The OSA-Parlay standard specifies the framework and service interfaces without imposing any way of using them.  A network provider can set any level of security it wants, and can choose to enable or disable access to any service capability feature as it sees fit.  As different providers may offer different service capability features, OSA-Parlay offers a service discovery interface through which a third party can query which capabilities are available.

Applications

With OSA-Parlay it is possible to do any service that can be done with Intelligent Networks.  The network internal IN application protocol is simply replaced by an external query-response system that passes control to external application servers.  Many equipment vendors are therefore introducing OSA-Parlay platforms as the next generation product in their IN product line.

But the real potential of OSA-Parlay is in combining network services with enterprise data, which was very difficult to achieve with Intelligent Networks.   Examples of such new services that can be done with OSA-Parlay are: applications that deliver content dependent on location and terminal capabilities, enterprise controlled policies, company screened employee calls from mobile phones, virtual call centers and content based charging of download traffic.  Any application that relies on the integration of  public network functionality with enterprise back-office applications is a candidate for implementation with OSA-Parlay.

Equipment Vendors

Where to buy an OSA-Parlay platform?  Almost all of the large manufacturers (Alcatel, Comverse, Ericsson, Lucent and many more) have included OSA-Parlay platforms in their product lines.  But apart from these giants there are many smaller companies that specialize in OSA-Parlay products.  Some examples are Appium, Aepona, Incomit, Kabira and Oksijen. Many of these products are independent of the underlying telecommunications platform and can be integrated in existing network configurations.

 Research