New technologies for improving quality, security as well as performance, have to be integrated cost effectively and with the least operational disruption. Running networks requires dynamic adjustments of affected components, such as devices, routers, switches, firewalls; or changes or expansions to the infrastructures, this usually requires considerable manpower and effort beyond regular office hours. A network-wide introduction of new services such as VoIP, Quality of Service (QoS), etc., would be an example of this. It is crucial to roll out QoS profiles simultaneously and reliably to all affected components in order to ensure the continued quality of the voice connections.

Initially, all data relevant for the provisioning process is written to ERAMON’s master database, such as any details of new devices, already existing devices, or individual ports. For example, device types (hardware) are specified that are to be selected during a new provisioning. In the course of this process so-called config templates have to be saved, which can contain place holders (tokens). These tokens will then be replaced by real values during the actual provisioning job. A very helpful special feature here is that the different token types can be automated and even assigned with interdependent links (script, plain text, external data sources, etc.) in a variety of ways. Multiple provisioning processes can be combined very flexibly as a product or service. In addition, several hierarchical levels (CPE, PE or access layer) can be specified and taken into account. Preparation work is thus centrally organized and processes to run provisionings are carried out automatically.