The company, previously known as Beechwood Data Systems, has handled project management work for Bell companies in the past but now is looking to expand its role. They include integrating systems, building applications programming interfaces to OSSes and business process automation. Bellcore, the company that built many of the Bell company OSSes before it was spun off from the Bell System, also provides a new kind of interconnection service that takes much of the worry off carriers' shoulders. Its ServiceGate interconnection services automate and speed the process of interconnecting the back-office systems of incumbent local phone companies with those of new competitors to handle service orders, customer complaints and maintenance. Bellcore's ServiceGate Exchange Link provides a centralized interconnection clearinghouse for its client carriers and handles such tasks as protocol conversions within an electronic connection that today can cause service order delays or force both sides to use a manual ordering process.
Customers pay a base subscription fee and then a transaction fee.
This service lets new competitors deal with entering new markets on a national basis. New competitors still have to negotiate interconnection agreements with the local phone companies, but even that process could be simpler if both sides agree to the Bellcore approach. A hidden advantage of buying a service rather than an interconnection system is that future maintenance costs are greatly reduced, Kret says. People see the up-front costs, but big infrastructure costs are keeping up with interfaces and standards. Then subscribe to the IAW E-Mail Alert.