 Solutions) The ATIS is a standardizing body based in the United States and accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It works on developing technical and operations standards in communication and information technology. Most of the standards of ATIS are intended to promote interoperability between networks, network equipment, and customer premise equipment. The functional framework for organizing and marketing work of ATIS consists of 10 areas classified under two categories. The categories are: Universal functions: There are five functional areas under this category. They are performance, reliability, and security; interoperability; OAM&P; ordering and Billing; and user interface. Functional platforms: There are five platform areas under this category. They are circuit switched and plant infrastructure, wireless, multimedia, optical, and packet based networks. The ATIS has made many valuable contributions in network management and has a dedicated area in its functional framework for OAM&P. There are two main function groups in ATIS that handles the standardization activity called "forums" and "committees." These main groups can form subgroups like subcommittees based on work programs and create "task forces" to work on a focused area for a specific amount of time. A proposal to work on an item is referred to as an "issue" in ATIS. An issue (issue identification form) needs to define the problem to be looked into, propose a resolution, and suggest a time line for the completion of work. An issue process is defined by ATIS on the different activities involved in the life cycle of an issue. International Telecommunications Union Telecommunications Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is a standardizing body with which ATIS has worked closely for defining standards that needs world wide acceptance. Standardizing Bodies The deliverables of ATIS are: ATIS standards: This deliverable can comprise a variety of documents includ- ing technical requirements, specifications, reports, and whitepapers ATIS im