Service Delivery Platforms: The SOA-enabled Path to Integrate Legacy and IMS Networks (with revenue forecast 2009- 2015)

Service Delivery Platforms: The SOA-enabled Path to Integrate Legacy and IMS Networks (with revenue forecast 2009- 2015)

Overview:

Service Delivery Platform (SDP) can be loosely defined as a standards based framework that facilitates the design, development, implementation and management of services required to run the operations of network services providers. The services could range from the basic voice connectivity to the state-of-the-art rich multimedia services. The most critical value-addition offered by the SDP methodology lies in its ability to abstract controlling parameters such as location, media control, integration and others. SDP interface with the network elements, OSS/BSS, telco IT infrastructure and partners such as application developers and content providers.

With research starting in 2007, this report evaluates the potential for SDP as a dependable, scalable and flexible platform for core business functions, next generation applications, and independent services. SDP is examined within the context of its relationship to the Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and the objectives to respond more rapidly to shifts in market conditions, customer demands, new revenue opportunities, and competitive threats. The report includes revenue forecasts by geography, function, and media type from 2009 through 2015.

SDP, SOA, and IMS

SDP and SOA environments complement IMS (and vice versa) as the latter provides the centralized control for application logic and the ability to offer blended multimedia services across all networks and devices. Anyone considering IMS must also have a SDP strategy and vice versa as the so-called Telco 2.0 services will depend on both.

The report includes:

Evaluation of SDP and SOA in terms of potential to provide added value to IMS implementations

Analysis of SOA and SDP drivers, challenges, implementation methodologies and case studies

Vendor analysis, strategies and portfolios of leading SOA and SDP vendors

Quantitative analysis and conclusions for SDP and SOA products and services market

SDP revenue forecast from 2009 through 2015 by Function, Media (wireline and wireless) and by geography (NA, EMEA, APAC, CALA)

Key Findings:

APAC and CALA constitute the most promising markets for the SOA and SDP solutions respectively. The promise is directly attributable to the gap between the existing level of technology sophistication and the potential optimal level of technology sophistication. APAC region has demonstrated that it does constitute the largest market for telecommunications while the CALA region is the least tapped among all regions.

SDPs find greater appeal among wireless telcos as wireless technology has already overtaken wireline technology in terms of subscriber numbers, and the relationship between the telcos and the subscribers is closer in the wireless domain wherein the telco has a decisive say in the character and extent of services deployed.

Revenues from the sale of SDP solutions will increase from USD 4580 million in 2009 to USD 11277.7 in the year 2015, at an impressive CAGR of 16.21%.

While Product will constitute the bulk of the revenues of SDP solutions, it will overtaken by the services component in 2012.

NA and APAC will be the leading markets for wireline SDP solutions. The NA region will continue to hold a slender lead over the APAC region. CALA and APAC will show the top two CAGRs respectively.

Target Audience:

Wireless and wireline telcos will gain insights into the value provided by SDPs and its implications to their business

Telecom network infrastructure vendors will assess the importance of establishing or maintaining their presence among SDP stakeholders

SOA specialists will better understand the drivers and challenges for the SOA paradigm in the telecom domain in addition to accessing the market size and distribution for SDPs

SDP specialists will map the size of their target market and the importance of services and product components in their portfolios

System integrators will better ascertain the value of the installation and upgrade market size for SDP solutions

Table of Contents


1 Executive Summary 5

2 Introduction to SOA and SDP 7
2.1 IMS: Definition and Evolution 7
2.2 Business and Technology Drivers for IMS 8
2.2.1 Value-Added Services 8
2.2.2 Transparency in Access 9
2.2.3 Scalability 9
2.3 Business and Technology Challenges for IMS 9
2.3.1 Supporting Legacy Framework 9
2.3.2 Unmet Expectations 10
2.4 SDP and its Appeal 10
2.4.1 Definition 11
2.4.2 Evolution 11
2.4.3 Benefits of SDP 12
2.5 SOA 14
2.5.1 Definition 14
2.5.2 Evolution 15
2.6 Conclusion 16

