While opting for a particular vendor, service provider should see whether vendors are up to the mark for service delivery as well as service assurances. In service delivery, service providers should look into parameters like inventory management, configuration management, provisioning support, and service usage support. In service assurance, service provider should look into fault management, performance data collection support, resource utilization data collection support, and QoS assurance support.

Service delivery parameters.
Inventory management support involves maintaining a record of all components that are installed in the network to support provisioning of services. It includes collection of locations, quantities of equipment, model numbers, serial numbers, versions, installation dates, and others.

Configuration management support helps in complete control of network resources, topologies, and redundancies and includes the installation and turn-up of new equipment resources; it may include the assignment of resources to trunk routes or service areas, the control of equipment, and network protection switching.

Provisioning support involves creation of specific connections and enabling of specific network features and the assignment of these to a specific subscriber for an extended period. The connections and features may take into account or be determined by a quality of service level that is guaranteed to the subscriber.

Service usage support involves measurement of the usage of the network resources by the various subscribers; this is the basis for billing.

Service assurance parameters.
Fault management support helps in monitoring of the network resources to detect malfunction, preempt failures, and detect faults. After faults are discovered, the vendors must troubleshoot, repair, and restore the network as quickly as possible. Fault management ensures that service remains available even during downtime.

Performance data collection support involves periodic collection of quality metrics that characterize performance of network resources over service intervals. It also facilitates visualization of trends that can indicate periodic or gradual degradation of physical resources.

Resource utilization data collection support helps in collection of data on the level of utilization of network resources assigned to subscribers. This data can be used to see whether the product matches to the service characteristics. Using this tool, service provider s can forecast demand and also provide QoS upgrades.

QoS assurance support ensures that the quality metrics characterizing network performance remain within the agreed limits. It requires proactive monitoring of the network fault, performance, and utilization parameters to preempt any degradation in service quality.