Core Data Systems

Addressable Control Toolbox (ACT)

Today’s ever changing business environment brings with it new challenges and new opportunities. As your business grows, the need for video data management, data migration and business support systems (BSS) grows with it. Video data management enables Multiple Systems Operators (MSO) to efficiently leverage their existing network assets through periods of rapid growth and consolidation. When things change, data migration is sure to follow.

Implementing a video data migration project is no simple task. Overall synchronization and timelines are critical, and data accuracy is a requirement in order to achieve a smooth, accurate and hassle-free migration. Additionally daunting, is the number of different BSS, network elements and internal and third party databases that must interact for a successful migration. As well, customer impacting data migrations must be performed quickly and flawlessly in order to maintain a positive customer experience. Finally, as those who have witnessed this can attest, most data migration efforts that rely solely on customized in-house programming or labor-intensive manual processes are not cost-effective or timely.

OUR SOLUTION

Core Data Systems Addressable Control Toolbox (ACT) is designed to automate the complex task of customer data migration among BSS and databases. ACT also provides the ability to verify and improve data accuracy. Simply moving bad data, without first ensuring its accuracy, can lead to costly revenue leakage, service outages and unsatisfied customers. The software is technology independent and accommodates multi-vendor environments.

Our solution addresses the following:

RESOURCE OPTIMIZATION

Enables MSOs to maximize the utilization of their current assets and thus enhance their return on those assets. In a video environment, this typically references the DAC, BSS and load balancing.

CUSTOMER & ASSET ACQUISITION

Permits MSOs to easily integrate customers and assets from another MSO. Also allows the acquiring MSO to accurately audit the number of set tops and features being migrated thus ensuring the full value of its purchase.

TECHNOLOGY MIGRATION

This entails the migration from a current generation of technology to “next generation” of the technology. Examples include NAS to DAC, DAC to DAC, EPG Guide, software and applications.

BILLING MIGRATION

Assist with the migrations due to the ongoing consolidation within the cable industry. Typically this situation is encountered during a billing system conversion.

OVERVIEW OF ADDRESSABLE CONTROL TOOLBOX

Core Data Systems Addressable Control Toolbox (ACT) is a software framework which provides direct communication with Motorola’s Wirelink protocol. By implementing the Wirelink protocol, the ACT supports full external control of the DAC independent of systems. As well, each project can be specifically tuned to address any unique criteria because the Addressable ControlToolbox comprises of a highly configurable set of commands.

Key Features:

  • Communicates via the published Motorola Wirelink protocol.
  • Generated messages are indistinguishable from those generated by the billing system.
  • Actions are independent of proprietary billing system communications. This decoupling facilitates the localization of market parameters.
  • Standard Communication
  • Serial interface using traditional DIGIPORT mux interface
  • TCP/IP interface for DACs
  • Performs standard Adds, Deletes and Changes to the DAC.
  • Add: mass additions, customizable
  • Refresh: plant , state, feature components, service/packages
  • Delete: mass deletions,correctly addresses terminal removal and “written off” inventory

BENEFITS OF OUR SOFTWARE:

Migration is controlled and coordinated according to business rules and best practice parameters

  • Complete decommission/disconnect from sources following successful migration to ensure that assets do not become stranded
  • Integrated and automated migration process to reduce migration labor costs and risk of error
  • Detailed and summarized reporting on migration activities
  • Automated process reduces the risk of negatively impacting customer service
  • Eliminates the need for flash cutovers