Ameritech Maintenace & Record Keeping Systems


Here are some of the acronyms that you may encounter on the telephone companies' maintenace and record keeping systems.  It's a couple of years old now.


Loop Maintenace Operations System (LMOS)

The LMOS system mechanizes the administration support of Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)-like trouble reports.  Starting with repair service answering, automated screening and continuing through field dispatch and completion.  There are several systems related to the LMOS system that comprise the Automated Repair Service Bureau (ARSB) environment.

Mechanized Loop Test (MLT)

MLT is a mechanized test system that provides mechanized testing of the local loop circuits in conjunction with the central office switch.  It is directly related to LMOS for circuit data and communication.  In todays environment, there are two versions of MLT, MLT-1, which is the older of the two systems and MLT-2.

Cable Repair and Analysis System (CRAS)

The CRAS system is a cable trouble report analysis system.  With links to the LMOS host and MTR, CRAS collects data and allows the end-user to request analysis data to determine cable repair trends.

Automated Cable Expertise (ACE)

ACE uses data collected by CRAS to analyze the completed cable trouble reports in an effort to determine potential problems and chronic areas in the local loop plant.

Voice Customer Access System (VCAS)

VCAS is a voice interface system that allows customers to enter trouble reports directly into the LMOS system.  It also allows customers to check the status of previously entered trouble reports.

Ameritech Service Management System (ASMS)

ASMS is a Bellcore developed software application that allows customers to access LMOS and CIMAP to enter and obtain status on trouble reports.  It also allows customers to perform electronic tests and request traffic management reports.

Craft Access System (CAS)

The CAS system allows field technicians to access LMOS to receive and close trouble report data via hand-held terminals.  Field technicians are also able to request MLT test requests through the LMOS work manager.

Mechanized Trouble Analysis System (MTAS)

MTAS was developed by a small software company called Spencer & Spencer and is used to collect completed trouble report information from the LMOS host and provide internal measurement reports.  The MTAS software is owned by Ameritech and resides on mainframe computers.

Predictor

Predictor is a computer based system that collects data from various systems where preset thresholds are involked to determine probable areas of trouble in the outside plant environment.  Predictor is part of the ARSB system.

Circuit Installation and Maintenance Package (CIMAP)

CIMAP mechanizes the administration support of the installation and maintenance for special services, message trunks and interoffice facilities.  The CIMAP system consists of two primary software modules.  CIMAP/SSC (Special Service Center) mechanizes work flows, document access and transfer processes for installation and creates, distributes, tracks and logs trouble reports for maintenance.

Generic Dispatch System (GDS)

GDS mechanizes the administration support for the installation and maintenance for POTS and special services.  It is inter-related to the CIMAP product line and forms the basis for Bellcore's Work Force Administration (WFA) system.

Trunk Integrated Record Keeping System (TIRKS)

TIRKS provides for the creation and maintenance of equipment inventory and assignment records and pending equipment orders.  It also provides for the creation and maintenance of central office switching equipment assignment records including trunk relay, traffic measuring and test access.

Switched Access Remote Test System (SARTS)

SARTS is a remote test system that premits testing of special service circuits from the Switch Control Center (SCC) without assistance of technicians in the central offices.

Mechanized Time Recording (MTR)

MTR is the system used to report hours and minutes associated with work function codes of the employees.  CIMAP and GDS-SSDAC (Special Service Dispatch Adminstraion Center) have interfaces to the MTR system.

Service Order Analysis and Control (SOAC)

The SOAC interface system is a part of Bellcore's FACS system and serves as an interface between the local Service Order Processor (SOP) and GDS.  It receives the service order data from the SOP and automatically queries LFACS and COSMOS for the cable/pair and office equipment facilities.

CAS/Gateway

The CAS/Gateway application is a component of the CAS system and is currently used to obtain trouble report history information from the LMOS host by the field technicians.  It is also used to obtain cable/pair information from LFACS and planning is underway to provide access to GDS from the hand-held terminal.

Service Order Processor (SOP)

The SOP issues the service order to Operations Support Systems and accept completion information which is subsequently distributed in the billing system.  GDS will automatically enter completion statistics to the SOP via a generic SOP interface.

Automatic Line Record Update (ALRU)

The ALRU process takes completed service order data via computer tapes and reformats the information.  It then uploads the information into the LMOS host which establishes a permanent line record for the circuit in the LMOS database.

Mizar

The Mizar system is a memory administration system used by the Recent Change Memory Administration Center (RCMAC) to translate line service order data into recent change messages in an Electronic Switching System (ESS) office.  The system automatically generates recent change messages and updates switches on the appropriate date as well as making switch changes for residential service without the need for physical wire changes.

Switching Center Control System (SCCS)

SCCS provides the facilities to control, administer and maintain switching systems from a remote, central location.

Centralized Automatic Reporting On Trunks (CAROT)

CAROT provides demand and scheduled testing of analog trunks and some switched special service circuits.

Computer System - Main Frame Operations (COSMOS)

A real time computer designed as a wire center administration system for subscriber services.  It's responsible for assignment and inventory control of central office facilities.  SWITCH will replace COSMOS.

SWITCH

The new nodal inventory and assignment component for integrated provisioning, assigns both line and trunk switch ports.  It replaces COSMOS and TIRKS/Generic TAS systems while adding enhanced functionality.