Omnix has the capability to combine data management with workflow, consolidating business information with active project plans. That means users can rapidly access key project and network information relating to the project plan, resources, and network infrastructure. Omnix provides each user with a unique view of the project and network information, tailored to their specific needs. For example, finance managers will need to see information on project costs and spend relating to specific sites. Contractors and site operatives will need to see work orders and project plans using their remote laptop PCs or PDAs, while the project manager will need to see all project related information and key performance indicators.

By integrating with multiple OSS such as planning tools, inventory, trouble ticketing and ERP systems, Omnix provides a consolidated view of network and project resources while ensuring it has the most up-to-date references to this data.

For more information or to order, email networksolutionssales@andrew.com or telephone +44(0)117 9060301.

Solution packs are bundled packages of coherent business components designed to address a specific customer need. Solution packs fit with Andrew’s philosophy of Network Lifecycle Management. The following diagram shows how Omnix Solution Packs support this philosophy and complement other products in the Andrew Network Solutions range.

Solution packs are generally commercial off-the-shelf solutions, for example ready made solution packs having an 80% out-of-the box functionality and allowing for about 20% customization required to ensure the solution pack fits closely into the operator’s own processes and physical OSS environment. Other purely customized solution packs can be developed on request by our professional services teams. These custom developments deliver best-in-class business solutions which are directly tailored to individual customer requirements.

The business components which underpin the solution packs are designed to be re-used across various solutions to ensure consistency of functionality and common data objects. For example, a property component used by both Asset Management and Site Rollout Solution Packs will ensure the same property data and attributes are presented to the users of both solution packs in a consistent manner. This also means that when a new solution pack is introduced later into the system which requires the use of an existing component, it will automatically inherit the attributes of the common business components. New business components will be introduced as required by new solution packs when they are installed, which will enrich the platform and ensure future compatibility with other solution packs. Business components also benefit from automatic upgrades when solution packs are added with later versions of existing installed components.

Adaptable Plug-in Business Rules

Key to the Omnix release 9 solutions platform is the facility for plugging in a set of standard or customized business rules can be used to adapt Omnix to behave in specific ways for client applications. Business plug-ins include such things as asset depreciation rules, project estimating and forecasting rules, and candidate project ranking and scoring rules.

For more information or to order, email networksolutionssales@andrew.com or telephone +44(0)117 9060301.

• Supports Site Rollout Management with the SRU Solution Pack
• Supports Asset Management with AM Solution Pack
• Automated workflow
• Interactive off-line mode for remote Laptop and PDA support
• Provides accurate project reporting and cost analysis
• Minimizes project overruns
• Automatically tracks project progress and assigns work orders
• Escalation process ensures the right people are notified of project exceptions

For more information or to order, email networksolutionssales@andrew.com or telephone +44(0)117 9060301.

Based on automated workflow, Omnix issues work orders to site operatives, sub-contractors and other staff involved in the planning, build, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of a network. Each work order is assigned to a specific user and as each action is completed, the user informs Omnix, which in turn tracks and reports on project progress. Failure to complete a task on time may be a condition for a trigger, particularly if the task is in the critical path of the project, which can start an escalation process.

Omnix Site Rollout and Upgrade

Omnix SRU is an interactive planning and tracking tool having the ability to track each stage in the rollout project and escalate notifications in the event of a project exception such as impending overrun, resource changes or material delivery problems. Unlike passive planning tools, Omnix SRU keeps project managers informed of each project flow, step, and status, empowering the project manager to have direct control over multiple simultaneous rollout projects, safe in the knowledge that Omnix is keeping track of everything.

The Asset Management Solution Pack allows the operator to manage the complete lifecycle of equipment and materials required to build and operate a mobile network. High value assets in particular such as transmission and antenna equipment or electricity power generators, required on each site, may be serialized and associated with asset records with unique serial numbers in the Omnix database which allow the assets to be automatically tracked. (Omnix may be linked to other inventory and financial data base systems through its flexible APIs). Asset auditing and reporting is supported for SOX compliance and other financial requirements.

By using barcodes or RFID tags, which uniquely identify each asset, labels may be attached to the equipment in order for them to be rapidly scanned into the system. Barcodes and RFID tags can then be used to check in and check out items arriving or leaving a particular site. The movements of the assets are then tracked using the Omnix AMS application, which is constantly being updated with the location and status of each item.

