Tony Fallows, Aria Network’s CEO, was interviewed for Intercomms magazine on the topic of Efficient Networks and Profitable Services.

With the ability to analyse current and future service profiles and forecast customer demand, Aria Networks is able to identify how networks can be more efficient, profitable and reliable.

Read the article here.

…That is the Question. Aria Networks CEO, Tony Fallows, asks whether it is better to select a system which is upgraded by the vendor or one which is configurable by the customer.

Aria has built a configurable Capacity Management system. A key question is whether this gives a better strategic platform and improved life-cycle ROI, than a planning system that is not configurable, offering fixed, out-of-the box functionality.

To set the scene, the following defines Aria’s aims and intentions of configurability with respect to our Capacity Management system.

• To consider the full economics of capacity management – both CAPEX and OPEX
• An agile system, to quickly amend or add new services, equipment and link types and capabilities
• Flexibility to run varied ‘what-if’ scenarios
• Cater for varying degrees of data availability – from simple spreadsheets to fuller inventory imports
• To enable reports and data export to suit the needs of the integration environment or the users
• To enable resource consumption policies to be under the control of the users, and not to be dictated to by hard-coded limits of system
• To provide a system that supports the needs of the expert who wants to control/change the processing, as well as the operational user who wants simple automated steps

It should be kept in mind that Aria’s solution is a commercial-of-the-shelf product with a high level of out-of-the-box capability. Its configuration complements extends that out-of-the-box capability and ensures the future viability of the solution as the telco environment changes.

Is the option to configure or fixed functionality supplied out-of-the-box preferable? Several questions need to be asked.

Q. What is the expected life-cycle of the Capacity Management system?

For the purpose of this debate, we shall assume that an enterprise perpetual software license is used for 7 years (although it may be written off from a financial perspective typically over 5 years, and many systems are used for longer periods).

Q. During the expected life-cycle of 7 years, what can I reasonably assume will change in my network?

• Will I change one or more hardware vendors that I use to provide devices?
• Will a device have new line card or port capacities?
• Will my devices have new or upgraded logical capacities that I need use and plan for?
• Will I introduce new protection and resilience mechanisms?
• Will I introduce new technologies to enable a large step-increase in link types or speeds?
• Will I introduce new architectures and reroute traffic?

Q. During the expected life-cycle of 7 years, what can I reasonably assume will change from a demand or service point-of-view?

• Will I be introducing new service types or adjusting service policies?
• Will I be asked by sales to respond to large bids for bespoke B2B opportunities?
• Will I need to introduce new service derivatives, offering a variety of QoS and SLA options?
• Will I be asked to determine the impact and ready the network for the introduction of new data-intensive devices?
• Will I likely see an increased shift towards services that have multiple end-points or require lower delay characteristics?
• Will I need to better understand and route traffic to local content, CDNs and/or cloud providers?

Q. During the expected life-cycle of 7 years, what can I reasonably assume will change from a process point-of-view?

• Will I need to change operational use-cases due to changes in business policy, finances or other KPIs?
• It is likely I will want to evaluate the future mode of operation of a new architecture to predict the impact on traffic, QoS and cost savings?
• Will new element management, performance management, system-assurance, service fulfilment or inventory data sources change over the next 7 years and as a consequence would I need to change the planning processes, data models or data integration?

Real-World Examples

A tier-1 operator required a new broadband service to be introduced that supported the delivery of TV content. The capacity planning use-case scope included all network components from the multi-service access nodes, a switched Ethernet backhaul and aggregation infrastructure, a core network comprising optical WDM and a routed IP network, as well as the required BRAS components. The architecture utilised several protection and resilience schema. The customer’s key objective was to determine the cost and optimal equipment and link inventory to meet increased customer uptake of the new broadband service. In a head-to-head Aria’s solution was configurable in less than 1 month, while the competitor’s estimates to code a solution was 15 months.

In a similar case, involving a mobile operator, the introduction of four new equipment models by Aria took less than two weeks, while the competitor estimated 9 months to code a solution.

To Configure or not to Configure?

If you have answered “yes” to any one of the above questions, it could render a non-configurable planning system as temporarily or permanently obsolete. You would then find yourself with a dependency on the system vendor’s future roadmap, current development load, and software release process. Not to mention the fees that the planning system vendor will likely impose on your change requests. During which time, you may need to make a decision to either delay the cause for change, revert to a manual process. In either case it will cost you money:

• If you defer a service introduction you will lose revenue
• If you defer introducing new equipment, you will incur increased CAPEX (on the assumption you are introducing that new equipment as it is more cost effective than using existing equipment)
• If you revert to manual planning, it requires more scarce and costly manpower

Summary

While a configurable system will rely upon either the users or an administrator to be able to configure the system as your environment changes, it puts you in control of your destiny. It gives you the option to configure the system to meet your immediate demands, and thereby reduce your dependence on the system vendor’s roadmap. You can introduce new services, new equipment, new use-cases, new processes and new systems, safe in the knowledge your planning system is not obsolete and not subject to large upgrade costs and implementation delays.

