The ClearVision Management System

Overview

The Service Provider Dilemma

ClearAccess recognizes that today’s connected home is composed of more than just a family PC in the living room. Devices such as laptops, gaming consoles, iPhones, network storage devices, set-top boxes, and Internet cameras are finding their way into connected homes across the globe at a staggering rate. Service providers are presented with a choice: simply provide the broadband connection and face obsolescence or monetize the broadband connection and achieve greater sustainability and profitability.

See More. Do More. Be More.™

The ClearVision Management System offers service providers new possibilities in broadband deployments including the ability to automatically activate and configure subscribers with Connect and Surf^®, manage TR-069 compliant gateways and other home networking devices, and deliver Advanced Data Services (e.g. Managed WiFi, Managed Firewall, Content Filtering, Internet Time Blocking, and more) over a variety of network types including DSL, fiber, cable, T1/E1, wireless and satellite.

Deployment options include a highly-reliable hosted offering as well as an on-site server. The hosted offering enables service providers to begin managing devices in short order without the need to install hardware in their premise. If at any point a service provider chooses to switch to an on-site server ClearAccess can migrate the existing subscribers and associated devices enabling the transition.

Why Choose ClearVision?

Fewer truck rolls & shorter support calls

Rising fuel costs and overburdened support personnel affect service providers across the globe. ClearVision enables you to remotely see and manage the subscriber’s gateway along with other devices in the home or office network. A support call that used to require a site visit or take considerable time over the phone to resolve can now be handled remotely in a fraction of the time. Customer support can instantly observe if a subscriber’s computer or other network device is connected to the gateway, if disconnected the support call can be focused on establishing basic connectivity. If the gateway requires updated firmware or configuration changes (e.g. WiFi, IPTV, firewalls, or other services) the support representative can take action remotely without requiring any involvement from the subscriber.

Better managed IPTV deployments

See and manage your IPTV set-top boxes with TR-135 support. Take advantage of new capabilities like statistics and monitoring information to assist in decision making and IPTV optimizations. By leveraging TR-069 you are able to remotely configure Ethernet ports on the gateway to accommodate any number of IPTV set-top boxes offering greater deployment flexibility. When a subscriber requests another set-top box for a new TV you can simply mail the equipment to them and provision the gateway in advance. If the subscriber downgrades from IPTV to an Internet only plan you can change the Ethernet ports on the gateway as appropriate. Gateway statistics such as throughput, errors, and retransmissions help you to be proactive and troubleshoot IPTV issues before the customer calls in for support.

New incremental service revenues

Monetize the subscriber’s broadband connection and stay in front of the competition. New data services such as Managed WiFi, Managed Firewall, Content Filtering, and Internet Time Blocking can be remotely activated on the gateway and are simple to support. In a matter of seconds either the subscriber or support personnel can setup the various services as the situation requires. With UDM™ (Universal Device Management) you can see and manage any device in the home network that has a web interface enabling you to offer new support capabilities for devices such as WAPs (Wireless Access Points) and home monitoring solutions. Support for TR-104 and TR-140 enables you to manage IP Phones and NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices further expanding your services portfolio. With more and more services on the way, ClearVision enables you to remain profitable and competitive.

Increased customer satisfactio & retention

Fewer truck rolls and shorter support calls resonate loudly with service providers and subscribers alike. New ‘sticky’ data and home networking services help you retain your current subscribers while attracting new ones. Connect and Surf^® and ClearVision work together to automate subscriber activation freeing your customers from entering technical information that is confusing and of little significance to them. Connect and Surf^® eliminates gateway preprovisioning of subscriber credentials (e.g. PPPoE and PPPoA), Internet connectivity, IPTV, or any other service that you wish to deploy. If the gateway ever returns to factory defaults ClearVision will restore the configuration information so that the subscriber can get back on-line quickly with all of their devices and services working as expected. If the gateway is ever physically damaged you can mail the subscriber a replacement gateway and again ClearVision will restore all of the configuration information effectively cloning the gateway.

Multi-vendor device management

It’s about choices – not mandates. By taking a standards-based approach to device management we are able to offer you new possibilities in broadband deployments without requiring you to procure proprietary gateways or networking devices.

The ClearAccess Advanced Data Services can be applied to any device that utilizes Internet access (e.g. PCs, Gaming Consoles, iPhones, and more). UDM™ enables you to offer and support thousands of home networking devices. When you combine these offerings with the Broadband Forum’s standards such as TR-098 (gateways), TR-135 (set-top boxes), TR-104 (IP Phones), and TR-140 (NAS devices) you will quickly be in a position to See More, Do More,
Be More ™.

Subscriber home networking and data services

The Control Panel offers the subscriber the ability to see a wholistic view of their network, including a complete list and status of all their home networking devices. Moreover, the Control Panel provides subscribers with do-it-yourself tools to help them setup, manage, and secure their home network like an IT professional. It also allows subscribers to activate and configure any ClearAccess Advanced Data Service (e.g. Content Filtering, Internet Time Blocking). Uniquely the service provider also has access to the subscriber’s Control Panel via ClearVision, which greatly simplifies remote troubleshooting.

Solutions

ClearVision offers a series of subscription and management service tools that allow you to operate more efficiently and profitably while satisfying your customers’ needs. The ClearVision Management System includes:

Connect and Surf^®

Quickly activate and configure your customers with Connect and Surf^®. Your customers are no longer required to install confusing setup tools from a CD or evaluate overly technical menus to configure their gateway. Plus, your staff will no longer need to preprovision CPEs prior to shipping. Connect and Surf^® accelerates broadband CPE deployment and results in fewer support calls, fewer truck rolls and reduced churn.

TR-069 Device Management

Proactively manage and maintain gateway and network health with an easy-to-use interface. All gateway software, including firmware, can be remotely upgraded by ClearVision, without user intervention. TR-069 device management improves operational efficiency.

Rolling out IPTV is easier with ClearAccess. No longer are end users required to send their gateways back to you to be reconfigured for IPTV. Our gateways can be remotely configured with the ClearVision Management System to support numerous IPTV configurations and multiple set top boxes.

Advanced Data Services

Offer your customers an array of high-demand, easy to use services that keep your customer in the pink and your books in the black. With just the click of a button you can start generating new revenue today.

Standards-driven

Our strict adherence to the standards offers you additional freedom and choice. ClearAccess is proud of our involvement with leading standards bodies such as the Broadband Forum. Our contributions and voice helps drive new innovations so that your company can rapidly deploy standards-based managed broadband services to your subscribers. To ensure that your deployment is successful, the ClearAccess Compatibility Program validates interoperability of third-party CPE with the ClearVision Management System so that you don’t have to.

The diagram below highlights the relevant Broadband Forum standards that can be used to better manage todays connected home. To obtain more information on any particular standard simply click on the appropriate heading.