Modelling Inheritances in Databases

Modelling class inheritance in databases is fairly easy if the design specs are laid out well. The SID model uses inheritance to replicate classes like PartyRole. This link is a good example to show how inheritances can be mapped out in Databases, using single table or multiple tables.

How to Model Inheritance in Database by Guy Burstein

Introduction to the SID Model

This is an excellent source for an introduction to the SID architecture. Copyrights by MetaSolv and TMForum 2004.

Click here for the Introduction to SID

Read page 39 guidelines to development of concepts like PARTY, ABEs and CUSTOMER. The SID model lacks documentation on Supplier/Partner domain. I suggest the CUSTOMER can be used to carry out some of the tasks.

SID Modelling

Information modelling using SID can get tricky, especially because companies vary from one another in terms of business requirements, size, etc although within the Telecom Environment.

This is a generic layout by TMForum, which I mapped out answering the questions 'Who', 'What', 'Where', 'When', 'Why' and 'How'.

Reference: http://www.cybercorlin.net/

SID Domains

SID - an initiative by TMForum to lay out data/information requirements for static business entities, rather than dynamic processes. It's often talked of in parallel to eTOM - eTOM is the Operations wing for Telecom Service Providers of TMForum, whereas SID is the Business perspective.

The domains comprising of the SID data model are:

Reference: Markovits, Lam, Braun "Information Modelling of Trouble - A Service Provider View" http://teleholonics.eng.uts.edu.au/pubs_archive/TT_repContel.pdf

Who or What is SID

Who's SID?
SID stands for Shared Information and Data, is TMForum's conceptualized data structure for managing various OSS from an IS perspective. The TM Forum Information Framework (SID) provides the common language for communicating the concerns of the four major groups of constituents represented by the four NGOSS Views. Used in combination with the Business Process Framework (eTOM) and activity descriptions it becomes possible to create a bridge between the business and Information Technology groups thereby providing definitions that are understandable by the business, but are also rigorous enough to be used for software development.

Why SID?
Competition in the Telecom market results in service providers to offer new and innovative products – managed by complex OSS platforms/tools. As the array widens, the different OSS have different data requirements – resulting in a cause to decentralize operations and support from IS (Information System) perspective.

TMForum’s SID is a standardized enterprise data structure designed to manage this requirement across various platforms.

Go to main site: http://www.tmforum.org/browse.aspx?catID=1696

Telecom Standards for IS

ITIL – (IT Infrastructure Library) is the only consistent and comprehensive documentation of best practice for IT Service Management (ITSM). Used by many hundreds of organisations around the world, a whole ITIL philosophy has grown up around the guidance contained within the ITIL books and the supporting professional qualification scheme.
Go to main site: http://www.itil-officialsite.com/AboutITIL/WhatisITIL.asp

ITSM – (IT Service Management) is a discipline/ school of thought/ philosophy for managing information technology (IT) systems, philosophically centered on the customer's perspective of IT's contribution to the business

TMForum (TeleManagement Forum) - The TM Forum is an industry association focused on transforming business processes, operations and systems for managing and monetizing on-line Information, Communications and Entertainment services. It's an international consortium of CSPs and their suppliers. The Forum has over 700 global members from across the converging industries of telecom, cable, media and the Internet.
Go to main site: http://www.tmforum.org/AbouttheTMForum/730/home.html

NGOSS (New Generation Operations Systems and Software) is the TMForum’s programme to provide ways to help Communication Service Providers to manage their business.

The TM Forum Solution Frameworks (NGOSS) are the industry’s only true standard for development and deployment of easy to integrate, flexible, easy to manage OSS (Operational Support Systems) & BSS (Business Support Systems) components. The frameworks define for Service Providers and their suppliers a comprehensive, integrated framework for developing, procuring and deploying operational and business support systems and software.
Go to main site: http://www.tmforum.org/NGOSS/1911/home.html/NGOSS/1911/home.html

eTOM (Enhanced Telecom Operations Map) – part of the NGOSS programme. Initially designed to focus just on operational needs of a Telecom Service Provider, eTOM (the extended version) added strategic, marketing, product life cycle, and enterprise process elements.

My personal view of the eTOM specification.

With an extension :

Reference: Jenny Huang, http://www.bptrends.com/
Read Main Article: http://www.bptrends.com/publicationfiles/01-05%20eTOM%20and%20ITIL%20-%20Huang.pdf