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Networks & Infrastructure
IBM Unveils IMS Offerings
Aims to Integrate Components with Next-Gen Network Infrastructure
by Jim Barthold
In a move that was probably inevitable, IBM has introduced a
set of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) offerings to help
service providers transition to next generation networks
(NGNs).
Big Blue said its IMS offerings leverage its Service Provider
Delivery Environment (SPDE) framework with IMS components
to enable service providers to evolve their legacy network
environments to next-generation network environments, in
many cases using IMS components to tie together the pieces.
The offerings include integrated hardware and software
components based on Rational, Tivoli and WebSphere
software, IBM said.
IBM said it would help service providers maintain existing
technology while transitioning to IP-based offerings by
operating IMS solutions on IBM eServer BladeCenter T and
CarrierGrade Linux computing platforms. The company
promised further announcements on how it would extend its
software offerings to further support the IP migration.
While IMS is considered the cornerstone of enabling
convergence between wireless and wireline networks and
applications, that is only an application on a more deeply
ingrained impact the protocol will have on the entire
telecommunications space as it transitions to an IP-based
infrastructure.
IMS, said Michael Howard, principal analyst at Infonetics
Research, is “a pragmatic solution to the problem that all
these different systems have to talk to each other. It’s
necessary in the industry to make all these disparate parts
talk to each other.”
To make the pieces fit, he said, component integration
between backoffice systems and networks infrastructure
require open computing standards that interoperate between
different applications will be needed.
“That’s a perfect opportunity for IBM with all of their software
expertise to help a lot of corporations figure out what it (IMS)
is and help them do it because I think it is a messy
proposition,” Howard said. “I'm sure IBM is going to find this
a very profitable and ongoing business for several years.”
IBM said it is currently working with more than 800 business
partners to deliver next-gen solutions as part of its
PartnerWorld Telecommunications Industry Network. further,
the company unveiled six new Telecommunications Solutions
Labs (TSLs) worldwide where service providers can work with
IBM in research, systems and technology, software and
consulting implementation.
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