Summary Bullets:
• Intel and Amartus target new operator service orchestration demands with an approach that relies on delivering run-time, programmable, end-to-end service orchestration for cloud, WAN, and SDN/NFV applications
• The Intel/Amartus partnership needs to devote more attention toward why operators need to adopt the Amartus Chameleon SDS solution against an array of orchestration alternatives and how it fits into operator NFV MANO plans Intel and Amartus recently issued a solution brief that targets delivering runtime, programmable, end-to-end service orchestration for operator cloud, WAN, and SDN/NFV applications. Intel and Amartus propose combining Intel Xeon servers with the Amartus Chameleon SDS (software-defined service orchestration) to meet the new service provisioning and orchestration demands of supporting SDN/NFV implementations. The pair have identified that operators require more than adoption of SDN/NFV to meet their emerging next generation service provisioning challenges.
As Intel and Amartus must contend against a wide range of service orchestration solutions, how does the pair plan to differentiate and advance their service orchestration proposition within the operator channels?
• Elasticity and Automation: Intel and Amartus target the top operator priority in using SDN/NFV to render their WAN and cloud services more automated and elastic. Both companies advocate adopting an end-to-end service orchestration approach that is purpose-designed to scale the new class of pay-per-use type of services enabled by SDN/NFV technology. This positioning enables Intel and Amartus to claim an orchestration solution that avoids the limitations of traditional OSS platforms due to their incompatibility with emerging SDN/NFV architectures and overall inflexibility.
• Unified Service Orchestration: Intel and Amartus advocate that operators adopt a unified software-defined service orchestration platform that is purpose-designed to support dynamic, run-time programmability for any service or technology. The integrated Amartus SDS/Intel Xeon server solution is already based on run-time programmable principles that can support model-driven service and network orchestration. This approach allows the alliance to assert their solution avoids the fragmented service support drawbacks of legacy OSS platforms due to their hard-wiring for specific services and technologies.
As Intel and Amartus market and advocate their service orchestration proposition further into the operator channels what are the key concerns and barriers both companies need to address?:
• NFV Orchestration Battles: Intel and Amartus will need to address how their service orchestration solution can meet emerging operator NFV management and organization (MANO) demands. Intel and Amartus must convince operators that their service orchestration proposition deserves to prevail over the plethora of competing orchestration solutions flooding the market today that seemingly defy meeting operator unified management objectives. To this end, the partnership needs to demonstrate support and compliance with NFV MANO requirements that avoid the over-hyped compliance claims of rivals that plagued the embryonic phase of NFV MANO development.
• Proving New Channel Competencies: Intel and Amartus must contend with a wide variety of competitors, including network and IT equipment suppliers, claiming some version of an end-to-end (E2E) service orchestration solution. This will make the partnership’s marketing efforts more challenging to execute successfully, since few if any rivals will concede the Intel/Amartus approach is unique. In particular, Intel must prove to operators it can meet the distinct demands of E2E orchestration on the network side of operations and not just the IT side. This could extend the sales cycles of the partnership as Intel sets out to prove its operator channel competencies extend beyond processors and servers and into virtual network function (VNF) infrastructure, VNFs and NFV MANO.
Overall Intel and Amartus can make inroads with their E2E service orchestration proposition since operators are in the midst of considering network architectural overhauls that span cloud, WAN and SDN/NFV considerations. However the alliance needs more than good timing to convince operators to adopt their approach since rivals will prove keen to dilute their E2E service orchestration claims. Moreover, operators may oblige Intel and Amartus to prove an extra level of competence in extending Amartus Chameleon SDS management compliance to the NFV MANO domain.