One of our “Seven Best Practices for Successful Mobile Network Planning” discusses how large mobile networks now have backhaul and transmission capacity issues as complex as many fixed-line service providers.

Previously, mobile service providers simply had to purchase a few E1/T1 leased lines and microwave links for backhaul, and only marginally larger capacities for core transmission. Today, a new 4G cell site may require 100Mbps or even 1Gbps backhaul link. There’s also far more sites to connect as 2G, 3G and 4G are layered on top of each other, and pico/femto-cells fill in urban coverage.

Backhaul transmission may now comprise:

• A mix of legacy E1/T1 and high-capacity Ethernet leased lines

• Point-to-point and ring microwave links

• Aggregation on to SDH/SONET, IP and MPLS

• Optical (OTN, DWDM) fibre runs connecting high-demand points

Not only do planners have a choice of technology, they now also need to manage capacity across network layers.

Capacity must first be planned at the logical layer, forecasting IUB, IUR, IUCS, etc. traffic and signalling loads. This traffic may be carried by a combination of Ethernet and IP/MPLS, which in turn is carried by SDH/SONET, PDH microwave and OTN/DWDM.

Capacity management demands that at all stages in the planning lifecycle the dependencies between these layers are considered. Consequential demands on lower layers may require additional planning tasks and, when considering both quality and resilience, there is a need to be aware of the lower layers when optimising traffic routes.

Automation is the best way to achieve multi-layer capacity management. Build planning sizes the service layer based on growth forecasts, determines where capacity upgrades are necessary, and then automatically creates a build plan for the transmission layer(s). This ensures that transmission planners are as much driven by market forecasts as they are by historic utilisation trends, and also enforces planning policy across all network layers.

A few of the Aria team (Tony Fallows, CEO and Paul Kelly, VP Sales) will be attending Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona. We’re all looking forward to a great show with lots of debate about mobile data capacity crunch, back-haul strategies and LTE capacity management.

If you are also attending, and would like to meet up to chat, just drop sales@aria-networks.com an email, with ‘MWC’ in the subject line, and we will try our best to see you!

Enjoy the show.

Aria Networks, a leading networking software developer and consultancy today announced that the internationally recognized telecoms industry business leader John Cronin has been appointed as the company’s new Chairman of the Board.

Cronin, who brings a wealth of experience working with global telecoms and OSS software companies, joins the Aria Networks team at a time when the company is enjoying a sustained period of growth. In the past year, revenue has grown by more than 60% driven by Aria Networks’ success in meeting the needs of operators delivering broadband fixed line and mobile services.

The company has also recently released major updates to three key products (Capacity Planner, iForecast and iVNT) aimed at capacity management, data analytics and MPLS planning. Aria Networks has also been successful in winning repeat business with key clients in markets in North America and Europe.

“We are very pleased that John has accepted the Chairmanship of the company,” said Tony Fallows, CEO. “He will play an important role in further developing Aria Networks’ company strategy during this time of significant growth. His broad experience in OSS and communications leadership positions will be a great asset as we continue to develop innovative products for the network capacity management market.”

Cronin commented, “I am excited to be joining Aria Networks at a time when capacity management is becoming the principal challenge to service providers’ profitability. With the explosion in demand for broadband services and the need for differentiated products, the opportunity for capacity management is huge. Aria’s customers are gaining a return on investment (ROI) within an average of six to nine months – which is exceptional.

“Aria’s strategy of focusing on the economics of the network and automating capacity management tasks will be a key contributor to our customers’ profitable deployment of new LTE, Ethernet and optical services. I look forward to working with the Aria Networks team, supporting the continuing growth in customer opportunities and partner relationships.”

Cronin has been instrumental in several key communications sector mergers and acquisition worldwide, raising equity, debt facility and vendor financing funds of between $50m and $900m. He has a track record of creating significant value for shareholders with four significant company exits at Azure Solutions, i2, Netsource Europe and Picochip, totalling over $600m.

Cronin’s contribution to the communications and technology industries includes holding the post of Chairman, NED, adviser and CEO to GCI Com, Picochip, Arqiva, Azure Solutions, Subex, Evolved Networks, i2, Cambridge Networks, Kast, Qariba, Next2Friends, Bailey Fisher, 2Ergo, and adviser to several private equity and VC firms.

iVNT MPLS-TE 2.3 delivers solutions for LSP design, optimisation, network capacity management and service assurance. This new version makes it quicker to get started and easier to use your existing planning and network data sources.

iVNT MPLS-TE 2.3 automates operational MPLS processes for fast, error-free delivery of LSP services. Telecoms operators benefit from significant savings in capital expenditure and accelerated planning cycles for far greater insight into the current, and future, capabilities of the network.

iVNT MPLS-TE 2.3 integrates with your existing vendor management systems or OSS data sources and is able to support planning scenarios that analyse even the largest MPLS networks.

