It's a common complaint with service providers, vendors and enterprise customers: More standardization is needed in the industry. The frustration behind the complaint isn't just whining, though.

As much as service providers and vendors might want to introduce new services, they can't effectively do so until all the disparate systems within their own walls are integrated. Even more so, it's imperative that their networks, back-office systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems and all the other systems communicate effectively with both customers and vendors. If new service models – think digital communications – are ever going to replace legacy systems that need overhauling, they're going to have to work together simply and effectively at a low cost to do so.

Which is why the TM Forum's Frameworx system has become so popular – not just with service providers, but with vendors. As increasingly complex services are delivered across multiple platforms, products and partners, Frameworx users – which are made up of 90 percent of the world's largest service providers – are increasingly demanding Frameworx as a method for creating a common frame of reference with project members. The reason? They're seeing observable benefits in clarity of understanding among project members and standardization of data.

These are some of the latest findings in this month's Heavy Reading Service Provider IT Insider, "Frameworx Proves Valuable Tool For Implementing SOA." This report examines how the TM Forum's Frameworx is being used by service providers to overcome the challenges of their legacy systems to adopt new services, including examining how Frameworx benefits users, drivers for using Frameworx and trends users expect to see over the next 24 months. It includes a comparative analysis of how Frameworx users and their reactions to Frameworx, as well as challenges the TM Forum faces.

Not only are service providers using Frameworx internally, but about 88 percent say they're using it as a common frame of reference with suppliers. In fact, more than 70 percent are mandating Frameworx in many or all specifications – up from 63 percent in 2011.

But it's not just an issue of standardization. Frameworx users say it simplifies IT architecture, which increases the agility of service providers. The end result of using Frameworx for many service providers is an improved ability to facilitate the introduction of new technologies, as well as an increase in the speed with which they can deploy services.

— Denise Culver, Research Analyst, Heavy Reading Service Provider IT Insider

Frameworx Proves Valuable Tool For Implementing SOA, a 13-page report in PDF format, is available as part of an annual subscription (6 bimonthly issues) to Heavy Reading Service Provider IT Insider, priced at $1,595. Individual reports are available for $900.