parameters are later provided on demand to fault management or performance management systems. In the event that a power outage is reported at an edge data center, all alarms that begin flooding the NOC from NFVIs and installed applications are automatically suppressed or de-prioritized.

In terms of service fulfillment, there are plenty of network automation tools available that promise service provisioning and activation across all CSPs’ managed domains. However, they absolutely require inventory as a data source to fulfil this task. Integration with one consolidated system is obviously an advantage in this case.

Examples of queries to the hybrid inventory solution from the network automation tool can include: 

• The retrieval of actual inventory in a customer location and all associated VNFs for a quick feasibility assessment
• Inquiring about the pre-provisioned (planned) mobile cell parameters of a virtual RAN to push them into the network

With 5G technologies, the amount of inventory objects will grow profoundly. Therefore, the visualization of hybrid resources and their capacities becomes crucial. The geo-referenced representation is especially important: it must be possible to project any kind of resource (where it makes sense, of course) onto the map to create a “birds-eye” view.

Next, the end user of such visualization must be able to easily switch between multiple views, for example, from the edge data center to the backbone capacity view. This accelerates decision-making processes for strategic and tactical network planning as well as business development. While the challenge often lies in integrating all required data into a visualization application, a hybrid resource inventory solution simplifies these processes. 

Conclusion

Overall, how ICT service providers respond to disruption will determine their ability to remain competitive in a digital world. While resource management in the 5G era is a challenge, a hybrid inventory helps ICT service providers streamline the process by managing telco, IT, and data center infrastructure holistically within one software solution. By managing all assets used in the production of services via a single, dynamically updated repository that integrates with key systems, providers will have the information and tools to support not only existing networks but also networks of the future as they undergo digital transformation. This capability gives providers the necessary visibility to convert emerging opportunities into revenue.

The Future

As we look to the future, we are bound to see new and exciting inventory software developments from augmented reality and machine learning. Augmented reality will boost operations on mobile sites and in data centers with hybrid inventory as a data source. Integrating machine learning into Discovery and Reconciliation (D&R) processes will enable massive intelligent discrepancy resolving and “discovery” of passive network domain interconnections.