Materials and Equipment Management

Materials and equipment must be available and delivered on time for each stage in the build project. Long lead time items need to be procured or reserved in advance, while other items on the BOM need to be fulfilled from the warehouse or procurement. Omnix ensures all the items required to fulfill the BOM for a particular site rollout project are ordered in time to deliver and deploy. Combining the Omnix Asset Management solution pack with the SRU solution pack adds automated tracking capabilities for network assets and materials. Omnix Asset Management may also be used for financial auditing, asset depreciation calculation, and financial reporting.

For more information or to order, email networksolutionssales@andrew.com or telephone +44(0)117 9060301.

Omnix XSP is an n-tier architecture with a Web browser client that supports all users regardless of whether they are accessing the system from within the corporate intranet, or externally via a secure connection across the Internet. The PDA client is provided for remote users of mobile devices to access certain client functions within the solution packs. The configuration client is provided as an Eclipse™ rich client platform application that runs on the desktop.

The presentation layer runs JSPs and servlets in a standard J2EE application server. The presentation layer authenticates Web users using plug-in authentication services that may be configured to authenticate against LDAP, Microsoft® Active Directory® or any other standard directory service.

The business logic layer presents stateless session bean APIs that are based on OSS/J standards. The APIs are supported over Java RMI and can be adapted via the standard OSS/J mappings to be accessed via XML/JMS or Web services.

Using Java technology ensures the best practices are utilized in designing a robust and reliable OSS platform. Andrew chose a J2EE architecture to comply with the requirements of an open systems, scaleable and industry standard approach for enterprise software development. This approach also leads to easier and more rapid integration with other OSS and supports the Enhanced Telecom Operating Map® (eTOM).

Remote Off-line Working and Mobile Device Support

Omnix also supports the use of remote client access for PDAs, handheld terminals, and laptops, via the Omnix Mobile Client. Use of these remote access devices means that site workers can pick up their latest set of work instructions without returning to base and then work off-line. Work can then be carried out off-line and the results uploaded to Omnix once re-connected via wireless LAN, GPRS, 3G or other remote connection method. All the information that a remote site worker will require can be accessed from the PDA including work orders, pick lists, audit functions, goods received notification.

Solution Objectives

Technology is a great enabler, but what really matters is delivering business benefit. This can only be achieved through a deep understanding of the challenges network operators face, and using this understanding to drive change and substantial improvements in performance.

Andrew believes that such fundamental change can only be brought about by an approach that recognizes the importance of both the process and people as well as the introduction of new systems.

Andrew’s Omnix solution delivers two core benefits to operators that are both fundamental to improving the business effectiveness of a mobile operator, effective management control and, operational effectiveness and efficiency.

Effective Management Control

Effective management control is achieved through ensuring that, what actually occurs within an organization reflects its objectives and strategy. In the context of mobile infrastructure deployment, this means ensuring that, what gets built and upgraded meets the needs of the business. Meeting the needs of the business clearly involves controlling the delivery of infrastructure, as well as consideration of cost/benefit, process efficiency, quality of delivery, and resources required.

Increased Operational Effectiveness and Efficiency

Managing projects within a mobile network involves a wide range of operational activities that have to be effectively coordinated. In the context of the solution, operational effectiveness means ensuring these activities and the supporting processes consistently deliver the required outcome. Operational efficiency is about ensuring that non-value added activity is minimized in operational process.

For more information or to order, email networksolutionssales@andrew.com or telephone +44(0)117 9060301.

AM	Asset Management
API	Application Program Interface
BO	Business Objects
BOM	Bill of Materials
DAO	Data Access Objects
DHTML	Dynamic HyperText Markup Language
EJB	Enterprise JavaBeans™
ERP	Enterprise Resource Planning
eTOM	Enhanced Telecom Operations Map®
GPRS	General Packet Radio Service
J2EE™	Java™ 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition
JMS	Java™ Message Service
JSP	JavaServer Pages
LAN	Local Area Network
LDAP	Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
OLAP	Online Application Programming
OLTP	Online Transaction Processing
OSS	Operational Support System
OSS/J	Operational Support System through Java™
PDA	Personal Digital Assistant
RFID	Radio Frequency Identification
RMI	Remote Method Invocation
SOX	Sarbanes Oxley
SRU	Site Rollout and Upgrade
XML	Extensible Markup Language
XSP	Extensible Solution Platform