Title:	COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER SOFTWARE PROCUREMENT AND INNOVATION: MAKE OR BUY
Author(s):	Mirja Pulkkinen , Lauri Frank
ISBN:	978-972-8924-68-3
Editors:	Pedro Isaías, Miguel Baptista Nunes and Dirk Ifenthaler
Year:	2008
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Software procurement, software market evolution, communication services provider, OSS/BSS
Type:	Full Paper
First Page:	219
Last Page:	226
Language:	English
Cover:
Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	Telecommunications business has been transforming in a way that telecommunications operators are becoming communication services providers (CSP). These CSPs have a palette of communication and digital media services, and are thus key enablers of the information society and the evolution of interactive digital services for both businesses and consumers. The operations of CSPs require various software systems which are referred to as Operations and Business Support Systems (OSS/BSS). The maintenance and development of these software systems lies in the hands of the CSP and its software providers. This study investigates the developments of this OSS/BSS software market. It gives information about the phase and future trends of the developments within the examined industry. The study is qualitative and bases on interview data from seven European CSPs. The interview topics were related to the software development and procurement. The CSPs as a software market seem to follow a general software market evolution model, where software development gradually shifts from in-house to external vendors. However, there seems to be some variation based on the size and scope of operations of the interviewed CSPs: Larger operators seem to deviate from the software evolution model by still keeping some software development in-house. They also are willing to take more risk when they select their software vendor: The larger CSPs also appreciate the potential and innovativeness of an unknown vendor, whereas smaller value mainly the reliability of the software provider. One aim of these activities by a large CSP seems to be creating new innovative services which would bring them competitive advantage.
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