Cisco Cisco IP Solution Center 6.0 Information Guide
A Service Provider Case Study—IPI
“IPI made a strategic investment in our industry-leading MPLS management products,” says Steve
Nye, vice president and general manager of Service Provider Network Management at Cisco. “By
capturing the skills and experience of our CCIEs [Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts] around the
globe and using artificial intelligence techniques, the Cisco MPLS Diagnostic Expert brings the
unique capability to identify and recommend corrective actions for faults across the network more
quickly than ever before. In combination with Cisco IP Solutions Centre Provisioning, which allows
service providers to propagate error-free VPN configurations throughout any size network, it puts
IPI in a position to deliver world-class MPLS-based services to any and all of its customers.”
Nye, vice president and general manager of Service Provider Network Management at Cisco. “By
capturing the skills and experience of our CCIEs [Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts] around the
globe and using artificial intelligence techniques, the Cisco MPLS Diagnostic Expert brings the
unique capability to identify and recommend corrective actions for faults across the network more
quickly than ever before. In combination with Cisco IP Solutions Centre Provisioning, which allows
service providers to propagate error-free VPN configurations throughout any size network, it puts
IPI in a position to deliver world-class MPLS-based services to any and all of its customers.”
The relationship between IPI and BT operates on many levels. As a Cisco Gold Partner, BT iNet is
a supplier to IPI of Cisco hardware and software. BT Wholesale provides significant elements of the
IPI customer-facing infrastructure including global MPLS network capability.
a supplier to IPI of Cisco hardware and software. BT Wholesale provides significant elements of the
IPI customer-facing infrastructure including global MPLS network capability.
“I estimate that we’re looking at a return on investment
within two years. But that’s aside from unquantifiable
factors such as the competitive edge we are getting and
the beneficial effects of vastly improved customer
service. I think it’s the best money we’ve ever spent –
and it helps me sleep too.”
within two years. But that’s aside from unquantifiable
factors such as the competitive edge we are getting and
the beneficial effects of vastly improved customer
service. I think it’s the best money we’ve ever spent –
and it helps me sleep too.”
—Peter Edwards, Technical Director, IPI
Ann-Marie Taggart, the BT service provider account manager, says: “We try where possible to
facilitate collaborative relationships between our customers, suppliers, and partners, whether that’s
for infrastructure, hardware, applications, or fully converged managed solutions. IPI is an exciting
and dynamic business, and we are keen to continue to work with IPI to foster and exploit new
technology that allows IPI to maintain its competitive edge through excellent customer service.”
Edwards adds: “BT provides us with invaluable assistance in new converged technologies such as
voice over IP. I believe that BT is a world leader in such areas.”
facilitate collaborative relationships between our customers, suppliers, and partners, whether that’s
for infrastructure, hardware, applications, or fully converged managed solutions. IPI is an exciting
and dynamic business, and we are keen to continue to work with IPI to foster and exploit new
technology that allows IPI to maintain its competitive edge through excellent customer service.”
Edwards adds: “BT provides us with invaluable assistance in new converged technologies such as
voice over IP. I believe that BT is a world leader in such areas.”
Implementation assistance to IPI was provided by Harbrook Consultants, independent specialists in
the management of communications networks. With in-depth experience of Cisco IP Solution
Center and MPLS Diagnostics Expert implementations around the world – Harbrook was best
positioned to assist IPI in rapidly bringing these applications to operational readiness.
the management of communications networks. With in-depth experience of Cisco IP Solution
Center and MPLS Diagnostics Expert implementations around the world – Harbrook was best
positioned to assist IPI in rapidly bringing these applications to operational readiness.
“The experience of the Harbrook people was invaluable and helped us to much more quickly
realise a return on the investment,” says Edwards. “Equally importantly, their knowledge of other
Cisco IP Solution Center and Cisco MPLS Diagnostics Expert implementations offered reassurance
to our engineering people.”
realise a return on the investment,” says Edwards. “Equally importantly, their knowledge of other
Cisco IP Solution Center and Cisco MPLS Diagnostics Expert implementations offered reassurance
to our engineering people.”
Business Result
The implementation of Cisco IP Solution Center Provisioning and MPLS Diagnostics Expert has
allowed IPI to create services that are more straightforward to sell and implement while improving
customer support – and all at reduced cost. In terms of service creation, IPI has adopted ITIL (IT
Infrastructure Library) best practice processes and, by automating repetitive manual activities
through the use of validated templates, Cisco IP Solution Center Provisioning is not only speeding
up service delivery but is also eliminating human error from the equation.
allowed IPI to create services that are more straightforward to sell and implement while improving
customer support – and all at reduced cost. In terms of service creation, IPI has adopted ITIL (IT
Infrastructure Library) best practice processes and, by automating repetitive manual activities
through the use of validated templates, Cisco IP Solution Center Provisioning is not only speeding
up service delivery but is also eliminating human error from the equation.
© 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
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