Technical description
A key part of the TM Forum Solution Frameworks, the Information Framework provides an information and data reference model and a common vocabulary from a business and a system perspective. Used in combination with the Business Process Framework (eTOM) it becomes possible to create a bridge between the business and the Information Technology (IT) groups thereby providing definitions that are understandable by the business, but are also rigorous enough to be used for software development. In short, the Information Framework provides the model that represents business concepts, their characteristics and relationships, described in an implementation independent manner. 

There are many benefits that can be achieved by using the framework and its common information language including:

• Reducing time to market
• Reducing the cost of integration
• Facilitating the introduction of new technologies
• Reducing management time and cost.

Inside the Information Framework
The Information Framework focuses on what are called “business entity” definitions and associated attribute definitions. A business entity is a thing of interest to the business such as customer, product, service, or network, while its attributes are facts that further describe the entity. Together, the definitions provide a business-oriented perspective of the information and data that you need to run your organization.

To classify the data in a usable fashion, the framework is designed as a layered model, which partitions the shared information and data into eight domains.  At the top layer, each of the eight information domains are aligned with the Business Process Framework (eTOM). Within each domain there is a high degree of cohesion between the business entities, and between the domains, there is a loose coupling. This arrangement enables segmentation of the total business problem into manageable pieces and allows resources to be focused on a particular area of interest. In other words, for a particular business process that you are automating, you can identify the shared information and data that is needed to support that process.