear and visual statistics reports that can be delivered regularly to upper management via email
- Graphical User Interface is available
- a graphical interface usable by the CSRs as well as the error handling or operations teams
- internal ERMGUI user management unaligned with BSCS
- each and every operation of each user is logged for security purposes
- proven in production environment
- ERM is in productive use since Nov.2011 in one of our clients
- strong and dedicated third level support & professional services
- a focused team of professionals work on the info requests and reported issues round the clock
- professional services team available for any needed customizations
ERM – Intended Use
- MVNOs
- virtual network operators can use ERM to search and reserve numbers as well as release them
- for supporting the eSIM
- mastering contracts in CRM systems
- if a CRM system has to search and reserve MSISDNs and SIM Cards, ERM is the answer because it does not interfere with the working BSCS modules and keeps the data model intact
- top number handling
- Out of the box or customizable top number definition algorithms
- Top numbers is a nice source of revenue for operators
- consecutive number search
- useful for operator products featuring multi number
- Attractive to SMEs due to the possibility for reserving multiple numbers in the same range
ERM – Weakness
- utilization area is very specific