MetraTech Joins TM Forum Catalyst to Define Cloud Computing Services Management Framework

LONDON, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading subscription billing ( http://www.metratech.com/Billing-Software--Systems-and-Solutions/Billing.aspx ) provider MetraTech Corp. (http://www.metratech.com/) has announced its participation in a second phase of the Enhanced Cloud Service Management Catalyst exploring how communications service providers (CSPs) can develop, monetize and assure a portfolio of innovative and unique cloud computing-based services like hosted video conferencing.

Building on the Inter-Cloud Service Management Catalyst, which was demonstrated at TM Forum's Management World 2010 conference, the proof-of-concept initiative includes a number of new participants, as its objectives broaden from the fulfilment of cloud services to the operational processes associated with assurance, usage collection, billing, rating and charging.

The collaboration, which involves BT, Cisco, Amartus, Comptel, InfoVista, Progress Software and telco billing ( http://www.metratech.com/Billing-Solutions/Wireless-Billing.aspx) expert MetraTech, defines an intelligent infrastructure and management approach that will allow CSPs to achieve service differentiation, reduced costs and access to new revenue streams and markets through portfolios of enhanced cloud services.

The Catalyst will be demonstrated live in Forumville at TM Forum's Management World 2011, taking place May 23-26, in Dublin, Ireland.

Enabling service providers like BT to meet the challenge of monetizing innovative, agreement-based services like Unified Communications is key as service industries increasingly see significant changes in their competitive landscapes. Today's cloud services customers are likely to be looking for pricing that at a minimum accurately represents their usage levels. Service providers, who have to fight off disintermediation and relegation to "dumb-pipe" status, will need to think about all of the ways in which they can monetize what they bring to the table in terms of "enablement" for enterprise customers and potential value chain partners. While a fixed monthly fee may still suffice for some, infrequent users or those with irregular consumption patterns may well be looking for packages that map better to their profile.

Commenting on the Catalyst, "All CSPs need to better understand how key services can be utilized to deliver more innovative services to customers and to explore how these often complex services can be assured and monetized," said Steve Orobec, lead OSS standards manager and enterprise architect, BT.

"The Enhanced Cloud Service Management Catalyst provides an opportunity to explore how the delivery, performance and monetization of enhanced cloud computing and collaboration services can be managed without any negative fallout for CSPs," added Tom Caldwell, director of technical marketing, Network Management Technology Group, Cisco.

Noted Barbara Lancaster, vice president, sales, Americas at MetraTech (http://www.metratech.com/), "The Catalyst draws attention to how critical it is for service providers to have at their fingertips the ability to quickly monetize innovative yet complex services. In a world where service models are defined by the ever more complex agreements between customers, suppliers, and partners, the ability to monetize has to be an enabler, rather than a gating factor, to success."

To learn more about subscription, telco and BSS billing provider MetraTech, visit http://www.metratech.com/

About MetraTech

MetraTech Corp. offers a new approach to charging, billing, settlement and customer care enabling organizations to embrace change without compromise. MetraNet, the company's flagship product for everything from to Microsoft billing (http://www.metratech.com/) to BSS billing ( http://www.metratech.com/Billing-Solutions/Wireless-Billing.aspx), is unique in its ability to automate business processes and business models that address rapidly changing, complex or radical business strategies across any industry for an unlimited number of services.

MetraNet is deployed globally by a diverse customer base, including industry leaders such as City of Chicago-O'Hare, Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, InterCall, Microsoft Online, PGi (Premiere Global Services), and OnStream(National Grid). Our customers use MetraNet to build innovative and successful business models, securely collect revenue, and manage their entire customer lifecycle in some 12 languages, 28 currencies and 90 countries. For more information on MetraTech, visit http://www.metratech.com.