Today's connected economy demands seamless communication services and support systems

MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: In the tangled communication service provider (CSP) market, favorable outcomes are defined by market savvy, consumer perception, agility, an innovative culture and a well-defined product offering.

Of these capabilities, customer relationship management (CRM) proves of paramount importance as network loyalty falls to the wayside in the face of wide-ranging device and application options. Furthermore, data traffic continues to compound, pushing CSPs and operational support systems/business support systems (OSS/BSS) to maintain a firm pace in these areas to compete with the large vendors that dominate this market.

Stratecast, a division of Frost & Sullivan, offers an excerpt from Making Innovation Matter--Global OSS/BSS 10 to Watch in 2012, which distinguishes companies that have built visionary solutions that meet current and business-critical objectives. Included in the excerpt is a highlight of SaskTel International, which is an organization similar to vendors recognized in earlier and current 10 to Watch lists as they resolve specific issues through exclusive technologies and strategies that are complementary to, rather than in opposition with, offerings from large OSS/BSS vendors. Additionally, these recognized organizations are not start-ups, but have established their market position solidly through clearly ascertained, differentiating factors.

"SaskTel International continues to make significant investments in our software portfolio and organization as a whole in the drive to ensure that our software remains at the forefront," said SaskTel International president and COO, Steve Sousa. "Our recognition by Stratecast as a 10 to Watch in 2012 company solidifies this commitment to continued innovation as applied to the depth and functionality of our software offering."

With the ubiquity of advanced communication technologies and broadband network access points, day-to-day business operations are grounded on networked IT. In turn, CSPs lean heavily on large OSS/BSS competitors to meet this prevailing demand; however, CSPs also look toward vendor diversity to bypass integration and development expenses. OSS/BSS merchants must remain competitive, while ensuring the predominant requirement of meeting customer's needs in an accessible and timely manner.

Innovation has driven the capabilities and availability of customizable solutions, leaving ineffectual support, meager performance, poor offerings as well as stringent product and pricing plans as futile customer retention tools.

"There is no doubt about the bearing innovation and a relentless focus on customer satisfaction plays in driving the uptake of one solution over another," said Stratecast strategy director--OSSCS Nancee Ruzicka. "For some vendors, transitioning value propositions and advancing corporate cultures to reflect these values will require prolonged, costly and challenging applications. The more OSS/BSS can ease this evolution for CSPs, the better positioned they will be to manage successful transformation efforts."

Durable, accessible, cost-efficient and secure solutions that call for minimal replacement of and integration with existing OSS/BSS, IT infrastructure and data will continue to lead this market. Recognized on the 10 to Watch in 2012 list, SaskTel International began as a subsidiary of SaskTel, solely responsible for principal IT and OSS/BSS. The organization transitioned into marketing to CSPs globally, utilizing years of operational expertise using software built by a CSP, for CSPs. This experience and transformation to meet increasing demand has led SaskTel International to recognition on the 10 to Watch in 2012 list.

"SaskTel International gained an intimate understanding of the customer perspective as well as the challenges CSPs worldwide face through their roots as an internal support subsidiary," said Ruzicka. "The organization sees the value and need for simplifying offerings and building end-to-end solutions that provide multilateral and interoperable services. This experience base has also enabled SaskTel International to expand into diverse industry verticals, including utilities, mining and healthcare."