Telecom Expense Management Normalization Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecom expense management systems face challenges in cross compatibility when adding or switching systems, as each system has unique input requirements, data structures, and carrier systems, leading to frequent software updates and complex order processing across multiple carriers and enterprises.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that normalizes input streams from multiple source systems, converts data into a consistent intermediary format, and adapts it for multiple target carrier systems, enabling seamless order placement and status retrieval, while simplifying the integration of new systems and updates across input and output systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each TEM system has unique interface architecture for each carrier, then the system can be customized to meet specific carrier requirements, but the device complexity and number of updates required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct layers: a normalization layer that converts carrier-specific interfaces into a standard internal format, and application layers that operate independently of carrier specifics. This segmentation allows each layer to be updated or modified without affecting others, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A normalization layer acts as an intermediary between carrier-specific interfaces and the internal system. This mediator converts various carrier interface formats into a unified internal representation, enabling the system to work with multiple carriers without requiring unique interface architecture for each one.
2Ease of manufacture
If screen mapping solutions are used to adapt between systems, then integration is simplified initially, but the solutions break when new options or system modifications are added
Solution Approach 1:
The normalization layer is designed to be dynamic and adaptable rather than static. It can automatically adjust to new carrier interfaces and system modifications through configuration changes rather than requiring complete remapping, maintaining functionality as systems evolve.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal normalized format serves as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple carriers and system configurations. This universal representation allows the same core system to work with different carriers and options without requiring carrier-specific customization at the application layer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input and output systems are integrated to serve multiple enterprises, then service coverage is expanded, but the complexity of maintaining cross compatibility across all systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The normalization layer serves as a universal intermediary between multiple input systems (different TEM systems) and multiple output systems (different carriers). By converting all inputs to a standardized internal format and generating carrier-specific outputs from this common representation, the system achieves multi-enterprise service coverage without direct point-to-point integration between each input-output pair.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for normalizing telecommunications expense management and carrier system interactions including normalizing order entry information from multiple source systems and providing a standard intermediary format that can be again converted to multiple output or target systems which in turn provide order status information that is also normalized and sent back to the source systems thus providing a consistent ordering experience regardless of source system used or target system that actually fulfils the orders.