Martin Group Selects Microtronix as AMATPS Billing Record Collection Supplier

Software, business services and engineering firm Martin Group Inc., announced it is teaming up with Microtronix Datacom Ltd. to deliver an IP-based package for service providers with legacy network switches.

The Microtronix AMATPS Collection System supports the collection of AMA data per GR-385-Core from AMATPS compatible elements used in telco public and private telephone systems. It also includes a BX.25-TCP/IP Gateway.

The Microtronix AMATPS Collection Manager System is scalable for any number of network elements and the system can be managed from anywhere, using Microtronixs Web-based management software, said Phillipe Morin, vice president of sales and marketing.

The Microtronix AMATPS Collection System will enable our clients to poll network elements much faster than their current modem-polling solution, said Jim Odom, president and CEO of Martin Group. Some of our clients have elected not to upgrade their switch to support IP, due to the high costs involved. With Microtronix, we are able to offer our clients an effective and affordable solution, Odom added.

The AMATPS Collection Manager polls network elements for primary and secondary AMA data. Primary AMA data collection can be scheduled daily or multiple times per day, while demand polling for primary and secondary data is supported at any time. Collected AMA data files are made available to the billing application processor via FTP push or pull. AMA files are archived and rotated with a user-definable schedule.

Multiple network elements (AMATs) can be polled simultaneously up to the maximum throughput supported by the BX.25 port of each AMAT, reducing collection time significantly compared to limited-throughput modems.

The Web-based GUI gives configuration and management capabilities to a standard desktop Internet browser. Command/shell access also is available locally or remotely via Telnet.

This Collection Manager application incorporates support for the BX.25/AMATPS protocol encapsulation over TCP/IP. The Microtronix Access 3000 BX.25/TCP Gateway connects directly to the BX.25 port of the switch and the local IP network, eliminating the need for expensive X.25 switching equipment and/or modems with leased/dial lines (and their associated support costs).

The benefits of this arrangement results in the collapse of the X.25 parallel network, and the need for specialized (often obsolete) X.25 cards.

The Microtronix package also will provide users access to other IP-based solutions at a small fraction of the price to upgrade customers telephone switches.

Martin Group Inc. www.martin-group.com  

Microtronix Datacom Ltd. www.microtronix.com