The Anatomy of OSS

Several well-defined subcategories of OSS software exist today along with perhaps an equal
number of less distinct groupings. A number of different taxonomies emphasizing different
aspects of the technology may be constructed to incorporate all of the various subcategories,
but the cardinal distinctions involve the nature of the process that the software is intended to
automate. In general, OSS software will either manage the network itself so as to enable
various services for individual subscribers or manage the business transactions involving customer
requests for service and payment for the same. A third category may have the purpose of
supporting transactions with other carriers and service providers. Categories also exist for processes
such as service activation and deactivation that span the two major divisions.