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About the TM Forum Interface Program - Usage Data Management Team (IPDR)
The TM Forum and the Internet Protocol Detail Record Organization (IPDR.org) joined forces in 2007 to integrate the work programs and strategic direction of both organizations. As part of the agreement, IPDR.org became a key-working group within the TM Forum Interface Program: the Usage Data Management Team.
As a key component within the TM Forum Interface Program, the Usage Data Management Team and enabling technology will provide a pivotal point to deliver the TM Forum long term strategic vision of becoming the industry association for all players in the delivery of end to end services (including telecom, cable, content and information service providers, and their suppliers plus device manufacturers).
As a current work program under the TM Forum Technical Program activities, IPDR is collaborating to facilitate the exchange of usage and control data between network and hosting elements and operations and business support systems by deployment of IPDR standards.
Why?
The Usage Data Management Team is working to enable cost-effective usage measurement and exchange for next-generation services across the entire value chain.
Who?
Service Providers, Operators, Enterprise Networks
- Enable rapid evolution of next-generation services.
- Use creative pricing as a competitive weapon.
- Gather and increase intelligence for internal costing and external Service Level Agreements.
- Reduce integration costs now and tomorrow.
Equipment Vendors
- Reduce construction costs and increase billing capabilities.
Mediation Vendors
- Enable connection to various device and billing systems in one easy step.
- Ensure consistent architecture and integration with diverse billing systems.
Billing Vendors
- Integrate with dozens of data sources.
- Focus on core functionality.
Other OSS and BSS players
- Solve the challenges of next-generation usage-measurement and value-billing once and for all.
How?
Define and implement open, de-facto standards for IP-based support system interoperability, enabling providers to profitably deploy next-generation services.
Deliverables
- Standardization of a usage-record encoding and multiple delivery protocols. The specifications represent an open, extensible, usage record in state-of-the-art encapsulation techniques. IPDR usage records can encapsulate the metrics and parameters for any service transaction, including an extension mechanism so network elements and support systems can exchange optional service metrics.
- Open-source libraries and tools assisting vendors in rapid adoption of IPDR standards.
- A repository of service specifications for emerging services, including core usage metrics and optional usage metrics.
- A certification process by which vendors can claim IPDR compliance.
- Additional standards under development to address provisioning and settlement of next-generation data services.
The Usage Data Management Team collaborates with standards bodies possessing domain knowledge in specialized services and technologies to ensure standards accuracy and broad adoption.
If you are interested in joining the team, please contact us at ipdr-info@tmforum.org.
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