Comverse, which supplies software and systems enabling network-based, multimedia enhanced communication and billing services, is partnering with IBM to help telecommunications service providers worldwide reduce operational costs, increase efficiencies and drive growth. 
Through a recently-signed technology and services agreement, Comverse and IBM will offer customers solutions based on IBMs software products and service delivery platform solutions, together with Comverses value-added services and billing and active customer management solutions. 
Telecommunications service providers are looking to grow and generate revenue in new ways, says Mike Hill, General Manager, Telecommunications Industry, at IBM. At the same time, they are under competitive pressures to improve the consumer experience and differentiate themselves in the marketplace. We are excited about working together with Comverse to offer value-added services such as the Converged Messaging solutions that keep pace with our clients always on world.
As part of the expanded relationship, Comverse will include IBM WebSphere Presence Server and WebSphere XML Document Management Server (XDMS) as core components of its Comverse Instant SMS product. Instant SMS helps service providers to enhance existing mobile messaging services (SMS, MMS) with the richness and real-time user experience of Instant Messaging. IBMs WebSphere Telecom Web Services Server software has been combined with Comverse value-added messaging products to help extend their value to telecommunications service providers and their subscribers.
A key example of this is Comverse Messaging Gateway and SMSC/MMSCs for value-added messaging solutions which provide support for various types of messaging-based applications, such as TV show voting. In addition, when combined with Comverse Converged Messaging, the WebSphere Telecom Web Services Server can provide a unified messaging experience and enhanced processing for all types of messaging. This suite of products and technologies is also included as part of the IBM service delivery platform solution to provide fast and efficient development and deployment of applications based on operators messaging infrastructure. 
Comverse will also utilise IBM BladeCentre technology for its value-added services offerings and IBM Power Systems technology running the AIX 5.3 operating system for its new flagship Comverse ONE Billing and Active Customer Management solution.