ok for a vendor that pro- vides software applications on a number of different platforms, or at least on the platform to which your orga- nization has committed. Every organization faces a continually changing business environment. What you have as a computer platform today may not be what you have when your company has been reorganized or merges with another division tomorrow. You should be able to migrate to a larger system when needed. Also, make sure that this portability is demonstrated. A lot of vendors say that their software can run on differ- ent platforms. It often turns out that the software only runs on one platform. For a fee, they will convert the pro- gram. To avoid being the "beta site," ask for certification, documentation and references indicating that the software does indeed run on all the platforms indicated. 132 - The Telecom Handbook CHAPTER 6 Documentation is also important. When you switch to another platform, you may not get the same set of func- tions. Check. When you ask for a demonstration, make sure that it's done on a working system. 4. Interfaces To Network Management Systems. Network management systems are used for real-time monitoring and controlling of a telecommunications network. Net- work management consists of five main applications. The applications address management of network faults, con- figuration, performance, security and accounting. Network management takes into account all the smart devices you have on a network, such as PBX's, servers, multiplexers and data switches. This equipment is con- stantly spewing out management information regarding alarms, traffic statistics, security audit trails, etc. Consid- ering that information, the network management system diagnoses the current situation and decides whether or not to perform network reconfiguration or produce a trouble ticket. When a network management system and telemanagement software are integrated, you have one main information repository. Anything that happens on the network is automatically updated in the a