NICE, France -- Granite Systems, the leading communications software provider of Service Resource Management (SRM) solutions, today announced general availability of Xng 4.1, a next-generation SRM system that provides carriers with unprecedented network information and workflow capabilities. Fully adapting to a carrier's proprietary business processes, Xng 4.1 automates critical activities such as service provisioning and customer care, both of which are of strategic importance to current and future business objectives. Xng 4.1's eXtreme scalability, openness and adaptability ensure that carriers will be able to integrate current, relevant network information into any connected business process.

Xng 4.1 is the only SRM system that enables full Data Domain Partitioning (DDP), allowing top-tier carriers to easily protect and distribute specific network information across the enterprise. DDP allows top-tier carriers to maintain large, distributed network records on a single Xng database machine, lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the system, while securely providing highly granular access to network information based on criteria as diverse as geographic region, customer and equipment age. Business applications of DDP include customer self-care as carriers partition and provide customers access to their records.

"Granite's Xng continues to focus on placing greater control of network information in the hands of carriers," stated Sanjay Mewada, director of the Yankee Group. "Service providers are asking for access to critical network information that is relevant to their business and operations decision makers. Tools such as Xng 4.1 that enable database access, flexibility and customization will go a long way in meeting those needs."

Xng 4.1's unique User Defined Classes (UDC) enable carriers to extend and customize the data objects used in the system so Xng matches the exact data models of their particular network. This measure of control over the data model provides unprecedented flexibility to carriers and SIs, enabling Xng customization without the need for source code changes. Tier 1 carrier customers are already planning to use UDCs to greatly simplify outside plant management and facilitate the transition to next-generation technologies such as wireless 3G. These UDCs, in cooperation with the long-provided UDAs (User Defined Attributes) that provide dynamic data element extensions, also ensure that future business priorities will not outpace the technology supporting them.

Additional enhancements to Xng 4.1 include:

"Carriers are looking to OSSs to give them the ability to reduce costs today and effectively position them to take advantage of the market turnaround tomorrow," stated John E. P. Borden, Jr., president and CEO of Granite Systems. "Xng has maintained its market lead by effectively bridging both needs. Numerous carriers around the globe are using Xng to develop streamlined and automated operations as well as to plan the acquisition and development of the necessary network resources for delivering tomorrow's hot services."

Granite Systems Inc.