ers are still in the process of implementing and integrating the various OSSs they need. Ideally, in an automated supply chain environment, the customer will be able to order service, purchase a configured modem and/or PC from the vendor Chapter 3 - Automating the Internet Infrastructure Supply Chain Customer Premises Interface Customer Customer Data and Self-care Web Provisioning Functions Interface IVR/ACD/CTI DHCP Server Phone Internet Cable Modem Local Distribution Figure 9. Automated Cable Modem Provisioning Architecture that offers the best deal, plug everything in, and let service activation take care of itself, as illustrated in Figure 9. Though the DOCSIS effort is succeeding, incompatibilities still exist because operators employ both DOCSIS and non-DOCSIS equipment. In many cases, operators have rolled out service at a pace ahead of DOCSIS guidelines. Further, vendors do take liberties to extend the capabilities of their CMTSs and modems, SO that not all DOCSIS certified gear is necessarily compatible, at least not at a full-functional level. Depending on its growth strategy, a cable provider may maintain several different DOCSIS implementations from various vendors. Though many fundamental issues have been addressed within CableLabs, it will take a while before the networks and providers catch up. Packet cable services will require complex, tightly integrated, highly scaleable provisioning, network activation and billing systems to support them. The Ultimate Guide to Building and Delivering OSS/BSS NEW CHALLENGES FOR CABLE OSS 5.1 Real-Time Provisioning Looking at the various initiatives going on inside CableLabs gives a pretty good idea of some of the OSS issues relating to cable. For example, PacketCable addresses service management in a real-time IP environment, setting guidelines for provisioning and managing quality of service functions for different types of content streams. Since the Internet is expected to become a giant service platform, a broadband provider will want to provide its customers