Compared to planning processes that rely on traditional engineering tools, spreadsheets and databases, iVNT MPLS-TE 2.3 users see a range of benefits:

• Transform complexity into simplicity and free your skilled resources
• Planning cycles are reduced from weeks to just a few hours
• Planning becomes more frequent, agile and able to react quickly to change
• Cost-effectively manage multi-vendor assets
• Reduce outages and time-to-restore
• Deliver superior service and network quality

iVNT MPLS-TE 2.3 new features include:

• A simple to use Excel interface for importing network data  and forecast service demands
• Configurable user interface menus that allow your automation, analytics and scripts to be executed as easily as core functionality
• Support for the optional Cisco, Alcatel Lucent and Juniper NMS adapters

iVNT MPLS-TE 2.3 can be licensed for deployment on users workstations or centralised server resources. Contact sales@aria-networks.com to learn more and request a demo.

Aria Networks, a leading provider of capacity management and planning software solutions for next-generation networks, today announced the release of Capacity Planner 1.1. New features and deployment options make it even easier for users to quickly import their network data, model forecast customer demand, and plan cost-optimal resource upgrades.

The communications industry is going through a period of technology and service change. Service providers have the opportunity to evolve their network with increasing broadband speeds, 4G mobile services and flexible, capacious Ethernet and optical infrastructure. However the current economy means that capital expenditure on new network resources is not available unless it can be clearly justified both in terms of need and being capable of returning a profit.

Aria Networks Capacity Planner is the only OSS product able to model multi-technology networks, service policies, cost models and market-driven traffic forecasts to produce plans for optimised service design and profitable network upgrades.

Capacity Planner 1.1 further extends Aria Networks’ leadership in network analysis, planning and optimization.

New features include:

• A simple to use Excel interface for importing off-line network data, proposed network topologies, and forecast service demands
• New reports that provide common bill-of-material data on network resources requirements
• Configurable user interface menus that allow custom automation, analytics and scripts to be executed as easily as core functionality
• Deployment options now include quick installation on user workstations for individuals or small teams, as well as maintaining support for shared server-based IT resources

Tony Fallows, Aria Networks CEO, said, “Since announcing the first version of Capacity Planner in early 2010 there has been huge interest in its capability to address capacity management across many fixed-line and mobile use cases. This has led us to focus on making it quicker to deploy and easier to use in order to support the diverse range of service providers and users who need greater insight, control and assurance of their networks’ profitability.”

Since 2005 Aria Networks has been providing solutions for network analysis, planning and optimization. Our customers are able to predict how their network will support service forecasts for the next month, year or five years. Where capacity is needed, they are able to discover which infrastructure meets their needs, when and where it will need to be deployed.

Aria Networks will be at Management World Americas next week. The show runs from November 8th to 10th in Orlando, Florida. Come and find in the Expo or book us for a demo and meeting in our hospitality room.

Why come and see us? There’s plenty of new things to talk about:

• There’s some new Capacity Planner features we’d like to talk to you about which make it quicker to gain insight, control and assurance of your network capacity.
• iForecast 2.0 is making it easy to unlock the value in your OSS and BSS data, performing trend and prediction analytics with just a few clicks of the mouse. No statistics qualifications needed.
• We have new  consultancy offerings that makes getting results from all our planning solutions easier for one-off, occasional or regularly scheduled planning jobs, without the effort associated with owning your own software.

Come and find us on the Expo floor to discuss your latest capacity management challenges.

To prearrange a meeting email us at sales@aria-networks.com

See you in Orlando!

Chippenham, UK – 10^th October 2011

Aria Networks’ expertise in fixed and mobile network capacity management, optimisation and strategic planning is now available as consulting services

Aria Networks, a leading provider of capacity management and planning software solutions for next-generation networks, today announced consulting services that provide the skill and experience to leverage the capabilities of their iVNT, Capacity Planner and iForecast products to deliver rapid, one-off analysis projects. Communications service providers get the benefit of Aria Networks’ products and expertise without the need for capital investment in software and IT resources.

The communications industry is going through a period of technology and service change. Service providers have the opportunity to evolve their network with increasing broadband speeds, 4G mobile services and flexible, capacious Ethernet and optical infrastructure.

There is no universal ‘right answer’ to the question of which network architecture or service types will offer a service provider financial benefits or business advantages. Service providers do have the ability to answer the fundamental questions about their network evolution and service design for themselves. They have the raw data: Service growth figures; Technology capabilities; Equipment costs.

What most businesses are missing is the ability to analyse their data.

