The workshop, to be held Thursday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m., will focus on the integration of IPDR.org's technologies into TM Forum's New Generation Operations Systems and Software (NGOSS), which defines for Service Providers and their suppliers a comprehensive, integrated framework for developing, procuring and deploying operational and business support systems and software.

IPDR.org President and COO Kelly Anderson commented, "The Internet Protocol Detail Record (IPDR) protocol is a 'service-neutral' specification that supports the gathering of metrics and detailed service information that can be applied to any IP service and application (i.e, gaming, IPTV, VoIP, and Video on Demand). As such, it makes it easier for Service Providers to deploy services while tracking, billing, and monitoring these important, revenue-generating services."

TM Forum's CTO Martin Creaner agreed, "NGOSS is the industry's only true standard for development and deployment of easy to integrate, flexible, easy to manage OSS/BSS components, and the IPDR protocol is a critical component of the overall OSS/BSS infrastructure. IPDR.org is known as an industry leader in the area of IP network data management for any IP-based application, and we're pleased to be working with them to further enhance our NGOSS program."

IPDR.org's technologies have already been adopted by leading industry organizations, including CableLabs®, the cable industry's research and development consortium; and ATIS, the telecommunication industry's research and standards body whose Usage Data Management Protocol, which incorporates IPDR.org's protocol, is an American National Standard (ANS) approved for Trial Use by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

NGOSS is provided as a set of documents and models that make up a toolkit of industry-agreed specifications and guidelines that cover key business and technical areas, and a defined methodology for use of the tools. NGOSS uses a "Lifecycle" approach to development of management systems, based on clear definition of business processes, specification and architecting software and systems to automate those processes, and compliance of those systems against NGOSS test criteria.

The workshop is free and open to all interested parties. For more information about the workshop or to register, contact Marianne Jenkinson at mjenkinson@ipdr.org.

About IPDR.org

IPDR.org is the only collaborative industry consortium exclusively focused on developing and driving the adoption of next-generation IP service usage exchange standards worldwide. IPDR.org developed the Internet Protocol Detail Record (IPDR) interface used by IP network and service providers to capture valuable network data usage information. IPDR.org's members consist of leading service providers; software and equipment vendors; system integrators; and billing and mediation vendors who are collaborating to facilitate service usage exchange by implementing de-facto standards, which have been adopted by leading industry organizations, including CableLabs®, the cable industry's research and development consortium; and ATIS, the telecommunication industry's research and standards body whose Usage Data Management Protocol, which incorporates IPDR.org's protocol, is an American National Standard (ANS) approved for Trial Use by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). . A member-driven nonprofit organization, IPDR.org continuously seeks comments on its specifications, implementation and protocols. The IPDR.org publicly available documents can be downloaded from the IPDR.org web site at www.ipdr.org.

About the TeleManagement Forum

For almost 20 years, the TeleManagement Forum (TM Forum) has provided leadership, strategic guidance and practical solutions to improve the management and operation of information and communications services. Through its "Lean Operator" initiative and flagship New Generation Operations Systems and Software (NGOSS) program for developing, procuring and deploying operational and business support systems, the TM Forum creates collaboratively developed, industry standard solutions. These solutions, delivered through a set of guidelines and specifications, define the direction and specific roadmap to achieve business efficiency and operational flexibility - the hallmarks of the Lean Operator.
The TM Forum has over 540 members in 63 countries, including incumbent and new-entrant service providers, equipment suppliers, software solution suppliers and systems integrators. For further information regarding the TM Forum, related programs and TeleManagement World, please visit www.tmforum.org.
Media Contacts:

For IPDR.org
Tammy Snook
HighTech PR, Inc.
407-667-9355
tammysnook@hightechpr.net

For TM Forum:
Monica Zlotogorski
TeleManagement Forum
201-945-4959
monicaz@tmforum.org