Oracle today introduced Oracle(R) Communications IP Service and Network Management, a new market offering designed to simplify the lifecycle management of complex IP-based services. This offering enables communications service providers to manage growing IP service complexity, scale operations efficiently and facilitate ongoing network change by providing one integrated solution for IP service management and network change control. Included in the offering are updated versions of two key Oracle Service Fulfillment Suite applications, Oracle Communications Configuration Management and Oracle Communications IP Service Activator.

"Oracle's IP service and network management offering are leading-edge service configuration assurance capabilities that will help us to rapidly deploy high-demand IP services, such as level 3 virtual private networks, multicast and quality of service over our IP/MPLS network," said Torleif Nesheim, chief information officer, BaneTele.

"Increasing IP service complexity, continuous network consolidation and consumers' insatiable demand for new, innovative IP-based services are creating new business challenges and opportunities for today's communications service providers," said David Sharpley, vice president, product marketing and channels, Oracle Communications. "Oracle Communications IP Service and Network Management provides the necessary operational framework that providers need to provision next-generation services, maintain customer satisfaction and improve business performance."

Oracle Communications IP Service and Network Management includes updated versions of Oracle Communications Configuration Management and Oracle Communications IP Service Activator with Release 5.2.3. The 5.2.3 releases deliver enhanced functionality including real-time service configuration traceability, repair and assurance -- enabling providers to proactively identify, troubleshoot and resolve device configuration problems before the customer even notices a problem. This functionality will help increase operational efficiency and control and help providers solve the long-standing industry challenge of service configuration assurance by providing a real-time view of service configuration compliance through visual markers and alert mechanisms.

Further, the offering delivers out-of-the-box support for all leading IP hardware vendors, including Alcatel, Cisco and Juniper. To evolve to meet providers' new business needs, the new offering includes a cartridge software development kit that helps them extend existing service models or design new ones, while supporting new vendor equipment or functionality.