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Operations Support Systems [OSS] In Telcos

Operations Support Systems [Operational Support Systems or OSS] are computer systems most frequently used as a "network support system", supporting processes such as:

Maintaining network inventory
Provisioning services
Configuring network components
Managing faults

Business Support Systems or BSS is a newer term and typically refers to "business systems" dealing with customers, supporting processes such as taking orders, processing bills, and collecting payments.

The two systems together are often abbreviated BSS/OSS or simply B/OSS.

Business / Operational Support Systems run the Telco network and business. Typical activities include:

Receiving customer orders
Configuring network components
Creating a bill
Managing faults

Elements of OSS

There are 4 key elements of OSS:

Processes - the sequence of events
Data - the information that is acted upon
Applications - the components that implement processes to manage data
Technology - how we implement the applications

Automated interfaces between the OSS applications are referred to as OSS integration.

OSS Standards

The ITU-T established a 4-layer model of TMN applicable within an OSS :

Business Management Level [BML]
Service Management Level [SML]
Network Management Level [NML]
Element Management Level [EML]

ITU Functional Model

ITU-T TMN Functional model for the technology base of the TMN standards M.3000 - M.3599 series:

Performance and Security
Configuration
Fault
Accounting

NGOSS

The TMF’s [1] NGOSS programme in 2000 established a set of principles and standardised approaches for OSS integration.

Information model - the Shared Information/Data model, or SID
Process model - the enhanced Telecom Operation Map, or eTOM
Lifecycle model

The TMF describes NGOSS as a loosely coupled, distributed, component based architecture. Together with functioning applications, a complete IT suite has been detailed for any Communications Service Provider.

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