Introduction
Find out how Globema helped GlobalConnect migrate telecommunication network data to a network inventory system based on GE Smallworld and supported a seamless merger of two telco companies.
Contents:
Industry: Telecommunications
Country: Denmark
Solution: Data Migration, Smallworld
Category: Network Inventory
GlobalConnect is a big telecommunication company operating in Northern Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Their physical network comprises of 100 000 kilometers of fiber, 3 300 access nodes, and 16 datacenters of a total surface of 33 000 square meters.
About the Project
In 2018 GlobalConnect A/S acquired the Danish fiber network provider Nianet A/S. The merger of the two companies meant that also two different production OSS landscapes with different standards of data flows, modeling & maintenance routines had to be combined.
As Globema was helping Nianet maintain their Smallworld base solution prior to the acquisition by GlobalConnect, we were asked to assist in the process of merging the physical network inventory solutions utilized by the two companies.
Challenges & Requirements
This included:
- understanding the ConnectMaster data model
- migrating data from ConnectMaster & MapInfo to GE Smallworld Physical Network Inventory (PNI) and Physical Route Manager (PRM)
Solution
What did we deliver to GlobalConnect? We performed workshops and a thorough technical analysis which resulted in providing a detailed description of the proposed migration process, including both network data and system features.
We used the data integration platform FME to convert & aggregate spatial data from MapInfo into a special intermediary database.
We created an automatic Smallworld configuration with necessary specifications, templates, and data types.
We migrated all successive data layers such as structures (trenches, ducts, manholes), cables, rack-mounted devices, fiber connections and fiber relations to represent customer services.
The most challenging part was that both systems contained location information about exactly the same real-life underground structures. They needed to be carefully analyzed and combined. Thankfully most of the work was carried out automatically. We verified the data on every stage of the migration process and performed data cleansing where necessary.
Effects
Thanks to the work performed by Globema’s team, GlobalConnect gained a top quality, unified and comprehensive network inventory system based on the GE Smallworld platform. It provides a single source of knowledge about physical network resources across all company departments.
Smallworld has introduced further process automation at the company. To provide an example: calculations and reports that were previously prepared manually, can now be generated using standard tools provided within Smallworld PNI.
Implementing the new system also helped eliminate data gaps and improve the overall quality of data stored in the network inventory system.
The Network Data Migration at GlobalConnect in Numbers
This is how much information about GlobalConnect’s telco network has been migrated to the new Smallworld network inventory system:
Further Developments
We have been providing services to Nianet A/S since 2016 and before its merger with GlobalConnect. Currently we provide technical support services covering the whole Smallworld environment of GlobalConnect Denmark, including Globema’s original modules (PRM, ONA & History Module) and customizations.
The company also intends to work with Globema on new projects, including the delivery of Smallworld PNI enhancements.
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