network network capacity available, Network provisioning Manage spare parts additions/changes/deletions provisioning process Manage faulty parts process Network data start/stop monitoring Element management change notification management new/spare/repair parts available, Supplier testing and calibration, notifications, orders, returns Supplier equipment problems/updates Figure 10.3 Connections between network inventory and other components of the TOM. 10 Network Inventory Management this process. Components of this process include site work, repair, software upgrades, part, equipment and software inventory. The aim of this process is to install and administer the physical infrastructure. The process starts with a work order request for installation or implementation required by a network problem. It can also start as a result of administration of the sub-processes corresponding to the repair or replacement of faulty parts or installation of spare parts. It ends with the successful installation or implementation in the network. 10.8 Overview of Inventory Management Products 10.8.1 Telcordia Inventory Management It is not unusual for up to 20% of a company's inventory assets to be sitting idle in a warehouse or field location. A significant portion of a company's capital network investment may be unused, damaged but repairable, obsolete or simply forgotten. Telcordia Inventory Manager targets this issue by helping to ensure new services or repairs. The telecommunication companies stock extra inventory for switching, transport and other network functions at field and at the intermediate warehouse locations. Companies have a duty to shareholders to keep constant watch over expenses while simultaneously allowing for the fact that the amount of inventory needed to support provisioning processes grows. Telcordia's Inventory Manager product seeks to balance these, largely by helping companies reduce the costs of excess equipment. The nature of the telecommunications industry poses a unique inventory chal- lenge. Unlike t