Successful and profitable broadband service connects the subscriber with content through the service provider’s delivery infrastructure. Today’s delivery infrastructure is a fantastic and complex collection of content, networks, hardware, and software flowing together to enable voice, video, and data services.
The typical subscriber doesn’t know about delivery infrastructure – they can’t see it, listen to it, or download it – but without it there’s simply no service. From the click of a remote control, to a stream of music, to an online game - the service delivery infrastructure flows quietly behind the scenes to make it happen.
To satisfy the subscriber's uses, service providers need reliable and fast service infrastructure software. My 10+ years in the broadband industry has taught me that, while the need for reliable and agile infrastructure software is rapidly increasing, there are some key elements broken with the supply model. Let’s examine the popular supply options available for infrastructure design and software available today:
First stop, the Independent Software Vendor providing a shrink wrapped ‘off-the-shelf’ software product. On the natural course of product development, it’s common for software features to be based on common requirements anticipated across all deployment scenarios and customers. The time required for customization of a product to meet the needs of a particular infrastructure or service often takes significant time and comes at considerable additional cost.
Second option, the “Big” consulting firm or offshore development house. They offer a recognized brand, powerful strategic alliances, global workforce, and a seemingly endless supply of warm bodies. Though their PowerPoint engineering is impeccable, their engineering understanding of broadband networks and services is not. In short, their business model is driven by number of hours multiplied by number of heads. The longer they take, the better they do. This approach may work fine in enterprise IT or other industries, but how’s this pace consistent with the service agility pressures of the hyper-competitive broadband marketplace?
Finally, there’s in house development by the service provider themselves. As an engineer and former network operator working for a service provider, I recognize the challenges found in the alternative approach of internal development. Though ‘rolling-your-own’ often appears to be the only solution, results often vary depending on the level of commitment and competing priorities of a busy environment.
Here’s how we propose to change the supply model and offer the marketplace a refreshing approach.
We realized that software development and engineering for broadband service delivery is vastly different than for other industries or enterprise IT. Delivery infrastructure is a service enabler necessary to bind content with the subscriber. As a result, it must be every bit as responsive to the demands of subscribers as the content and services it enables.
Here’s how we propose to meet the demand:
First, we bring deep domain expertise in both broadband networking and software. You absolutely need both to succeed. Rapid development of effective infrastructure software requires a cross-functional technical organization that thinks on all layers of the protocol stack.
Second, our technology delivery model is equal parts services and software licensing. We bring lightweight and proven software components to our projects and rapidly customize them to your specific environment and needs through services. This provides you with a tailored solution that yields optimal value in a short timeframe and at a vastly reduced cost.
Third, our 3D process for technology design, development, and deployment was created specifically for broadband’s unique technology needs and business climate. It’s a proven approach that delivers agile results. We deliver sensible solutions to complex problems – taking projects from whiteboard concept to field deployment over timelines measured in weeks, not in months or years.
Finally, I’m proud to be working with a gifted team of supremely qualified engineers and project managers. Together we represent a collective 100+ years of broadband networking engineering and software development experience.
We can help you design a new broadband service, build you the software to go along with it, then stay up with you at night to make sure it’s working perfectly.
Give us a call when you are ready, we’re looking forward to working with you.
Regards,
Jason Schnitzer
Founder
Applied Broadband, Inc.
