d they were unsuccessful. Their ambitious plans pushed some of the application packages beyond their capability at the time. The next chapter will examine phased approaches to OSS deployment in more detail. OSSs can be classified generally into the three categories below: Basic Support - Applications that are required to support the core business: - Inventory management - Ordering and order management - Billing - Network management - Trouble management - Back office support systems (such as financials) Efficiency and Quality Support - Automation that provides operational efficiency or enhanced service quality: - Activation - Interconnection - Web self help - First level of integration - Work force automation - Sales force automation - Carrier Access Billing (CABS) - Cost assurance Differentiation - Enhanced automation that enables unique service differentiation: - Data warehousing and integrated business intelligence - Customer interaction center (e.g., an integrated environment for call center) - Product bundling capability - Asset management and tracking system Variations to this model are completely acceptable, since the IIC's unique business requirements will drive functionality classification. Chapter 4 - Developing an OSS Strategy BEST-OF-BREED VS. OSS-IN-A-BOX Another consideration is whether to choose best-of-breed solutions for each application area and integrate them into an overall solution, or to select a pre-integrated OSS-in-a-box solution. Although the OSS-in-a-box solution sounds ideal, offering one-stop shopping and pre-integration, the reality is that there are few alternatives on the market. Since there is such a variety of business models, products and services, networks and technologies, customer bases, markets and channels, it is difficult for a one-size-fits-all solution to be successful. However, OSS-in-the-box solutions are still evolving. Some equipment vendors, such as Nortel, Lucent and ADC, have had enough financial wherewithal to buy and assemble an enterprise-wide solution. The OSS-