System, method, and computer program for transforming order requests from external channels into a format associated with a service provider

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for transforming order requests from external channels into a format associated with a service provider. In use, at least one new order request is received from at least one of a plurality of external order channels. Additionally, the at least one new order request is transformed into a predefined format associated with a service provider system. Further, the at least one new order request in the predefined format is sent to the service provider system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to product and service providers, and more particularly to facilitating order requests associated with product and service providers.

BACKGROUND

Sales of communication services from independent retailers that are not owned by telecom operators has increased recently. For example, order requests may be initiated using different channels, such as web-portals, e-commerce portals, retailer call centers, and direct retail sales systems. These order requests may be split to different Communication Service Providers (CSPs) according to the service type request.

The indirect channels are not part of the Communication Service Providers' systems and the new order requests may arrive in various formats and in various forms of communication. It is a challenge for IT organizations (CSP IT organizations and indirect channel IT organizations) to support the various formats with only minimal changes in the IT systems. This challenge may arise whenever a Communication Service Provider ordering system integrates to a new indirect channel.

SUMMARY

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for transforming order requests from external channels into a format associated with a service provider. In use, at least one new order request is received from at least one of a plurality of external order channels. Additionally, the at least one new order request is transformed into a predefined format associated with a service provider system. Further, the at least one new order request in the predefined format is sent to the service provider system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a method100for transforming order requests from external channels into a format associated with a service provider, in accordance with one embodiment.

As shown, at least one new order request is received from at least one of a plurality of external order channels. See operation102. The order request may be associated with an order of any product and/or service.

The external channels may include any type of channel, such as web-portals, e-commerce portals, retailer call centers, and direct retail sales systems. Moreover, the plurality of external order channels may be associated with networks, point of sale terminals, retail systems, whole sale systems, or call centers, etc.

Additionally, the at least one new order request is transformed into a predefined format associated with a service provider system. See operation104. The predefined format may include any format associated with the service provider system. The service provider system may include a variety of systems associated with a communication service provider.

Further, the at least one new order request in the predefined format is sent to the service provider system. See operation106.

In one embodiment, the method100may include determining whether one or more mandatory parameters are missing from the new order request. The mandatory parameters may be required to transform the at least one new order request into the predefined format. In this case, the method100may include utilizing one or more business rules to transform the at least one new order request into the predefined format, if it is determined that mandatory parameters are missing from the new order request.

The common predefined format may be utilized in various ways. For example, in one embodiment, the predefined format may be capable of being utilized for error identification associated with the new order request. Also, the predefined format may be capable of being utilized for validation of the new order request. Additionally, in one embodiment, a plurality of new order requests that are in the predefined format may be stored in an orders repository (e.g. prior to sending to the service provider, for logging, etc.).

Utilizing the method100, ordering initiation adapters may be implemented as a layer in an order gateway service that will collect all the new orders from different indirect channels with different formats and transform them into a single format.

FIG. 2illustrates a system diagram200for transforming order requests from external channels into a format associated with a service provider, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the system200may be implemented in the context of the details ofFIG. 1. Of course, however, the system200may be implemented in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

As shown, one or more adapter layers202are in communication with a plurality of external channels204. The adapter layers202are also in communication with one or more service provider systems206.

In operation, a program implemented by the system200may provide the adapter layer202for new order requests received from the different indirect channels204. The adaptive layer202may collect the order requests and create a single format for them before continuing the order process.

During this process, in some cases, mandatory parameters may be missing, which are needed to create the single format for the order requests. In this case, the order requests may be handled by one or more business rules that are defined in the adapter layer202. The service provider may define various business rules for handling the order requests.

The adapter layer202may function as an integration repository for different indirect channels that can be reused by other service provider ordering systems using an order gateway service.

The single format that is created by the adapter layer202will improve the handling of the order entry to identify errors, validate the request, save the request in an orders repository208, and/or monitor the request.

In this way, the adapter layer202may function as one solution to collect all the new order requests from the different indirect channels and create one format for the requests before sending them to the service provider (e.g. CSP, etc.) BSS systems206.

This technique reduces cost and complexity by reusing the same solution from the indirect channels to the CSP BSS Systems. This technique also allows for creation of one format for all order requests to simplify the orders entry operational.

FIG. 3illustrates a network architecture300, in accordance with one possible embodiment. As shown, at least one network302is provided. In the context of the present network architecture300, the network302may take any form including, but not limited to a telecommunications network, a local area network (LAN), a wireless network, a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, peer-to-peer network, cable network, etc. While only one network is shown, it should be understood that two or more similar or different networks302may be provided.

Coupled to the network302is a plurality of devices. For example, a server computer304and an end user computer306may be coupled to the network302for communication purposes. Such end user computer306may include a desktop computer, lap-top computer, and/or any other type of logic. Still yet, various other devices may be coupled to the network302including a personal digital assistant (PDA) device308, a mobile phone device310, a television312, etc.

FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary system400, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the system400may be implemented in the context of any of the devices of the network architecture300ofFIG. 3. Of course, the system400may be implemented in any desired environment.

As shown, a system400is provided including at least one central processor401which is connected to a communication bus402. The system400also includes main memory404[e.g. random access memory (RAM), etc.]. The system400also includes a graphics processor406and a display408.

The system400may also include a secondary storage410. The secondary storage410includes, for example, a hard disk drive and/or a removable storage drive, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, etc. The removable storage drive reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit in a well known manner.

Computer programs, or computer control logic algorithms, may be stored in the main memory404, the secondary storage410, and/or any other memory, for that matter. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system400to perform various functions (as set forth above, for example). Memory404, storage410and/or any other storage are possible examples of tangible computer-readable media.