I am pleased to use this issue of Insight to introduce OSS Observer, which Analysys Mason acquired on 26 June 2008. Later in this edition, Larry Goldman, one of the founders, sets out his view of the acquisition and why he believes joining Analysys Mason provides the best opportunity to take forward their telecoms software research activity. Before that, I want to say a few words about why we decided that the acquisition of OSS Observer was a key part of the redevelopment of our research portfolio.
One industry trend we track is the move to next generation – and I have deliberately not said what aspect of next generation, as the term captures everything from infrastructure to end-user services. With the evolution to next generation comes a requirement for the provision of a more tangible customer experience and of flexibility, much of which is delivered by the software that sits around communications systems, which is increasingly known just as ‘telecoms software’. It is in this field that OSS Observer has developed an excellent reputation with its research, which covers a range of topics from billing and customer care to service delivery platforms.
The OSS Observer team, led by Larry Goldman, will become a practice in the Analysys Mason research division. I want to reassure customers that the OSS Observer team will continue to deliver the range of high-quality research for which it is known. Larry’s team will also take over the running of Analysys Mason’s existing telecoms research product, Next-generation telecoms IT. Larry and the team will also continue to be seen regularly at many industry events.
Becoming part of Analysys Mason allows further investment in the telecoms software research the team is known for – and will also facilitate development of a set of custom research and consulting propositions that will allow customers’ more specific needs to be addressed. Priorities for the remainder of this year include ensuring that service continues to be delivered seamlessly to OSS Observer customers, extending the OSS Observer customer base to include more communications service providers (CSPs) and development of the new propositions already mentioned.
I am delighted to have OSS Observer as part of the Analysys Mason team and look forward, as I am sure our customers do, to working with them.
Tony Lavender
Partner, Research
“We have chosen to become a part of Analysys Mason because it assures our ability to continue producing leading market research and expanding our business. Analysys Mason is the world’s premier specialist adviser in telecoms, IT and media. Through its global presence, it delivers strategy advice, operations support, and market intelligence to leading commercial and public sector organisations in over 80 countries.
Inevitably a small firm like ours must go through some changes as it continues to grow and meet its customers’ needs. We think this move is the best way for us to continue producing the research we have in the past, get more deeply involved with CSP analysis, expand our range of coverage and offer a broader range of custom services to our customers.
Analysys Mason has made OSS Observer the team that delivers the combined OSS Observer research product and the existing Analysys Mason Next-generation telecoms IT research. The existing Analysys Mason research resources will be combined with the current OSS Observer analyst team in an organisation led by Larry Goldman as Head of Global Telecom Software research and Patrick Kelly as the Research Director.
Part of OSS Observer's commitment to Analysys Mason is fully to deliver the planned research programme for our existing customers. In addition, Analysys Mason's greater financial resources, experienced CSP research programme and strong consulting resources enable us to offer a greater breadth and depth of capabilities for our customers in the months and years ahead. We will continue to deliver the same research and we will be able to undertake more in-depth projects that up to now have been beyond the scope of our resources.
In the short term, the only change you will see is the Analysys Mason logo and copyright appearing on our documents and Web site. Over the next few months, you will see some of the benefits of this new arrangement; for instance, in the fall we will shift to Analysys Mason's Web site, from which you will be able to obtain all your available research whenever you want it. The need to invest in more sophisticated ways to deliver our research reports is an example of the benefit OSS Observer and our clients get from Analysys Mason.
Analysys Mason's greatest strength is their in-depth consultation with CSPs. They have a very large business evaluating the revenue opportunities and operational challenges for CSPs all over the world. We will be working with our new colleagues at Analysys Mason to become engaged in these consultations and to leverage the unique access they have to strengthen the research we deliver to our existing customers.”
Larry Goldman
Head of Global Telecoms Software practice
On 1 July 2008 Larry and Tony hosted a Webcast to discuss the acquisition in more detail. Download the slides here.
For more information visit the OSS Observer website: www.ossobserver.com