Source: Global OSS/BSS Rat Pack - Stratecast's 10 to watch in 2010
Author: Nancee Ruzicka, Susan McNeice, Karl Whitelock
Date: Monday, January 11, 2010
Link: http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/segment-toc.pag?segid=D532-00-71-00-00

Ontology hailed for aligning 'dirty' OSS/BSS data

January 11, 2010 - In the 2010 "Rat Pack" report, leading analysts from Stratecast describe Ontology and other nine vendors  as  small, agile, hungry, well-managed companies that are experiencing success despite the changing global economy and rapid evolution within the telecommunications industry. 

"The goal of Ontology Systems is to "create transparency across existing BSS, OSS, and
network infrastructure in a fast, practical, non-disruptive way." Simply stated: services
have converged and OSS/BSS has not. Building on technology used in military and
defense intelligence applications, Ontology Systems OSS/CAD is an off-the-shelf product
that uses ontologies to structure existing 'dirty' OSS/BSS data into relevant, accurate
operational models."   Nancee Ruzicka, Sr. Research Analyst, Stratecast

Report Synopsis

During tough economic times, it is often innovation that suffers at the hands of cost cutting and downsizing. But, as previous economic downturns have shown, innovation is needed now more than ever. Whether targeted toward cost reduction and reduced cost of ownership or customer retention and revenue generation, it is innovation that enables CSPs to define and deliver new communication products and remain competitive in a challenging economy. The Rat Pack OSS/BSS suppliers described in this report present the market with innovative new concepts and capabilities.

The Rat Pack mentality is based on the belief that the company has developed an innovative solution that addresses current and business-critical objectives. These solutions are proven and refined as a result of customer installations. Characteristics of a Rat Pack business include:

• Market Savvy
• Well-defined, Clearly Differentiated Product Offering
• Agile
• A Culture of Innovation

About Stratecast

Stratecast assists clients in achieving their strategic and growth objectives by providing critical, objective and accurate strategic insight on the global communications industry. As a division of Frost & Sullivan, Stratecast's strategic consulting and analysis services complement Frost & Sullivan's Market Engineering and Growth Partnership services. Stratecast's product line includes subscription-based recurring analysis programs focused on Business Communication Services (BCS), Consumer Communication Services (CCS), Communications Infrastructure and Convergence (CIC), OSS and BSS Global Competitive Strategies (OSSCS), and our weekly opinion editorial, Stratecast Perspectives and Insights for Executives (SPIE). Stratecast also produces research modules focused on a single research theme or technology area such as IMS and Service Delivery Platforms (IMS&SDP), Managed and Professional Services (M&PS), Mobility and Wireless (M&W), Multi-Channel Video Programming Distribution (MVPD), Network Infrastructure and OSS (NI&O), Secure Networking (SN) and Unified Communications (UC). Custom consulting engagements are available.