ETOM: The Backbone for Telecom Companies to Establish Enterprise Practices
ETOM is the short form for Enhanced Telecom Operations Map. It is the standard for telecom companies to establish enterprise practices. It was developed by TeleManagement Forum, which is a non-profit organization that came up in 1995. ETOM primarily focuses on business processes and the links between processes. It also gives importance to other aspects such as interfaces, resources used, customer service, and supplier relationship and so on. It provides a top-down hierarchical approach of business processes across the entire organization.
ETOM implementation is also supported by TMF/NGOSS specifications. It can be sued to analyze existing organizational processes and also for the purpose of eliminating duplication and to ensure that process optimization is carried out. Those who have been following the TMN approach will find a difference in using the ETOM approach. The TMN approach manages network equipment and the network, but the ETOM Edwin Urrutia approach supports all process of the service provider enterprise.
Enhanced Telecom Operations Map Framework
Enterprise Management Standard – This includes the practices that need to be followed for efficient management of the entire enterprise. It comprises various activities such as risk management, knowledge and research management, asset management, financial management, strategic and enterprise planning.
Operations – This covers various aspects of business operations such as customer service management, customer relationship management, partner relationship management and much more.
Strategy and Infrastructure – this covers various aspects of industrial strategy such as service development, resource development, and supply chain development and so on.
ETOM Model
The ETOM Model can be used as a framework for categorizing various business activities. The foundation of the business support systems (BSS) and the operations support systems (OSS) is established by this model. It is used as the reference point for not just a telecom provider’s internal process, but also their relationships with other providers, alliances and partnerships.