QoS (Quality of Service) and Network Management are old topics. However, the fusion of IP style multimedia and wireless networks (3G) means that network managers who might previously have dealt with one or the other, must now manage and provide service guarantees for the both. This is where Managing Service Level Quality across Wireless and Fixed Networks steps in. It begins by examining the mechanisms that already existed in fixed IP data networks prior to the introduction of probe and agent technology. A look at these later developments is then supplemented with a real-world scenario of how real time application performance monitoring can not only provide service level management but can also aid in root cause analysis. This same model is then applied to a wireless environment examining which elements are required to be able to deliver multimedia services across 2nd and 3rd generation mobile networks, detailing the components of data networking that will assist in guaranteeing service level performance and the constraints placed on those guarantees when passing services over an air interface to a wireless-enabled device. It asks a simple question: will multimedia applications and the guaranteed levels of service required by them work when traversing from fixed to wireless networks? It tracks QoS components and mechanisms of both environments and looks at what will provide the glue in this brave new converged world and also provides empirical data to back up the conclusions drawn. First book available which applies QoS techniques and technologies to wireless/mobile networks 3G/UMTS Deals with the search for the real time information that constitutes the "customer experience" in terms of application performance so that service levels can be verified against measurable and relevant data in a true end-to-end manner across both fixed and wireless networks Presents probe and agent technology Features a real-world scenario of how real time application performance monitoring can not only provide service level management but can also aid in root cause analysis - this will be of particular interest to practitioner Analyses which elements are required in order to deliver multimedia services across 2nd and 3rd generation mobile networks Details the components of data networking that will assist in guaranteeing service level performance Essential reading for Wireless and IP data network professionals/practitioners, network managers and architects, technical consultants, quality assessment engineers, infrastructure vendors, application developers, portal designers, wireline operators, lecturers, postgraduates, senior undergraduate students and industry trainees.

The overwhelming majority of a software system’s lifespan is spent in use, not in design or implementation. So, why does conventional wisdom insist that software engineers focus primarily on the design and development of large-scale computing systems? In this collection of essays and articles, key members of Google’s Site Reliability Team explain how and why their commitment to the entire lifecycle has enabled the company to successfully build, deploy, monitor, and maintain some of the largest software systems in the world. You’ll learn the principles and practices that enable Google engineers to make systems more scalable, reliable, and efficient—lessons directly applicable to your organization. This book is divided into four sections: Introduction—Learn what site reliability engineering is and why it differs from conventional IT industry practices Principles—Examine the patterns, behaviors, and areas of concern that influence the work of a site reliability engineer (SRE) Practices—Understand the theory and practice of an SRE’s day-to-day work: building and operating large distributed computing systems Management—Explore Google's best practices for training, communication, and meetings that your organization can use

This text enables IT managers to create a detailed and practical SLM strategy and shows them how to implement it in their organizations.

Even today with quality improvement the battle cry of American industry, the quality programs in most companies are limited to "conformance to technical standards," according to quality expert Bradley Gale. While some have ventured a step farther to measure customer satisfaction, few of them, Gale demonstrates, have attempted to track market-perceived "quality" -- how buyers select among competing suppliers, why orders are won or lost, and which competitors are succeeding in which market segments. Using cases including Milliken & Company; AT&T, United Van Lines, and Gillette, Gale shows how leading-edge companies have gone beyond the minimal achievements of conformance quality and customer satisfaction to focus on the third, higher stage, "market-perceived quality versus competitors" and aspire to an emerging fourth stage, "true strategic management." Drawing on his extensive research at AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Parke-Davis, and other world-class companies, Gale provides new metrics for market-perceived quality that are straightforward and easy to interpret. His set of seven integrative tools for customer value analysis makes up the heart of the "war room wall" to help guide business-unit teams in their effort to outperform competitors in satisfying customers. The great value of these tools is that they are derived from a future-oriented strategic navigation system that tracks competitive information and market-perceived quality. Learning to master this system accelerates customer satisfaction from a slogan to a science and leads ultimately to true strategic management -- the fourth stage of Total Quality Management. The processes described in this book provide an insider's perspective on the criteria of the Baldrige Award. Bradley Gale's insights and innovative methods for defining, measuring, and improving market-perceived quality will create an entirely new thrust for the worldwide quality movement.

"This book is for strategic decision makers as it discusses quality issues related to Web services"--Provided by publisher.

This book holds the key to creating enduring, satisfying and profitable relationships between customer and supplier. It shows how both internal and external services and supply can be aligned to meet business vision, mission, goals, critical success factors and key performance indicators. The techniques described will help you balance service cost against quality, leading to competitive advantage and business success. They can be applied to any industry, to any supply or support service. They have been used by leading companies internationally - and they work!

Over a long period of time we were receiving demand from different customers and stakeholders requesting our help with analyzing actual levels of IT management practices in their companies and to provide an external, objective look at IT, compare it with other organizations and develop a management summary of our overall findings. While this seems like a straight forward request and is covered by many consulting service providers, we struggled to develop answers to some very simple questions which are crucial to the different management levels from CEO level to IT professionals delivering operational support to the end user. Key questions we were requested to answer: _ How good is our IT? _ How is the quality of our IT evolving? _ How do we compare with other IT departments in similar organizations? _ How do we align the perception of quality between the business and IT? _ Can you compare the quality and costs of our IT? There are many existing assessment approaches based on ISO/IEC, capability models, maturity models, structured surveys as well as there being many different benchmarking approaches that provide detailed analytical outputs. These are typically focused and targeted internally, providing largely internal benefits to a company’s IT organization, looking mostly at the presence of documentation and processes, but none of them providing a comprehensive and straight forward answer to address the simple yet fundamental question asked by management – HOW GOOD IS OUR IT? We believe that a simple question should have a simple answer.

"This book gives both scientists and practical experts an insight into the many different facets of IT service quality management"--Provided by publisher.

Most suppliers lose around 16% of their customers each year. The reason? Poor service — whether perceived or real. Any technology-based support service, whether in-house, contracted or outsourced, stands to be accused of being insensitive to the requirements of its customers (or users). Equally, customers of a support service may have unrealistic expectations of what can be reasonably provided. Service Level Agreements (SLAs) can overcome these gulfs. A Service Level Agreement can create harmony between parties and can prevent disputes between customers and suppliers. It can justify investment and identify the "right" quality of service. It can mean the difference between business success and failure. SLAs are potentially a strategic tool to align all support services (particularly IT) directly to business mission achievement. In the past, few organizations used them in this way. Armed with this book and the companion SLA FRAMEWORK, more and more businesses are now succeeding. Where are SLAs going? Increasingly business-focused. Increasingly measured in real-time. Simple documents that cover complex service infrastructures. Providing a competitive edge. Embracing penalties. The brave, who commit to tight SLAs and perform against them will win the commercial spoils. This book provides the knowledge and tools based on fifteen years of intensive development to ensure your enterprise is among the winners.