HP Helps Telecoms Create App Stores to Build Customer Loyalty and Grow Business

BERLIN - HP today announced a solution that enables communications service providers (CSPs) to offer their customers a fast, easy way to shop for, download and manage mobile services and entertainment content.

CSPs have a critical need to enable new business models and leverage third parties to bring innovative services and applications to market. Many are creating app stores to help win, retain and improve customer loyalty in a fast-changing mobile internet market.

Announced at the SDP Global Summit, the HP SDP Storefront Portal solution is based on the company’s service delivery platform (SDP) technology. The solution is packaged with a framework to enable two-sided business models: wholesale and retail. CSPs can monetize their assets with features such as:

- an easy-to-use marketplace, with access to thousands of digital assets for consumers
- vibrant partner relationship management functions, such as simplified tools and application programming interfaces (APIs), that developers can use to create enriched applications
- a test-and-certification module to ensure that applications work as intended on subscriber devices

“The success of mobile operator app stores will depend heavily on front-end ease of use that appeals to subscribers as well as back-end SDP infrastructure that attracts developers,” said Shira Levine, directing analyst at Infonetics, an international market research and consulting firm. “Solutions like HP’s that expose network assets such as call control, location, messaging and presence will help developers create the new services that operators need.”

“To reclaim their place in the mobile value chain, CSPs must build attractive app stores that both consumers and developers can take advantage of,” said David Sliter, vice president and general manager, Communications and Media Solutions, HP Enterprise Services. “App stores depend on developers, and the new HP SDP Storefront Portal solution will allow CSPs to engage and manage an exponentially larger developer community.”

Flexible HP solution can expand to meet future needs

The HP SDP Storefront Portal is an integrated solution with an extensible framework that can help CSPs link service delivery platforms to the app store business model. The solution includes the following key components:

- App Store – Enables mobile subscribers to access different application catalogs, providing them with a rich and enjoyable one-stop shopping experience. They can easily browse, view and buy applications and digital content for their particular wireless device.
- Developer Portal – Provides developer kits, APIs, self-service tools, partner relationship management and life cycle management tools that help developers monetize network and IT APIs, manage their usage and, ultimately, enable developers to create and on-board applications. Integrated with the Developer Portal, the DeviceAnywhere Proof Center and Test Automation for Smart Devices solutions enable CSPs to automate customer experience testing with all devices to assure quality, reduce costs and speed time to market.

HP SDP Storefront Portal has been deployed at CSPs worldwide.

More information is available at www.hp.com/go/SDP.

HP’s premier client event, HP DISCOVER, takes place Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 in Vienna, Austria. The event showcases how organizations can get started on their Instant-On Enterprise journeys.

About HP

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