Forward Thinking 2007

IMS provides a powerful tool to support wireline and wireless service providers with applicaWhether in business or life, the end of a year is always a good time to step backward and reflect on the past while also taking a look at where the future will lead. IMS enjoyed a year of rising prominence and promise in 2006, thanks in part to the realization that IMS is the key to supporting enhanced services as well as providing an attractive transition from circuit-switched to IP-based networks. A simple search of “IMS technology” on the Internet underscores the general interest in IMS. In less than one second, the search yielded over 10 million sites. By the close of 2007, this number will increase dramatically.tions delivery to support enhanced services, service convergence and network convergence to provide new revenue generating services to end users.

Yet for all its rising promise, plenty of challenges and questions continue to plague IMS. As noted in the past, ambiguities over IMS standards, protocols, interfaces and interoperability continue to hinder its development. The uncertainty doesn’t end with interfaces or interoperability. The market may simply be unsure how to reap IMS’ promise quickly and efficiently. “Its very flexibility and diverse promotions by vendors are creating confusion,” warns Dr. Brydon of Sound Partners Limited in a recent report. “Vendors claim that IMS will bring diverse benefits for network operators, but hype and lack of clarity make it difficult for operators to identify the most significant short- and long-term-term gains, and to define a robust strategy for deployment of IMS.”

IMS’ robust but uneasy future isn’t unique among emerging technologies. But that doesn’t mean its ultimate success guaranteed either. All those involved in IMS must dedicate themselves to making 2007 the year IMS truly begins to reap its rewards by identifying and demonstrating its clear value-position and working to overcome protocol standards and interoperability issues.

The IMS Forum (News - Alert) (www.IMSForum.org) remains at the forefront of achieving all this. The Forum is eagerly linking up with like-minded associations to promote awareness and common interests that will advance IMS development and deployment. We’re also working to raise awareness of IMS through conferences, speaking events and various outreach efforts. And, of course, the Forum is launching its Plugfest program that will establish an industry recognized certification of interoperable IMS applications and services. For more information on IMS Plufest, visit www.IMSForum.org.

More needs to be done and companies, associations and individuals must work together in 2007 to overcome some of our common hurdles. This can come through working with the IMS Forum, supporting programs like IMS Forum Plugfest and working to clearly communicate IMS’ overriding value position. Ultimately, IMS must gain industry mindshare in a way that leaves little doubt of its overwhelming value and return on investment. Superior technology alone may not achieve this. It must be accompanied by superior communications messaging and industry cooperation to develop cohesive deployment guidelines and ROI strategies for implementation of VoIP and Enterprise applications with a new generation of revenue generating services in multimedia, IPTV (News - Alert), mobility and access through enhanced Broadband technologies.

Michael Khalilian is the President and Chairman of the IMS Forum and CTO, Pervasip Corp.

For membership information, or to participate in IMS Forum working groups, plugfest and membership info please visit www.IMSForum.org or contact Michael Khalilian [email protected].