Since 2005 Aria Networks has been providing software solutions for network analysis, planning and optimization. Our customers are able to predict how their network will support service forecasts for the next month, year or five years. Where capacity actually is needed, they are able to discover which infrastructure meets their needs, when and where it will need to be deployed.

Tony Fallows, Aria Networks CEO, added: “In telecoms, change is a constant but there are some planning tasks that are one-offs or are funded as an operational expense. At Aria Networks, we’ve built up years of experience in helping operators understand their networks. We are very pleased to be able to offer this expertise for short-term services projects with rapid, high-value benefits”

Typical projects include:

• Mobile Network Planning. Optimal design of back-haul and core networks for LTE roll-out
• Strategic Evolution. Cost/quality comparisons of potential networks topologies, technology and vendors to meet long-term business objectives and service growth
• Network Survivability. Analysis to determine the impact of faults on customer experience and identify efficient solutions

For more information about Aria Networks services visit: www.aria-networks.com/professional-services

Aria Networks will be exhibiting at the Cloud Computing World Forum in London, June 21st and 22nd.

The introduction of Cloud services and supporting infrastructure is creating new capacity management challenges for communication service providers, internet service providers and large PaaS/IaaS suppliers. Aria Networks is uniquely able to deliver OSS software to manage strategic resource planning, optimisation and network design that covers all network technologies as well as IT resources and leased services.

Visit us at booth #75 to learn more about how we can ensure your Cloud infrastructure is efficient, profitable and service-ready.

Aria Networks, the provider of capacity management automation and network analytics solutions, today announced iForecast 2.0, offering anyone who can use Microsoft Excel or Aria’s iVNT products the ability to perform sophisticated, accurate trend analysis and predictions.

30 Seconds to Install, 30 Minutes to Learn

iForecast 2.0 is a desk-top application able to automatically discover patterns and relationships  in data sources commonly found in service providers’ OSS and BSS environments. With just a few clicks, historic time-series data or before-and-after sample data are analysed by iForecast 2.0 to build a sophisticated, reusable forecasting model.

Many planners and product managers maintain or manipulate their data using spreadsheets. iForecast 2.0 has been enhanced to work seamlessly with this data to minimise preparation effort, avoid costly integration and ensure users have a simple learning curve before being able to benefit from actionable insight in to their data.

iForecast 2.0 is also tightly coupled with Aria Networks’ iVNT products enabling planning Scenario files to be used as the basis for producing network capacity forecasts. This has the added benefit of allowing the resultant demands, network plans and forecast network traffic to be visualised within iVNT and used as the basis for further planning or optimisation tasks.

iForecast 2.0 builds on Aria Networks’ extensive experience of artificial intelligence to produce a product that is an order of magnitude easier to use than the traditional analytic tools available today. iForecast’s self-learning and self-tuning software removes the need for expert users or a trial-and-error approach to finding the best answer.

Business Advantage in Operations and Business Support Systems

This capability allows service providers to move from having pockets of analytics experts to making forecasting part of day-to-day operational processes, strategic planning and ad-hoc reporting.

iForecast 2.0 can address a broad range of data analysis requirements. Examples include:

• Accurately forecast trends in per-site equipment port exhaustion to ensure you meet procurement lead-times while minimising warehouse stocks
• Predict how the introduction of LTE in a cell-site will impact RAN, backhaul and core capacity needs
• Use historical service and traffic demands to accurately forecast future demands
• Analyse customer propensity to buy, upgrade or churn when introducing or changing service offerings

Tony Fallows, Aria Networks CEO, said, “It’s no coincidence that we’re announcing iForecast 2.0 today, at Management World 2011. In recent years key note speakers at this event have highlighted the need to unlock the value in service providers’ data, to allow smarter business and operational decisions to be made and to provide insight in to customer behaviour. iForecast 2.0 is making it easier for service providers to ask more questions about their customers, network and services, finding answers in the OSS and BSS data they already have in their organisation.”

Press Contact: james.pullen@aria-networks.com

Aria Networks is already gearing up for the TMF Management World 2011 show in Dublin this year. Between May 23rd and 26th, Aria will be exhibiting at Expo booth #14.

This year we expect a bit of a buzz around:

• Cloud. With the industry moving past the ‘what is it?’ stage there will be a focus on how service providers can differentiate themselves from the over the top SaaS and PaaS providers.
• CDN. Telcos will be evaluating the effectiveness of deploying content delivery networks to understand how it will affect their network capacity and service profiles.
• LTE. It’s happening now, but there are still many questions around how it will impact services and what the right capacity and network architecture will be for each service provider.

Come and find us on the Expo floor to discuss your latest capacity management challenges. We will also be supporting a Forumville catalyst project on the subject of Cloud Capacity Management with a number of other OSS organisations. Be sure to check it out.

See you soon in Dublin!