3 Value Propositions of SDP and SOA 17
3.1 Functional Modules of OSS/BSS 17
3.1.1 OSS 17
3.1.2 BSS 18
3.2 Middleware - The Glue that Binds the SDP with the Applications 19
3.3 OSA/Parlay - Interconnecting the SDP with the Network Elements 20
3.4 The Structure of SDP 23
3.4.1 SDP Architecture 23
3.4.2 Java and JEE - The SDP Fabric 24
3.4.3 OMA Service Environment (OSE) - The Quest for the Elusive SDP Standardization 25
3.5 SOA - Enabler for SDP 26
3.5.1 SOA Drivers 26
3.5.2 SOA Workflow and Concepts 28
3.5.3 SOA Implementation Methodologies 35
3.5.4 SOA implementation methodology - the HP way 36
3.5.5 Challenges Confronting SOA 42
3.6 SOA in Telco Environments 44
3.7 Piecing together SDP 46
3.7.1 The SOA-SDP Interplay 46
3.7.2 SDP Case Studies 47
3.7.3 SDP as a Progression to IMS 50
3.7.4 Challenges Confronting SDP 51
3.8 Conclusions 51

4 Vendor Analysis 53
4.1 Telecom Network Infrastructure Vendors 53
4.1.1 Key Players and their Strategies 53
4.2 Software SOA Specialists 54
4.2.1 Key Players and their Strategies 55
4.3 SDP Focused Start-ups and Specialists 57
4.3.1 Key Players and their Strategies 57
4.4 Summary of Key Facts of Selected Vendors 58
4.4.1 Accenture 58
4.4.2 AePona 59
4.4.3 Alcatel - Lucent (ALU) 61
4.4.4 BEA Systems 61
4.4.5 CapeClear 63
4.4.6 Contec Innovations 64
4.4.7 Ericsson 65
4.4.8 Fiorano 66
4.4.9 Hewlett Packard 67
4.4.10 IBM 69
4.4.11 jNetX 70
4.4.12 Microsoft 71
4.4.13 Motorola 72
4.4.14 Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) 73
4.4.15 Oracle 75
4.4.16 SOA Software 76
4.4.17 Software AG / webMethods 77
4.4.18 Telenity 79
4.4.19 Tibco 80
4.4.20 Vitria 81
4.5 Conclusions 82

5 Numerical Analysis and Forecasts 83
5.1 Methodology 83
5.2 Markets for SDP Solutions 84
5.3 Functional Break-up of SDP Solutions Revenue 84
5.2 Mediawise Break-up of SDP Solutions Revenue 86
5.3 Geographical Break-up of Mediawise SDP Solutions Revenues 88
5.4 Markets for SOA Platforms 94
5.5 Conclusions 97



List of Figures



Figure 2 1: IMS Components 7
Figure 2 2: The network simplification achieved by SDP 12
Figure 3 1: OSA/Parlay Framework 20
Figure 3 2: SDP and OSA-Parlay 21
Figure 3 3: SDP Block Diagram 23
Figure 3 4: OSE Schematic 25
Figure 3 5: Web service protocol stack 31
Figure 3 6: IBM SOA foundation 34
Figure 3 7: SOA maturity - Top Level 38
Figure 3 8: Computation of Assertion Score 39
Figure 3 9: Enterprise Target Maturity Profile 40
Figure 3 10: HP SOA Agility Assessment Analysis 41
Figure 3 11: SOA in Telco Environment 45
Figure 3 12: Oracle SDP 47
Figure 3 13: SDP Scope 52
Figure 4 1: Position of SDP in the Telco Infrastructure 58
Figure 4 2: AePona Universal Service Platform suite 59
Figure 4 3: WebLogic and SDP 62
Figure 4 4: Cape Clear ESB Platform 63
Figure 4 5: Fiorano SOA 66
Figure 4 6: Microsoft CSF 71
Figure 4 7: Motorola GAMA 72
Figure 4 8: NSN Service Core and Applications 74
Figure 4 9: Workbench 76
Figure 4 10: Canvas CSP 79
Figure 5 1: SDP Solution Revenues 84
Figure 5 2: Functional Break-up of SDP Solution Revenues 85
Figure 5 3: % Share of Functional Components 86
Figure 5 4: Mediawise Break-up of SDP Solutions Revenues 87
Figure 5 5: % Mediawise Break-up of SDP Solutions Revenue 88
Figure 5 6: Geographywise Distribution of Wireline SDP Solutions Revenues 89
Figure 5 7: % Break-up of Wireline SDP Platform Revenues 90
Figure 5 8: Geographical Distribution of Wireless SDP Solution Revenues 91
Figure 5 9: % Break-up of Wireless SDP Solutions Revenues 92
Figure 5 10: Geographical Distribution of SDP Solution Revenues 93
Figure 5 11: % Geographical Break-up of SDP Solutions Revenues 94
Figure 5 12: Market for SOA Platforms 95
Figure 5 13: Geographical Distribution of SOA Revenues 96
Figure 5 14: % Geographical Break-up of Overall SOA Revenues 97