Globema implements a comprehensive, multi-tenant telecom network inventory system at UPC Central Eastern Europe. The solution has been built as an enlargement and enhancement of the NIS system which Globema developed for and implemented first at UPC Polska several years ago. Now the unified NIS solution covers all UPC affiliates in CEE (in Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and in Romania). The system is based on GE Smallworld Physical Network Inventory (PNI) platform.
About UPC CEE
UPC CEE is a part of Liberty Global International (LGI) which is one of the largest international cable companies with operations in 14 countries. Under the UPC brand, Liberty Global operates cable networks in Poland (UPC Poland), Hungary (UPC Hungary), the Czech Republic (UPC Czech), Romania (UPC Romania) and Slovakia (UPC Slovakia). The company offers variety of broadband services over cable distribution systems, including video, broadband internet, fixed-line telephony and, in certain of operations, mobile services for residential, SOHO and medium to large enterprises.
Business drivers
The main goal of the project is to gain a single unified network model and database (inventory) for all subsidiaries and to obtain the possibility to conduct end-to-end data management in PNI. Other drivers include: cost reduction by better control of network assets, optimization of network design and standardization of the network inventory model and related operational processes for the whole UPC Group.
Solution Architecture
The solution is based on Smallworld Physical Network Inventory platform implemented at UPC Poland by Globema in 2006. PNI is the core component of the CEE solution. The system also includes:
- Optical Network Atlas – generating clear, functional and extensively printable schemes of optical networks
- Physical Route Manager – managing relations within fiber network with auto-routing of optical paths
- CATV Design – design and calculations of RF network
- Network Inventory Gateway – Internet and Intranet access to targeted data held within Smallworld Network Inventory.
The unified NIS CEE database grows by a process of data migration and consolidation from various data sources which is performed country by country. The project includes also additional customizations and integrations aimed at extended support for more business processes around network design, build and maintenance.
Expected benefits
- Simplified system installation, configuration and operations – lower TCO
- Optimized and flexible use of hardware resources
- Very quick and easy to add additional affiliates
- Dynamic allocation of concurrent licenses – common license pool
- Easy reporting
- Consistent network modelling across all affiliates
- Flexible allocation of designing tasks across CEE
Graphics: courtesy of UPC CEE
