Fiberside Chat: Choosing the Right Software Solution for a Streamlined Digital Transformation

 

When it comes time for telcos to pick a software solution to streamline or transform their digital transformation, the decision boils down to this question: Do they select a commercial off the shelf (COTS) software or a custom solution? 3-GISKevin Noack, Director of Information Systems, and David Stoner, Director of Product Development, shared their perspectives and insights.

“I think it’s a convergence of the digital transformation and GIS, and with the off the shelf solution, not only are you getting digital…you’re also in a common communication platform,” Noack said. “ You don’t want to be in some proprietary custom solution that you can’t get your data out and share easily or share versions of it to do different entities.” Nor do you want to be stuck with a system that doesn’t match with your unique operating and service-differentiating workflows.

So, how does a telco decide on the right option? One of the primary value points for a COTS solution is in-software maintenance and support. Another long view consideration is the configurability of the COTS software. That is the ability for the system administrators to change the configuration for user sets, workflows, UI metaphors, etc. rather than having to incur additional costs for programming changes.

“Having a COTS solution allows various departments to have various access points into the application without having to do a different customized version for each department,” Noack continued.

“Really when it gets down to it, when an end user is using a system, they want it to look and feel customized for their job function. And through configuration, we really can control the look and feel and down to the workflow level for that individual group,” Stoner added. “That’s very powerful…you think about a team of disparate user bases using the same central platform to get their job done and being able to provide that custom feel without the custom application code makes a big difference.”

Be sure to subscribe to our industry publication for the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Software & Technology Industry.

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

college
Gamifying College Readiness: How Loper Makes the Enrollment Journey More Engaging!
October 16, 2025

High schoolers are overwhelmed — and not just by homework. The path to college can feel like a maze of forms, essays, and deadlines, with little guidance on where to begin. A recent survey found that nearly three-quarters of students describe the college application process as “difficult.” For many, that difficulty isn’t academic; it’s…

Read More
Image
How Polygon’s Smart Moisture Control System Protected a Mass Timber Student Housing Project
October 16, 2025

Amid the rise of sustainable architecture, mass timber has become a powerful symbol of progress — a material that marries renewable design with modern efficiency. Yet, in the damp climate of Vancouver, BC, sustainability meets its match: moisture. Managing humidity levels in large-scale wood construction isn’t just a matter of comfort; it’s about protecting structural…

Read More
Classroom air quality and student performance
The Hidden Factor Shaping Student Success: Classroom Air Quality
October 15, 2025

By Dan Walsh, VP & GM at AAA Home Services, and Christine Willing, CEO of Think Happy Live Healthy. Why Air Quality Matters in Schools When we think about improving schools, conversations often center on curriculum, technology, or staffing. But there’s a silent, invisible factor that profoundly influences student health, behavior, and learning outcomes: the…

Read More
Chase Harris
Faith, Fatherhood, and Fortitude: Inside Chase Harris’ Mission to Make Accessibility Possible for Every Child
October 15, 2025

Chase Harris is a father, husband, entrepreneur, and all-around force of light. Alongside his wife, Carly, and their son, Cash, he has inspired millions online through messages of resilience, faith, and family. Their story is one of turning adversity into action — and hardship into hope. “We knew early on that Cash had this special…

Read More