Method and apparatus for evaluating network operation costs

Abstract

A method and apparatus for calculating a cost index in a communication network are described. In one embodiment, a plurality of cost factors associated with a first network operation mode is obtained. A plurality of second cost factors associated with a second network operation mode is subsequently obtained. A first cost index is then determined based on the plurality of cost factors associated with the first network operation mode. Likewise, a second cost index is determined based on the plurality of cost factors associated with the second network operation mode. Afterwards, the first cost index is compared to the second cost index to determine whether a recommendation for an implementation of the second operation mode is warranted.

1 . A method for calculating a cost index in a communication network, comprising:
 obtaining a plurality of first cost factors associated with a first network operation mode;   obtaining a plurality of second cost factors associated with a second network operation mode;   determining a first cost index based on said plurality of first cost factors;   determining a second cost index based on said plurality of second cost factors; and   comparing said first cost index to said second cost index to determine if a recommendation for an implementation of said second operation mode is to be made.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication network comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said IP network comprises a voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) network or a services-over internet protocol (SoIP) network. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first network operation mode comprises a manual operation mode. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second network operation mode comprises an automated operation mode. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second cost indexes are determined in accordance with one or more of: a dollar cost amount for a customer agent quantity and a dollar cost amount for a network component quantity. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating an alarm if said first cost index exceeds said second index by a predefined amount.   
     
     
         8 . A computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method for calculating a cost index in a communication network, comprising:
 obtaining a plurality of first cost factors associated with a first network operation mode;   obtaining a plurality of second cost factors associated with a second network operation mode;   determining a first cost index based on said plurality of first cost factors;   determining a second cost index based on said plurality of second cost factors; and   comparing said first cost index to said second cost index to determine if a recommendation for an implementation of said second operation mode is to be made.   
     
     
         9 . The computer readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the communication network comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) network. 
     
     
         10 . The computer readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein said IP network comprises a voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) network or a services-over internet protocol (SoIP) network. 
     
     
         11 . The computer readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said first network operation mode comprises a manual operation mode. 
     
     
         12 . The computer readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said second network operation mode comprises an automated operation mode. 
     
     
         13 . The computer readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second cost indexes are determined in accordance with one or more of: a dollar cost amount for a customer agent quantity and a dollar cost amount for a network component quantity. 
     
     
         14 . The computer readable medium of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 generating an alarm if said first cost index exceeds said second index by a predefined amount.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for calculating a cost index in a communication network, comprising:
 means for obtaining a plurality of first cost factors associated with a first network operation mode;   means for obtaining a plurality of second cost factors associated with a second network operation mode;   means for determining a first cost index based on said plurality of first cost factors;   means for determining a second cost index based on said plurality of second cost factors; and   means for comparing said first cost index to said second cost index to determine if a recommendation for an implementation of said second operation mode is to be made.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the communication network comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) network. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said IP network comprises a voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) network or a services-over internet protocol (SoIP) network. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said first network operation mode comprises a manual operation mode. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said second network operation mode comprises an automated operation mode. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said first and second cost indexes are determined in accordance with one or more of: a dollar cost amount for a customer agent quantity and a dollar cost amount for a network component quantity.