Free Service Overview

The 800 Service Management System (SMS/800) is an operations support system (OSS) used for the creation and maintenance of North American toll free call processing records. SMS/800 is also the source of availability of toll-free numbers and reservation status information. Many users call Service Management System 800 the “National Database”.

All service providers that assign toll-free numbers for use within the US and Canada use SMS/800 to check the availability of specific numbers, reserve numbers, create customer records, and download records to service checkpoints ( SCP) of the local exchange operator to facilitate call processing.

New customer records (CRs) and changes to existing CRs are uploaded to the SMS/800 by a responsible organization (Resp Org). The Resp Org (usually a telecommunications provider) is an organization designated to manage and administer a customer’s SMS/800 records. The organizations resp. they must go through a certification process to gain access to the national database.

After creating or changing the CR, SMS/800 downloads the appropriate information to service control points (SCPs) that direct free traffic by providing routing and carrier identification information. The CR contains the call handling instructions and options chosen by the customer. These options could include choosing multiple carriers (for example, Verizon or Qwest) for different time periods or routing calls to alternate destinations.

free provisioning

Currently, there are more than 200 resp organizations. who input data into the SMS/800. There are four basic methods for provisioning (entering, changing, or creating) this data:

Machined Generic Interface (MGI)

Some MGI users are large telecommunications providers (for example, AT&T). Other organizations resp. they buy access to sophisticated front-end systems that increase the efficiency of their free call provisioning users. In each case, as the user sets up customer records, the record is automatically transferred, via MGI, to SMS/800.

The MGI is connected to the SMS/800 via a high speed (56kbps) or frame relay (64k) data link. The organizations responsible they can look up and reserve numbers, as well as create or update customer records, through MGI.

The primary benefit of MGI access is that a user can update hundreds or thousands of toll free numbers with powerful online bulk change commands (no need for tape or email to the help desk).

batch tape

Batch tape users write customer record data to digital tape. The tape is then physically shipped to the SMS/800 production site (for example, via US mail) where it is loaded into the SMS/800. The organizations responsible they can create or update customer records by batch tape, but they cannot reserve numbers by batch tape. Due to the real-time nature of number reservations, those activities are handled online.

Online access (3270 terminal emulation)

Online users access SMS/800 through a dedicated private line which is typically a 9.6 kbps link, or through dial-up facilities. The organizations responsible they can look up and reserve numbers, as well as create or update customer records through online access. Most updates are made to only one toll-free number at a time.

Web Based Access (WBA)

Internet users access SMS/800 through a dedicated line or dial-up connection to an Internet service provider. Most updates are made to only one toll-free number at a time.

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Overview of basic toll free provisioning activities

SMS/800 provides three basic support functions: 1) number search and reservation; 2) creation and modification of customer records; and 3) reporting.

1. Toll-free number search/reservation

The organization of resp. You can search for available ten-digit toll-free numbers residing in the database. Random searches and pattern matching (for custom numbers) are available. A responsible organization You can reserve a spare number for a maximum period of 45 days. Reserved toll free numbers that are not activated within 45 days will be converted from reserved status and returned to the spare number pool. The maximum number of toll-free numbers that an organization resp. you can have in reserve status at any given time is equal to 8 percent of your working numbers or 2,000 numbers, whichever is greater.

2. Creating and modifying customer records

The organization of resp. You can create and modify customer records in the SMS/800 and schedule the date and time that the records will be activated in the SCPs. SMS/800 also supports a variety of special capabilities intended to allow the response organization and the subscriber to manage, monitor, and control the traffic associated with the toll-free number.

3. Report Generation

Numerous exception and administrative reports are available.

data output

SMS/800 downloads information to Service Control Points (SCPs), as appropriate. There are approximately 20 mated pairs of SCPs spread across the United States and Canada. The SMS/800 is connected to the SCPs via data links.

Summary

This article provides an overview of provisioning toll free services in North America. Concepts covered include National Database, Customer Registries, Responsive Organizations, Service Control Points, Access Technologies (MGI, Batch Tape, 3270, Web) and Search/Reservation, RC Creation and Modification, and Reports.