Portfolio News
DNA and Netwise
Ericsson purchased the company Netwise last year with the intent to use its product Netwise CMG (Customer Management Group) to replace the existing Ericsson system management product suite called Dynamic Network Administration (DNA). DNA has for some years offered a suite of components including Operator Work Station, Directory Manager and Extension Manager, all with well proven and user friendly Graphical User Interfaces for the management of MD110 and MX-ONE systems.
The strategy made sense for Ericsson, as with the expertise in DNA residing in a development location in California which was unfortunately due to close, Netwise CMG represented a very good alternate solution. As a product Netwise CMG is an already proven switching platform independent Operator and Management suite that has been marketed in other countries but not in the UK. Damovo investigated the functionality of Netwise CMG early in 2007 and found the functionality was not as good as that provided in the existing DNA suite. We highlighted areas that we felt needed to be improved to Ericsson and as a result took the decision not to offer the Netwise product to new or existing clients and instead have continued to offer DNA5.4 (now 5.5).
In the meantime Ericsson has been carrying out work on the Netwise platform to address these areas with Service Pack 2 which is due for release in the October/November 2007 timeframe. However, whilst improving the functionality with, for example, progressive searching, there remain a number of areas which, in Damovo’s opinion, need to be addressed before we can properly consider introducing Netwise as a replacement product for DNA.
The mechanics of Netwise CMG mean that at the moment it is still necessary to have the Extension Manager element of DNA to carry out moves, adds and changes. Bearing this in mind, we continue to offer DNA to new and upgrading clients as it is a logical extension to add required elements of the rest of the DNA suite. DNA will support all current releases of MD110 and MX-ONE depending on the release (i.e. 5.4, 5.5 etc).
We have received indications from Ericsson that it is addressing the required areas and will shortly publish a roadmap detailing the timing of when the changes will be incorporated into Netwise CMG. Damovo is anticipating that we will introduce the product to market sometime in the second quarter of 2008. In the meantime, we have requested a further extension to the Phase-Out of DNA for new clients and clarification on how Ericsson will migrate customers from DNA to Netwise and how this will be priced.
Please be assured we continue to monitor the situation and will bring you an update if we feel that we can accelerate any of the dates indicated.
If you require any further information please contact Damovo Portfolio Manager chris.richardson@damovo.com.
Contents 
Thank you to all of you who have forwarded suggestions for subsequent instalments of Interpreter, these have been duly noted. Please keep up the suggestions and feedback to talktous@damovo.com
