Service providers, including incumbents, new competitors and Internet service providers, need new gizmos less than they need the ability to make the ones they have work better, and to reach customers faster and at lower cost. Cisco rounded up some of the better vendors in the DSL service delivery game, came up with one new software product of its own and produced a system that automates delivery of DSL service from the time the customer places the order until the service is up and running. Quintessent specializes in electronic connections into the operations systems of large incumbents. At the customer end, Broadjump's innovative Virtual Truck system helps configure the customer's personal computer and Portal Software's billing system get information from the Cisco Network Order Manager to start billing when the service itself starts. By automating many steps of the process and reducing the number of times trucks must carry technicians out into the field, Cisco also expects to save service providers money.
Cisco is also again encouraging network operators to consider the all-Cisco solution.
Wireless data is a service looking for an application. More equipment vendors are joining the search. This week, Nortel Networks teamed with InfoSpace to add a wireless data service platform to its existing and upcoming wireless transmission systems. Novatel Wireless partnered with Cerulean Technology, a wireless mobile software vendor, and VisionAIRE, a developer of wireless data applications for vertical markets, to develop wireless apps for the mobile workforce. Apparently corporate data folks are feeling the heat as well.